Think outside the square by Peter Power

When sourcing finance for whatever reason don't restrict your search to the big 4 (ANZ, CBA, NAB & WBC). There are a myriad of financiers available outside the big 4 that may better suit your circumstances and/or offer more attractive terms.

With any finance application you will need to fall within the credit policy of the respective lenders.

Do you have more than one employer by Peter Power

If you have two or more jobs you can claim only one tax free threshold to avoid being undertaxed. If you claim the tax free threshold with more than one employer the danger is that your second and subsequent employer will withhold inadequate tax leaving you with an unwanted tax debt at the time of completing your tax return.

It is best to claim the tax free threshold from your primary employer.

Due date for September 2010 quarter BAS/IAS

Due date for lodgement and payment of September 2010 quarter BAS/IAS is the 28 October 2010. If completed and lodged via 3 Dimensions this is extended to the 11 November 2010.

Testing Microsoft Feeds for 3D Clients

Test Blog

Super Co-contribution by Peter Power

We have had a number of queries in respect to eligibility to the Federal Government's superannuation co-contribution.

You may be eligible for the super co-contribution if all of the following apply:
you make an eligible personal super contribution by 30 June each year into a complying super fund or RSA and don't claim a deduction for all of it
your total income (minus any allowable business deductions) is less than the higher income threshold
10% or more of your total income is attributable to eligible employment-related activities, carrying on a business or a combination of both
you are less than 71 years old at the end of the year of income
you are not the holder of a temporary visa at any time during the income year, unless you are a New Zealand citizen or holder of a prescribed visa
you lodge your income tax return for the relevant income year.
Source: http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc=/content/42616.htm&page=3&H3

Childcare Tax Rebate by Peter Power

Remenber there is a 50 percent childcare tax rebate available for parents who place their children in approved care. This rebate is based on your out-of-pocket expenses up to a maximum threshold. This rebate is dependent on your eligibility for childcare benefits and this eligibility is based on an income test which is higher than the income test for family tax benefits. This rebate is paid quarterly or annually.

Tailored Finance Solutions by Peter Power

3 Dimensions has had a very positive response to our letter to clients advising of our tailored finance solutions. We are achieving very positive outcomes for clients and will continue to provide updates via our blog, including case studies. All names and facts will be altered to protect privacy.

Housing Affordability bu Paul Lam

Why are houses so unaffordable? When I bought my first house, the ratio of the cost of the property to my income was 1.8 times. I was working for 5 years after graduating from uni and on an average salary. These days that ratio is 5.5 - 6 times. Last year, Melbourne property prices rose average of 10%? So why hasn't anything been done about the spiralling house price? How are the young going to afford to buy their own property? Seem like this is not a fashionable topic. It did not even rate highly in the last Federal elections.

Preparing your income tax, BAS and FBT returns - Paul Lam

Just forwarding reminder from ATO that they are cross referencing data from various authorities and matching their information to your returns eg motor vehicle purchases and disposals, transfer of properties etc to ensure that income tax, GST and FBT are correctly accounted for.

My observations of the financial markets - Paul Lam

These are just my personal comments and should not be contrued as financial advice.

Lately since the GFC I have noticed that there has been a shift in thinking about stock markets.  Comments like "Time in the Market" is generally since as more appropriate than "Timing the Market", but lately financial analysts and commentators are affirming the latter. In today's newspaper, there is an article comparing the market capitalisation of the several world markets eg S&P 500, FTSE index and our S&P/ASX200 and apart from the Australian market, the capitalisation of the US and UK has not changed in the past decade and 10 years is not a short investment time frame.

Education tax offset by Peter

Just a reminder that the education tax offset is only available to families entitled to Part A Family Tax Benefits through Centrelink.

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check out the ATO site - http://www.ato.gov.au/