We are pleased to announce the creation of Butlers Financial Services (amalgamated from Cigna Financial Services) within our office as  a full service Financial Planning Practise complimenting Butlers Accountants.

As head planner,Brendan Collins has over  20 years Accounting and Taxation experience and now has  full Financial Planning qualifications with an SMSF Specialisation  from the UNSW.

The start of a new year is a perfect opportunity to put your financial house in order. It is a great time to start planning and monitoring your financial and tax affairs for the year ahead.

If you would like a full review of your Financial Affairs including Insurance ( Personal Life, Income Protection and  Trauma), Investment Strategies, Estate Planning and Super/Retirement Planning then please contact Meg Roessler (Client Services) on 55362288 to arrange a review.

Smart Pups is a Queensland based non profit charity training dogs for special needs children. These dogs are trained for Autism Assistance, Seisure Response Dogs, Medical Alert and for Mobility Assistance. During 2016, Butlers Accountants wants to raise enough money to provide one dog for a special family. From March, you will have the option to donate to our great cause on the bottom of your invoice. All donations are tax deductible and a receipt will be provided by Smart pups. Read more about the amazing work of  Smart Pups here.

New research has found over half SMSF Trustees have significantly inadequate estate planning provisions in place.

The CBA and SMSF Association recently produced an informative report "Women and SMSF's" highlighting  that over half of SMSF's dont have an updated Will or Succession Plan. The report revealed 78% of SMSF's have a Will and only 49% were up-to-date.

Given the complexity of Funds, the complexity of the inter-relationship between wills and trust deeds, the incidents of blended families, this is a complex area that you need  good solid advice.

Some questions to consider are:

1.Have you got an enduring power of attorney ?

2. Who are the Trustees of your SMSF?

3. Do you have a binding nomination in place ?

4. Are you aware of the Tax consequences of your death?

If you would like to read the "Women and SMSF" report, download it here

21 March -  February Activity Statements due

31 March - Company and Superfund Tax Returns and Payments  with total income in excess of $2 million,.

Tax Returns for Individuals and Trusts that were tax level 6 in the last year lodged.

Fringe Benefits Tax (Runs from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016) - FBT is a tax paid by employers for benefits paid to employees in lieu of wages. This is a separate tax and is calculated on the taxable value of the fringe benefit provided.