TaxVibe

Divorce is hard enough without a surprise tax bill on top of it.

When a property settlement involves a family trust, a company, superannuation or an inheritance, the money side gets complicated fast – and it's rarely just a "tax" issue or just a "legal" issue alone. It's often both, tangled together.

In this episode of TaxVibe, Rachel Vijayaraj and Ankit Sharma talk through the traps that catch people off guard – the kind that can turn a settlement into an unexpected tax bill – and why getting the right advice early can make a real difference to the outcome. They also touch on collaborative family law as a less adversarial path through it all, and how upcoming tax changes could reshape the decisions people make along the way.

If you've ever wondered what actually happens to a family trust or a super account when a marriage ends, this one's worth a listen.

For more information about The Tax Institute: https://www.taxinstitute.com.au/

What happens when a rapidly evolving tech-driven world collides with the dense world of tax regulation?

In this episode of TaxVibe, The Tax Institute’s John Storey sits down with Simeon Duncan, Head of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy at Intuit, to unpack The Costs of Tax Complexity in a Tech World.

If you’ve been wondering how digital transformation, the "Uberisation" of tax, and emerging AI tools are reshaping everyday practice, this conversation cuts through the noise.

What you'll learn:
• AI vs. human judgement: Why cutting-edge tech enhances – rather than replaces – the trust and confidence behind expert tax advice.
• Smart Regulation: How policymakers can foster tech innovation without burdening practitioners and taxpayers with overly complex rules.
• Practical Tech Adoption: Why small businesses should start small with AI integration and scale up gradually.
• The Future of Practice: How flexible, outcome-focused policy can help small businesses stay competitive in an automated world.

For more information about The Tax Institute: https://www.taxinstitute.com.au/

This conversation explores the role of micro-credentials in professional education, particularly in the tax field. Murray Cassar and Deb Friel discuss the definition, advantages, and future of micro-credentials, emphasizing their flexibility, stackability, and relevance in today's fast-paced learning environment. They highlight the importance of micro-credentials for continuous professional development (CPD) and how they can serve as a bridge to traditional qualifications. The discussion also touches on assessment methods, the significance of digital badges, and the evolving landscape of learning in various industries.

For more information about The Tax Institute: https://www.taxinstitute.com.au/

In this episode of TaxVibe, host John Storey, Tax Counsel at The Tax Institute and Jonathan Ortner, FTI, Tax Partner at Arnold Bloch Leibler, discuss trusts - specifically the Family Trust Distribution Tax in Australia, and its complexities.

John and Jonathan delve into the origins of FTDT and the traps that can arise from misunderstandings of the rules. Their conversation highlights the negative consequences of mistakes in trust distributions, including significant tax liabilities and the role of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) in enforcing these rules. Additionally, in this episode Jonathan emphasises the need for fairness and clarity in tax policy.

For more information about The Tax Institute: https://www.taxinstitute.com.au/

You won't want to miss this bonus episode, where you'll get a sneak peek behind the closed doors of this week's member-only webinar: Federal Budget 2026–27 Reflections & Insights.

In the webinar, Tim Sandow, CTA, facilitates a panel of experts:

• Julie Abdalla, FTI, Head of Tax & Legal, The Tax Institute
• Jane Harris, CTA, Brown Wright Stein Lawyers
• Chris Jenkins, ATI, account.able advisory
  
  

You'll hear the first 20 minutes of the webinar, the panel discusses the recent Federal Budget, highlighting initial reactions, economic context, and implications for taxpayers. Key measures such as changes to the CGT discount and negative gearing are explored, with a focus on how these changes will affect client behavior and the broader economic landscape.

For a deeper dive into what the Budget means for you and your clients, and to access other member-only insights and resources, including the Federal Budget 2026-27 report, become a member of The Tax Institute. Learn more: https://www.taxinstitute.com.au/membership/benefits

For more information about The Tax Institute: https://www.taxinstitute.com.au/

In this episode of TaxVibe, John Storey, Tax Counsel at The Tax Institute talks with Randstad's finance recruitment expert Richard Kennedy and The Tax Institute's Director of Learning Sharon Smulders, about how to embark on and pursue a career in tax in the age of AI. Their conversations covered important issues that are impacting both professionals and students in today’s fast-paced and rapidly evolving tax world, and the impacts that technology is having on careers and study paths. 

For more information about The Tax Institute: https://www.taxinstitute.com.au/

In this episode of TaxVibe, Julie Abdalla, FTI, Head of Tax & Legal at The Tax Institute talks with Tony Frost, a seasoned tax professional turned leadership coach, exploring leadership, management, and career development in the tax industry. Discover practical insights on humility, communication, time management, and building a personal brand to excel in your career.

 About Tony 

Tony Frost in his first, 34-year career was one of Australia’s leading corporate tax advisers. He was, and still is, a lawyer and a Chartered Accountant. His clients included BHP Billiton, Macquarie Bank, Westpac Banking Corporation and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Before joining Greenwoods in 2003, he had been a tax partner at PwC for seven years. Prior to that, Tony spent five years working in-house at Westpac Banking Corporation. Throughout his tax career, Tony was a regular speaker at TTI events. Tony finished his tax career in 2018, after being Managing Partner, for seven years, of tax advisory firm Greenwoods & Herbert Smith Freehills, one of Australia’s most lauded professional service firms. Since 2019, and after completing a Master of Science in Coaching Psychology degree at the University of Sydney, Tony has been having a second career as an executive coach, mentor, leadership consultant, facilitator and trainer. He holds a number of non-executive company directorships, and is the non-executive Chairman of the Leadenhall Valuation Services group. Tony is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and now teaches the AICD’s prestigious Company Directors’ Course. Tony is also the author of The Professional: A Playbook to Unleash Your Potential and Futureproof Your Success.                      

Tony has been a proud member of The Tax Institute for close to 40 years.

Resources

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/tonyfrost

Website - https://frostleadership.com

Buy a copy of Tony's book today

For more information about The Tax Institute: https://www.taxinstitute.com.au/

In this episode of TaxVibe, Julie Abdalla speaks with Natasha Janssens, a certified money coach and founder of Women with Sense, about the importance of financial literacy and empowerment for women. They discuss Natasha's unique background, her journey from tax accountant to financial coach, and the challenges women face in discussing money.

The conversation highlights the significance of community support, overcoming limiting beliefs, and the need for financial education to protect against economic abuse. Natasha shares key takeaways for empowering women to take control of their finances and emphasises the importance of role modelling positive financial behaviours.

About Natasha

Natasha Janssens is a Certified Money Coach (CMC)® and founder of Women with Cents. She is an award-winning finance expert with a passion for supporting women to transform their relationship with money. Natasha is a high-profile speaker and the author of Wonder Woman’s Guide to Money.

Website: https://womenwithcents.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenwithcents/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenwithcents

For more information about The Tax Institute: https://www.taxinstitute.com.au/

TaxVibe is back! Our first episode for 2026 has now been published, and in this episode Tax Counsel John Storey chats with Paul Banister, Vice-President of The Tax Institute to talk about the federal budget and how the annual media circus makes our tax system worse. From tax reform and the challenges for the tax profession, to Paul’s wish list for the year ahead, we’re keeping you informed and entertained with the latest from our world of tax ahead of the May budget.

Watch and listen to TaxVibe via our website here or on all major podcast platforms. And stay tuned for more insightful episodes to come in the year ahead!

For more information about The Tax Institute: https://www.taxinstitute.com.au/

In this episode of TaxVibe, host Scott Treatt, CTA, engages with David Montani, CTA and author of Tax Wars, to discuss the complexities of tax reform in Australia. They explore the definitions of tax reform, the political gridlock that has hindered progress, and the historical context of tax policy debates.

For more information about The Tax Institute: https://www.taxinstitute.com.au/