There are plenty of better ways to use your tax refund than spending all of it on something that will only bring fleeting enjoyment rather than enduring wealth. Find out how to use at least some of it in smart strategies to improve your financial future.

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You may be one of many Australians who make an interest-free loan to the federal government every year. That’s because, when you receive a tax refund, you’re not getting free money. All that’s happening is that cash which is rightfully yours is being returned, somewhat late. So it makes sense to make it work as hard as possible once it’s back in your hands.

You could, of course, simply spend all of your refund on updating your phone or taking a holiday, but while that may be fun, it’s not particularly smart. A much better idea is to use at least some of your refund in a way that will help you to afford more than one holiday and new phone in the future.

Eight financially savvy ways to use your tax refund

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This article provides a checklist of records that property investors need to keep for tax purposes.

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It’s the same time every year but it seems that no matter how prepared investors are for June 30, when it comes to gathering up the necessary documentation to complete tax returns, this exercise creates more stress than it should.

This process can be made much easier if proper methods of record-keeping are put in place – and the best part is that once you have your system in place, it should work every year.

To make tax time easier this year, all you need are a few manila folders marked with the following:

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Property can be an exciting element to add to your investment portfolio. But aside from the initial purchase, what other ongoing expenses may you find yourself paying? And which of these expenses can you claim as a tax deduction? {tab title="Introduction"}

It is no secret that Australians love investing in property. And while it can be an exciting prospect, it is essential to consider the finer details before jumping in, especially any ongoing costs and expenses you’ll have to pay. 

Investment property tax deductions

It is vital that you’re aware of what you can and cannot claim as a tax deduction as a landlord. 

For starters, did you know there is a difference between repairs and maintenance completed on the property versus improvements made? 

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With many ‘safe’ investments such as term deposits offering very low interest rates, more people are turning to the share market in pursuit of higher returns. For new share investors this means understanding not only the risk profile of share investments, but also the different ways in which the returns on shares are taxed.

Jane is one such investor. Looking for a combination of steady income and the potential for capital growth, she recently purchased a portfolio of shares in major companies with a good history of paying regular dividends. Soon she’ll begin to enjoy receiving dividends and she’s already following the performance of her shares via daily finance reports. But how will her investment income be taxed?

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