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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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

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.

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What happens when a long-term business owner walks in feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and ready to shut everything down?

In this episode of the My Accounting Advantage podcast, Mai Harris takes us behind the scenes of a powerful real‑life case study that highlights the impact of seeking the right advice at the right time. What began as a conversation about exiting a business became an opportunity to reduce tax, protect wealth, and rebuild confidence, saving a client $17,500 in tax in just 90 minutes, and restoring much‑needed clarity and calm.

In one focused meeting, a business owner considering an exit discovered that with the right sequencing and thoughtful planning, she could exit calmly, protect what she had worked decades to build, and make decisions that supported her long‑term financial goals, rather than reacting under pressure.

Mai walks through how the business exit was carefully structured, how costly mistakes were avoided, and how strategic use of small business CGT concessions and superannuation contributions transformed what felt like a failure into a well‑planned, tax‑effective transition.

In this episode, Mai covers:

• The often‑unseen emotional toll of running a business when things aren’t going well
• How and when to exit a business without rushing costly decisions
• Why timing and sequencing matter when closing a business
• The CGT exemptions available to eligible business owners
• How superannuation contributions (including carried‑forward caps) can significantly reduce tax
• Why acting without advice can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars
  How the right plan can not only protect your wealth, but help you build toward your long‑term financial goals

Before making any big financial moves, business or otherwise, pause and speak to an advisor who understands your bigger picture and how it will work together. What feels urgent today may look very different with the right strategy in place.

Mai has created a practical checklist to help you make informed decisions before acting. To get your copy:

• Visit myaccountingadvantage.com.au
• DM “Checklist” on Instagram @the_maiharris

Learn more about My Accounting Advantage

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.

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In this episode, Mai and Lee explore why so many investment mistakes aren’t caused by bad opportunities, but by doing things in the wrong order. From property purchases to business decisions, excitement often takes over before the right groundwork is done.

Mai introduces her SRS decision‑making framework: Structure, Risk, and Sequencing. It is a practical way to slow down, remove emotion, and make investment decisions that actually support long‑term goals. The discussion highlights how people often commit to major investments before understanding ownership structures, cash‑flow impact, or long‑term consequences.

Using real‑world examples, including property purchases, family trusts, SMSFs, land tax traps, and stamp duty mistakes, this episode shows why pausing and planning first can save significant stress, money, and regret later on.

In this episode, Mai talks about:

• Why most investment mistakes are really sequencing failures
• The SRS framework: Structure, Risk, and Sequencing
• Why structure should always be decided before buying an investment
• Common risks people overlook, including land tax and gearing implications
• How emotion and excitement can derail rational decision‑making
• SMSF and trust limitations many investors only discover too late
• Why aligning investments with lifestyle and cash flow matters more than hype

This episode is a reminder to slow down, ask better questions, and make decisions in the right order. With the right framework, investment decisions become clearer, calmer, and far more effective.

If you’d like a copy of Mai’s SRS framework, DM the word SRS on Instagram at @the_maiharris.

You can also submit questions or topic ideas via the Ask Mai linked at the top of the show notes.

Learn more about My Accounting Advantage

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.

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In this episode, Lee and Mai unpack a big mindset shift for business owners and individuals alike: why paying down your home loan isn’t always the best return on investment (ROI).

They explore how ROI applies to everyday financial decisions — from mortgages and offset accounts to superannuation and long‑term wealth strategies — and challenge the common belief that throwing every spare dollar at your home loan is always the smartest move.

The conversation also dives into self‑managed super funds (SMSFs), family pooling strategies, and how super can be used not just for retirement — but as a powerful wealth‑building and debt‑elimination tool.

In this episode, Mai talks about:

• What return on investment really means in everyday financial decisions
• Why paying down your mortgage or offsetting interest can cap your returns
• How tax savings should be viewed as part of your ROI
• Why superannuation is one of the most tax‑effective investment vehicles available
• How concessional super contributions can outperform mortgage repayments
• The difference between accumulation and pension phase in super
• How SMSFs can invest in property and generate tax‑free income after age 60
• Common traps to avoid when selling assets inside super

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re parking your money in the right place, this episode will change the way you think about cash, tax, and long‑term planning.

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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.