Why You Need a Wealth Manager (Or… Don’t Try This at Home)
Beyond Wealth Why You Need a Wealth Manager (Or... Don't Try This at Home) By Anthony Starkins, Executive Director, First Samuel 15 September 2026 You, your partner and your family will need income and capital to live on in the future; sourced from the income and capital you have today. That ‘future’ is during your […]
SMSF and Superannuation Changes 2026: What the Government Reforms Mean
On 18 August 2026, the federal government released a policy document, “Protecting Consumers and the Promise of Superannuation in an Evolving Financial Ecosystem,” outlining a suite of reforms targeting three areas: self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) protections, harmful lead generation practices, and the broader financial advice framework. If delivered upon, the changes respond to growing concern […]
SMSF vs Industry Super Fund: Which Is Right for You?
Australians choosing between an Self Managed Superannuation Fund and an industry superannuation fund face a trade-off. Industry funds are cheaper and require zero effort, but come with pooled, non-optimised tax outcomes, embedded CGT liabilities, opaque franking credit distribution, and, as recent ASIC findings confirm, a plethora of administrative and governance issues. The latter includes sometimes […]
Selling a Small Business: Six Things to Get Right
Selling a small business is usually the largest single financial event of an owner’s life. Get it right and it repays debt, funds retirement, assists intergenerational transitions and leaves a legacy. Get it wrong and years of goodwill creation evaporate into an avoidable tax bill or a deal that unravels under pressure. Six factors deserve […]
Estate Planning Wisdom: Seven Critical Factors
Why Advice, Not Assumption, Protects Your Legacy Estate planning is frequently reduced, in the public mind, to “getting a will done.” That is a necessary step, but it is the least sophisticated and only part of a properly constructed plan. Good estate planning is an exercise in structuring, timing, and intent. Getting professional advice on each […]
Beyond the Headlines: What the Post-Budget Tax Changes Mean for Investors, Trusts and SMSFs
Since the federal budget was delivered the Treasurer and Prime Minister have announced a number of changes to a) try to quell the swell of negativity and b) appease the anti-investment instincts of the Greens in the Senate. That is not to say that there will not be more changes before it all becomes law. […]
Australia’s Proposed Capital Gains Tax Changes: What Investors Need to Know
The Australian Government’s recent Federal Budget has introduced sweeping proposed reforms to the capital gains tax (CGT) system, representing the most significant overhaul in decades. While not yet legislated, the changes are expected to reshape investment behaviour, particularly in property and financial markets. This article explains how the proposed system will work, who will be […]