The Warmer & Longer Days are Coming!

With Daylight Savings starting this weekend, everyone in Victoria will have something to look forward to with extra daylight after work to enjoy outside.

There’s no doubt that everyone appears happier and more excited when this time of the year arrives, as we all know that the better weather is not too far away.
A modern vector editorial illustration representing legislative complexity and expert guidance. In the center, an organized pathway winding through a labyrinth made of floating documents, budget line items, and legislative puzzle pieces. A warm, glowing guidepost leads the way toward a clear, bright horizon. Soft textures, rich navy, sage green, and warm ochre color palette, clean modern aesthetic for a professional business newsletter header, minimalist and balanced.

Chris has returned safely, 2 kgs slimmer and tanned from his recent trip to Thailand as part of the entourage of 32 riders across Australia and New Zealand supporting Hands Across the Water’s (“Hands”) 500 km in 5 days charitable fundraising bike ride.

A modern vector editorial illustration representing legislative complexity and expert guidance. In the center, an organized pathway winding through a labyrinth made of floating documents, budget line items, and legislative puzzle pieces. A warm, glowing guidepost leads the way toward a clear, bright horizon. Soft textures, rich navy, sage green, and warm ochre color palette, clean modern aesthetic for a professional business newsletter header, minimalist and balanced.

The actual total was 533 km, and they experienced riding in the hot, humid climate and also through monsoonal downpours, which created rivers on the roads they were riding on. 
A modern vector editorial illustration representing legislative complexity and expert guidance. In the center, an organized pathway winding through a labyrinth made of floating documents, budget line items, and legislative puzzle pieces. A warm, glowing guidepost leads the way toward a clear, bright horizon. Soft textures, rich navy, sage green, and warm ochre color palette, clean modern aesthetic for a professional business newsletter header, minimalist and balanced.

The water was pouring down their backs, and they were absolutely drenched and covered in mud, but smiling and happy that they all completed the task whilst raising over $200,000 for the children supported by this amazing charity.
A modern vector editorial illustration representing legislative complexity and expert guidance. In the center, an organized pathway winding through a labyrinth made of floating documents, budget line items, and legislative puzzle pieces. A warm, glowing guidepost leads the way toward a clear, bright horizon. Soft textures, rich navy, sage green, and warm ochre color palette, clean modern aesthetic for a professional business newsletter header, minimalist and balanced.

They were privileged to have Claire Baines, the awesome woman behind the founder of Hands, Peter Baines, join then on the last day to Yasathon and Home Hug.
A modern vector editorial illustration representing legislative complexity and expert guidance. In the center, an organized pathway winding through a labyrinth made of floating documents, budget line items, and legislative puzzle pieces. A warm, glowing guidepost leads the way toward a clear, bright horizon. Soft textures, rich navy, sage green, and warm ochre color palette, clean modern aesthetic for a professional business newsletter header, minimalist and balanced.

To date, their efforts with this Business Network - Business Blueprint - have raised $3,000,000 since 2012. He is already looking forward to the next ride in 2028!
A modern vector editorial illustration representing legislative complexity and expert guidance. In the center, an organized pathway winding through a labyrinth made of floating documents, budget line items, and legislative puzzle pieces. A warm, glowing guidepost leads the way toward a clear, bright horizon. Soft textures, rich navy, sage green, and warm ochre color palette, clean modern aesthetic for a professional business newsletter header, minimalist and balanced.
A modern vector editorial illustration representing legislative complexity and expert guidance. In the center, an organized pathway winding through a labyrinth made of floating documents, budget line items, and legislative puzzle pieces. A warm, glowing guidepost leads the way toward a clear, bright horizon. Soft textures, rich navy, sage green, and warm ochre color palette, clean modern aesthetic for a professional business newsletter header, minimalist and balanced.

Thank you to Ange, the Ceebeks Team, The Team at Body Blitzer, the Rotary Club of Warrnambool Daybreak and the many people who have donated and supported me on this journey. You have changed the lives of those children and mine in so many ways, and for this I am truly forever grateful!
A modern vector editorial illustration representing legislative complexity and expert guidance. In the center, an organized pathway winding through a labyrinth made of floating documents, budget line items, and legislative puzzle pieces. A warm, glowing guidepost leads the way toward a clear, bright horizon. Soft textures, rich navy, sage green, and warm ochre color palette, clean modern aesthetic for a professional business newsletter header, minimalist and balanced.

Hopefully, by now, you have your plans for 2026 implemented and are working hard to achieve them. If you are still struggling to get started, please give us a call or check out January's edition of Taking Care of Your Business to see how we do it to get some ideas.

CGT Valuations Before 1st July 2027

Under the CGT reforms, each CGT asset held by an individual or trust will be taken to be sold and reacquired just before 1 July 2027 for its market value just before that date, or the taxpayer may be able to use an approved apportioning method.

There is no requirement to obtain a market valuation by or on 1 July 2027. The choice to use market value or apply the apportioning method (if available) does not have to be made until the day the tax return for the income year in which the asset is sold is lodged.

We are concerned about clients feeling pressured to rush out and spend money to get a valuation in advance. An advance valuation is merely a forecast which the ATO has indicated will not be accepted as evidence of the asset’s market value just before 1 July 2027. If you or your clients are being pressed to lock in a valuation before 1 July 2027, ask: who benefits?

However, this does not mean that obtaining a valuation should be deferred indefinitely. As an asset may not be sold until many years later, it may be best to obtain a valuation soon after 1 July 2027, rather than decades later. When obtaining a valuation, use only a reputable or registered valuer, and be wary of approaches by spruikers and dodgy apps.
Write an informative advisory email for our accounting firm's clients explaining the upcoming CGT (Capital Gains Tax) valuation guidelines before 1 July 2027. Reassure clients that they do not need to rush out or spend money on an advance market valuation before this date. Explain that advance valuations are merely forecasts that the ATO will not accept. Clarify that the choice between market value and the approved apportioning method isn't required until the tax return for the sale year is lodged. Advise them to wait until soon after 1 July 2027 to engage a reputable or registered valuer, and warn them against high-pressure spruikers or unverified apps. Keep the tone professional, protective, and clear. Note: audience is from australia

More Australians making use of downsizer contributions.

The ATO has reported that around 123,000 individuals have made 'downsizer super contributions' since the scheme commenced in 2018, contributing more than $31 billion to super funds.

Broadly, where the various requirements are satisfied, eligible individuals aged 55 years or older can contribute up to $300,000 from the sale of their home into super.

Eligible couples may be able to contribute up to $600,000 combined.
A close-up shot of a polished timber desk in a modern Australian financial planning office. Resting flat on the desk is a minimalist brushed brass plaque engraved with the words:

ATO busts common myths under the cents per kilometre method

A high-end automotive lifestyle photograph of a clean, modern white sedan parked beside a sleek modern office building in Sydney. Positioned neatly on the ground next to the front wheel is a stylish black metal A-frame sandwich board display. Printed cleanly in white text on the board is:

The ATO has highlighted several misconceptions that commonly lead to incorrect claims under the cents per kilometre method for claiming deductions for car expenses.  

Common errors include: 

  • Claiming travel between home and work, which is generally private and nondeductible; 

  • Automatically claiming 5,000 kilometres without the appropriate records (for example, being unable to show how the business kilometres were worked out); 

  • Claiming car expenses for a vehicle provided under a novated lease through a salary sacrifice arrangement; 

  • Separately claiming the decline in value of a car and other expenses when using the cents per kilometre method; and 

  • Using both the cents per kilometre and logbook methods for different periods during the income year. 


NOTE: Trips can be recorded using the myDeductions tool in the ATO app. The app offers three tracking options: point-to-point, GPS and odometer.
Reach out to the Team on 03-55612643 today if you have any concerns about this.

Do you need some accountability, extra motivation and guidance in 2027?

If so, reach out, and we can make you part of our new monthly Accountability Group of like-minded business owners who want to succeed and excel. We can also show you how our business coaching program - Chasers Getting ResultsTM - works if you really want to take your business to the next level!.

REACH OUT HERE
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Looking to start a business?
Get a copy of our latest book before you do to fast-track your success.

Or looking to grow your business in these tougher economic times?

Both books are for any aspiring entrepreneur who wants to grow their business and to understand what to look out for and avoid when they start their business, too!
ORDER HERE
 
 

The next Chasers Mastermind for 2026 commences on Friday 9th of October for those business owners who want to build a better business and be held accountable for the critical tasks that they want to implement to move forward and closer to achieving greater success.

Learn all of the essential components that make a successful business really take off!

Your investment in this program will be $100 plus GST per week. You will be able to focus on specific areas for your business that need attention, collaborate on ideas and strategies in a group learning environment and share what’s working.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you have not yet left a review for us on our Google Reviews, then now is the chance to do this and get 12 chances of winning a luxury 3-night holiday in Tropical Mackay in North Queensland. That’s right! By simply scanning this QR Code and following the instructions we will enter you in the monthly draw to win.


The winners so far in 2026/27 were:

  • July - Helen Hadden

  • August - KD Mackey

  • Sep - Connor Guy-Smith

October's winner was:

If you are not successful in previous months, you will be automatically re-entered for the following month giving you up to 12 possible chances of winning this awesome holiday. As soon as you leave a review our Team will be notified and will enter your name in the draw. - Good luck!

The latest edition of our National Award-Winning Magazine – No. 25 - is now published and available for you to read. It features heaps of educational tips and ideas on how to increase the value of each transaction on products or services you sell to your customers, an inspiring story about our featured Chaser’s new entrepreneurs - Nut (Tar) Malarath from Madala 134 Thai Restaurant, and a brilliant article by Peter Baines OAM, the CEO and Founder of the awesome charity - Hands Across the Water, on how charitable giving can become a profit centre for your business, instead of being viewed as a cost centre.
CLICK HERE TO READ AND SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
 

Don’t forget to check out our latest podcast episodes on The Chasers Channel. The most recent episode 109 features a discussion about Your Company Work Ute is Not Exempt from Fringe Benefits Tax.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

We release a new episode every Sunday, so make sure you follow our podcast to get the latest news, tips and strategies for bringing you closer to achieving the dreams you are chasing.
 

Key Dates October 2026


Pay annual PAYG (Pay As You Go) instalment notice (Form N). Monthly activity statements (BAS/IAS) for September are also typically due on this date (or 21st of the month).


Lodge and pay Quarter 1 (July–September 2026) activity statement if lodging by paper or electronically (standard non-agent due date). 
 

  • Combined global and domestic minimum tax return and GloBE Information Return due for applicable fiscal years.

  • Due date for certain superannuation fund returns (e.g., if advised by the ATO or if prior-year returns were outstanding as of 30 June 2026).

  • Deadline for tax agents to add new clients or lodge prior-year overdue returns to secure agent program concessions. 


(Shifted from 31 October due to the weekend): Nominal deadline for self-prepared 2025–26 individual and sole trader income tax returns.

$20,000 instant asset write-off made permanent
A modern Australian accounting office setting photographed with a shallow depth of field. On a sleek Tasmanian oak wooden desk in the foreground rests an elegant, black framed sign board with crisp white lettering that reads:

From 1 July 2026, the $20,000 instant asset write-off has been made permanent for small businesses. 

Businesses with an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million may be able to claim an immediate deduction for the business portion of an eligible depreciating asset costing less than $20,000 in the year the asset is first used or installed and ready for use.
Reach out to the Team on 03-55612643 today if you have any concerns about this.