Tax Saved Is Not Money Made

Tax Saved Is Not Money Made

Ask Mai & Send Feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602582/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Mai and Lee break down one of the most common misconceptions at tax time:  “If I spend money, I’ll get it all back in tax.” With the end of financial year approaching, many business owners and individuals fall into the same trap. That is, making rushed purchases purely for a deduction, without considering the actual return. This episode cuts through that thinking. Mai unpacks why tax deductions don’t work the way most people assume, and why the real goal isn’t to reduce tax at all costs. It’s to make financially sound decisions that deliver a return. From understanding your effective tax rate to making strategic investment decisions, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating EOFY planning. In this episode, Mai talks about: * How your notional (average) tax rate determines what you actually get back * The EOFY “spending frenzy” mindset * The $20,000 instant asset write-off threshold and when it applies * Why buying assets you don’t need destroys cash flow and ROI * A smarter alternative: using super contributions to reduce tax and build long-term wealth * What deductions are most commonly missed (travel, WFH, self-education and more) * Why record-keeping is critical to substantiating claims Spending money for the sake of a deduction can leave you worse off. Mai encourages you to do a sense-check before any EOFY decision: “Would I do this on 1 July?” If you're unsure what EOFY strategies actually make sense for your situation, reach out to Mai on Instagram at the_maiharris or submit your questions 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.

Tax-Effective Investing After The Budget

Ask Mai & Send Feedback [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602582/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Mai and Lee tackle one of the biggest questions coming out of the recent Federal Budget: what investments still make sense when the rules are changing? There’s a lot of noise right now. Changes to the proposed 50% CGT discount, restrictions on negative gearing, and potential new minimum tax rules for trusts. It’s no surprise investors are feeling uncertain. But this episode isn’t about fear. It’s about refocusing on what still works and how to adjust your strategy without stepping back from building wealth. Mai breaks down what’s actually changing, what’s still available, and why the key isn’t to stop investing, but to invest smarter, with the right structure and advice. In this episode, Mai talks about: * The proposed removal of the 50% CGT discount and what it really means in practice * Why a gain is still a gain, even with higher tax, and how to rethink long-term strategy * What’s still eligible for negative gearing (including new builds and commercial property) * The impact of proposed trust changes and why bucket company strategies may be less effective * How double taxation could affect family trust structures under new rules * Why SMSFs remain one of the most powerful investment vehicles (and what’s still allowed) * How property, super, and business investments are likely to shift moving forward * Why investing in active assets (like businesses) still provides strong CGT advantages * How the SRS framework (Structure, Risk, Sequencing) applies to new investment decisions * The Identify, Reallocate, Structure framework to help investors adapt quickly This episode is a reminder that while the rules may change, wealth-building opportunities don’t disappear, they evolve. If you’re unsure how these changes affect your current structure or future plans, now is the time to get clarity and build a strategy that works under the new rules. 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.

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.

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.