Duncan Hughes

Melbourne

Reporter at Australian Financial Review

Senior Journalist at Australian Financial Review

Finance Journalist at The Golden Times

Articles

Property tax trap warning as ATO targets valuations

3 weeks ago | thegoldentimes.com.au | Duncan Hughes

Low-balling investment property valuations for SMSFs with an account balance close or just over $3 million to lower tax liabilities or qualify for increased concessions could set a tax trap for unwary self-funded retirees, tax experts warn as owners prepare their annual tax returns. The strategy used to reduce future Division 296 tax on unrealised gains, land tax thresholds or wealth-based levies could result in hefty, backdated tax bills and possible audit risk, they warn.
Green bonds enjoying fresh shoots despite US pushback on ESG

4 weeks ago | ioandc.com | Duncan Hughes

Green bond issuance has shrugged off a volatile first quarter and is set for a bumper year, despite the pushback from the Trump administration and US markets, according to bond specialists. AXA Investment Managers (AIM), which has $AU1.47 trillion under management, of which $824 billion is invested in environmental, social and governance (ESG) related, sustainable or impact investments, expects green bond issuance to reach a record $900 billion this year, driven by strong growth in Europe.
Five ways to maximise new tax break to boost retirement income

1 month ago | thegoldentimes.com.au | Duncan Hughes

Retirees and those nearing retirement with $1.9 million in super can boost their pension account by an extra $100,000 to $2 million when the limit is lifted from July 1, providing an opportunity to increase income and improve financial security. Those with $1.76 million in their income account can increase contributions by an additional $360,000 by maximising the bring-forward rules under the new caps, according to financial advisers.
Australian mining, energy stocks hearing the siren call of Canada

1 month ago | ioandc.com | Duncan Hughes

Increased demand for key commodities from gold to critical minerals is set to maintain record numbers of Australian mining and energy companies listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) – Canada’s largest stock exchange – this year, according to exchange officials.
Grey divorces hit record high as wives decide it's time to split

1 month ago | thegoldentimes.com.au | Duncan Hughes

Record numbers of older Australians are seeking advice about divorce, with women leading men in the number of inquiries about living alone, particularly over their concerns about superannuation, according to research.
Proposed tax changes to 'hit' the well-heeled and the low paid

1 month ago | ioandc.com | Duncan Hughes

The nation’s wealthiest and lowest-paid employees are being warned to brace for a superannuation shake-up affecting how much they can save for their retirement. The changes could affect millions of super savers, increase the system’s complexity, lead to lower savings and, in some cases, increase reliance on the age pension, critics warn.
Owners fear retirement means loss of family business: NAB report

1 month ago | thegoldentimes.com.au | Duncan Hughes

About half of all small and medium-sized business owners fear retirement will mean the closure or sale of their business rather than its transfer to a family member, according to analysis by NAB, the nation’s largest business bank. But only one-third have devised a retirement strategy, or considered the complex tax, legal and family issues involved in finding a successor or selling the business to someone outside the family, the analysis shows.
Looming super tax change prompting high-net-worth rethink

1 month ago | insideadviser.com.au | Duncan Hughes

Investment strategists are reviewing high-net-worth client portfolios and readying for major changes to the treatment of superannuation following the Albanese government’s landslide election victory. Strategies being considered for dealing with an expected increased tax on the earnings of superannuation accounts with more than $3 million range from asset-splitting between spouses to increased use of discretionary trusts and investment companies.
Looming super tax change prompting high-net-worth rethink

1 month ago | thegoldentimes.com.au | Duncan Hughes

Investment strategists are reviewing high-net-worth client portfolios and readying for major changes to the treatment of superannuation following the Albanese Government’s landslide election victory. Strategies being considered for dealing with an expected increased tax on the earnings of superannuation accounts with more than $3 million range from asset splitting between spouses to increased use of discretionary trusts and investment companies.
Ageing seniors with SMSFs are ‘at risk’ from family, advisers

1 month ago | thegoldentimes.com.au | Duncan Hughes

Self-managed super fund (SMSF) members with declining mental capacity, typically because of ageing, are creating a “honey pot” for unscrupulous family members or advisers, according to investment specialists and lawyers. Anna Hacker, client director for Pitcher Partners in Melbourne, warns that failure to protect the fund assets of affected members is often the “big missing piece” from estate advice intended to protect members at risk of making the wrong decision.