What The Federal Budget Means For Landlords And Small Business

Directors’ Loans Explained

Ask Mai & Send Feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602582/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Mai and Lee unpack one of the most misunderstood areas of running a company: director’s loans. While many business owners see this account in their financials, very few truly understand how it works, or how costly it can become if handled incorrectly. Mai breaks down what a director’s loan actually is, why it exists, and how it’s often used to record personal spending through the business. More importantly, she explains how Division 7A rules come into play, and why they’re designed to stop business owners from accessing company funds without paying the right amount of tax. In this episode, Mai talks about: * The purpose of a director’s loan and why it appears in your accounts *  How Division 7A applies to money taken from your company *  What happens when a director’s loan becomes a deemed dividend *  How unpaid balances can significantly increase your personal tax liability *  Why treating your business like a personal ATM creates problems *  When and how you can use a director’s loan to manage short-term cash flow *  What a Division 7A loan agreement is and when it should be put in place *  How to structure your income (wages vs drawings) to manage tax effectively *  Why timing plays a key role in when and how you pay tax This episode is a reminder that understanding how you take money out of your business is just as important as how you make it. When used correctly, tools like director’s loans can provide flexibility and control, but without the right advice, they can quickly turn into one of the most expensive mistakes a business owner makes. If you’d like a copy of Mai’s Director’s Loan Compliance Checklist, DM the word Loan on Instagram at @the_maiharris. You can also submit questions or topic ideas via the Ask Mai link at the top of the show notes. Learn more about My Accounting Advantage [https://myaccountingadvantage.com.au/] Disclaimer The advice contained in this presentation is general in nature only and should not be acted on without first seeking professional advice. Your personal circumstances have not been taken into account, and you should consider the appropriateness of the advice to your individual needs.

What The Federal Budget Means For Landlords And Small Business

Ask Mai & Send Feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602582/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Mai and Lee break down the key announcements from the latest Federal Budget. Importantly, they explore what these changes actually mean for business owners, property investors, and everyday Australians. With headlines creating panic and confusion, this episode cuts through the noise to focus on what matters and what actions should be taken. Mai walks through the three major proposed changes dominating the conversation: the removal of the 50% Capital Gains Tax (CGT) discount, changes to negative gearing, and new rules around the taxation of family trusts.  Mai unpacks how negative gearing currently works, why many “investors” are actually everyday Australians taking on risk, and what removing these incentives could mean for housing supply, rental prices, and borrowing capacity. The conversation also explores how these changes may affect younger Australians trying to enter the market, and why the proposed reforms could have broader economic consequences beyond tax. In this episode, Mai talks about: * The proposed removal of the 50% CGT discount and shift to indexation *  How negative gearing currently works and why it exists *  What the changes mean for everyday property owners (not just “investors”) *  How borrowing capacity may be reduced without negative gearing benefits *  Why first-home buyers could be indirectly affected *  The proposed changes to family trust taxation and how income distribution may shift *  How these reforms could impact small business structures and cash flow flexibility *  Why policy changes like these can influence long-term investment decisions This episode is a timely reminder that not all headlines tell the full story. Before making any decisions, it’s critical to understand how proposed changes apply to your specific situation. If you’d like help understanding how these proposed changes may affect you, reach out to our team or speak with your accountant before taking action. You can also submit questions or topic ideas via the Ask Mai link at the top of the show notes. Learn more about My Accounting Advantage [https://myaccountingadvantage.com.au/] Disclaimer The advice contained in this presentation is general in nature only and should not be acted on without first seeking professional advice. Your personal circumstances have not been taken into account, and you should consider the appropriateness of the advice to your individual needs.

Your Biggest Business Problem Isn’t Your Structure. It’s Your Calendar.

Ask Mai & Send Feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602582/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Mai and Lee explore why so many business owners feel overwhelmed as their business grows, even when everything appears successful on the outside. The issue isn’t always structure, staffing, or systems. It’s how time is being managed day‑to‑day. Mai shares her own experience of reaching a point where growth no longer felt exciting, but instead felt heavy, reactive, and difficult to sustain. To address this, Mai introduces us to the DRIP framework: Delegate, Replace, Invest, and Produce. It’s a practical approach to help business owners regain control of their time, reduce bottlenecks, and build a business that can scale without relying entirely on them. Using real examples from her own business, Mai explains how small shifts, like auditing where your time goes, removing low‑value tasks, and structuring your calendar intentionally, can significantly increase capacity, productivity, and profitability. In this episode, Mai talks about: * The importance of completing a time and energy audit * How to identify and delegate low‑value tasks * Understanding your “buyback rate” and where your time is being misused * The replacement ladder and how to move from admin into leadership * Why most business owners are stuck working in the business instead of leading it * The role of investing in yourself to grow as a business owner * How simple systems and structured calendars create consistency across a team * Why a business that depends on you isn’t truly scalable This episode is a reminder that scaling a business isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing the right work at the right level. When you take control of your calendar, you create the capacity to lead, think strategically, and grow your business in a sustainable way. If you’d like a copy of Mai’s Replacement Ladder template, DM the word Ladder on Instagram at @the_maiharris. You can also submit questions or topic ideas via the Ask Mai link at the top of the show notes. Learn more about My Accounting Advantage [https://myaccountingadvantage.com.au/] Disclaimer The advice contained in this presentation is general in nature only and should not be acted on without first seeking professional advice. Your personal circumstances have not been taken into account, and you should consider the appropriateness of the advice to your individual needs.

Your Mortgage Is Not A Monster

Ask Mai & Send Feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602582/fan_mail/new] A $400,000 mortgage can sound terrifying on paper, until you zoom out and ask one simple question: What are you actually getting for the money? We work through a real client story of a couple in their late 50s who feel flat after a business downturn, even though they live in a home they love and have significant equity. The shift we want for you is practical and emotional: stop treating your mortgage like a monster and start treating it like a tool you can measure, manage and use well. We break down the fundamentals of an offset account in plain language, including why it can reduce home loan interest on a daily basis while keeping your cash accessible. We also compare offset accounts with redraw facilities, and explain how the same repayment can quietly pay down principal faster when less of it is being eaten by interest. If you have savings sitting idle, this section alone can change how you think about your home loan structure and your cash buffer. From there, we tackle the bigger idea: the cost of debt versus the cost of not having it. If your repayments are lower than the rent you would pay to live in the same house, you may already be “winning” while building equity. We also explore using home equity to invest, including the logic of borrowing at (say) 6% to aim for a higher return, plus the non-negotiables: understand the product, question any “guaranteed” return, and get advice on risk and suitability. We finish with the tax angle, including when interest on investment borrowing may be tax-deductible and why the details matter. If you want a clearer mortgage mindset, smarter cash flow and a more strategic approach to debt finance, hit play now. Subscribe for more, share this with a mate who is stressing about their home loan, and leave us a review. What is the one money belief you want to reframe this year? Learn more about My Accounting Advantage [https://myaccountingadvantage.com.au/] Disclaimer The advice contained in this presentation is general in nature only and should not be acted on without first seeking professional advice. Your personal circumstances have not been taken into account, and you should consider the appropriateness of the advice to your individual needs.

The Super Strategy Most People Miss

Ask Mai & Send Feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602582/fan_mail/new] As the end of the financial year approaches, superannuation remains one of the most powerful, and most commonly missed, tax planning strategies available. In this episode of the My Accounting Advantage podcast, Mai explains how the right superannuation strategies, implemented before 30 June, can materially reduce tax while supporting long‑term wealth creation.  She breaks down the difference between concessional and non‑concessional contributions, how salary sacrifice and top‑ups can be used strategically, and why tax savings should be viewed as a return on investment rather than a compliance outcome.  Mai also discusses when a self‑managed super fund may be appropriate, the responsibility and compliance involved, and why control over investment choices is often a key driver for business owners and investors. A key focus of the episode is the importance of tax planning before year‑end, including reviewing projected taxable income and identifying unused concessional contribution caps from prior years, a strategy that can unlock significant tax savings when cash flow allows. In this episode, Mai covers: * Why superannuation is one of the most underutilised tax planning tools * The difference between concessional and non‑concessional contributions * How salary sacrifice and member top‑ups reduce taxable income * When a self‑managed super fund may, or may not, be appropriate * The real cost and responsibility of running an SMSF * How carried‑forward concessional caps work * Why tax planning must occur before 30 June * The difference between tax processing and true advisory support Decisions made at EOFY without proper advice can’t always be undone. Taking the time to assess your position, understand your available strategies, and plan ahead can make a lasting difference, not only to your tax bill, but to your long‑term financial outcomes. Mai has created an information pack to help understand super contributions and EOFY strategies. To get your copy: * Visit myaccountingadvantage.com.au * DM “Super” on Instagram @the_maiharris Learn more about My Accounting Advantage [https://myaccountingadvantage.com.au/] Disclaimer The advice contained in this presentation is general in nature only and should not be acted on without first seeking professional advice. Your personal circumstances have not been taken into account, and you should consider the appropriateness of the advice to your individual needs.