Everyone knows they should use an accountant at tax time. What most people don't realise is there are two completely different ways to do it with us, and one of them never involves leaving your couch. There's also a stubborn myth that the cheaper email option is a "lite" version of the real thing. It isn't.

In this episode, Mia and Leo pull back the curtain on exactly how Aevum gets your tax return done. Whether you're a brand-new client, thinking about switching accountants, or you've been coming in for years and never knew there was another way, this is the episode that explains it all.

In this episode, we cover:

The Two Options: The Email Tax Return and the In-Person or Online Appointment, what each one actually looks like from your side of the desk.

The Email Tax Return (from $330): Book a start date, send your documents through a secure online checklist, then review and sign digitally, the whole thing handled by email over the following two weeks, without taking a day off work.

The Appointment (from $440): A dedicated one-on-one with your adviser, in our Balcatta office or by video, working through your position together in real time, tailored advice, not just a return.

The Big Myth, Busted: Why the end product is identical, same qualified team, same checklists, same hunt for the deductions specific to your occupation, same compliant, maximised return. The only real difference is how you'd like to work with us.

Fees, Upfront: How our fixed fees are listed before you book, plus the handful of optional add-ons, so there are never any surprise bills.

How to Choose: Which option suits a straightforward year, which suits something more complex or a first year with us, and why plenty of clients happily switch between the two from year to year.

Same expert result. Your tax return, your way.

Connect with Aevum Accounting:
Ready to get your return sorted? Visit aevumaccounting.com.au to book your email tax return or an appointment with the expert team today.

Shoutout: A massive thank you to Peta for the fantastic 5-star review!

Important Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode and description is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute specific tax or financial advice. Everyone's situation is unique, and tax laws are complex. For personalized advice tailored to your specific situation, we always recommend consulting with a qualified professional at Aevum Accounting.

Tradies and construction workers spend more of their own money on work than almost anyone — the tools, the safety gear, the ute, the tickets. So why do so many hand the tax office hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars they never needed to?

In this episode, Mia and Leo give you the full rundown: every deduction you can claim, the ones you can't, and the myths that quietly cost you at tax time. It's aimed at tradies who are employees — and if you're a subbie on your own ABN, there's a note in here for you too.

In this episode, we cover:

The 3 Golden Rules: The three tests every single deduction has to pass — and why records are non-negotiable.

Your Car & Travel: Why the drive to work usually isn't claimable, the special bulky-tools exception for tradies, the 88c-per-kilometre method (capped at 5,000 km), and the ute catch that trips people up.

Tools & Equipment: The $300 rule — claim it now vs claim it over time — plus repairs, insurance, and the trap with buying a set.

Clothing & Laundry: Why your drill shorts and plain shirts are out but steel-caps and hi-vis are in, and the $150 laundry claim you don't need receipts for.

Sun Protection, Licences & Training: Sunscreen and sunnies for outdoor work, renewing your tickets and high-risk licences, self-education, and where apprentices stand.

The Overlooked Ones: Union fees, phone and internet, overtime meals, working-from-home at 70c an hour, and income protection premiums.

Nice Try: The claims that don't fly — your driver's licence, fines, gym, music subscriptions and childcare.

Jack's Case Study: How one carpenter left more than $3,000 on the table — and the simple fixes that put over $1,000 a year back in his pocket.

Your Record-Keeping Toolkit: The ATO myDeductions app that makes it all painless.

You do the hard yards all year. This is how you keep more of what you earn.

Connect with Aevum Accounting:
On the tools and not sure you're claiming everything? Visit aevumaccounting.com.au to book a tax planning session with the expert team today.

Shoutout: A massive thank you to Luke for the fantastic 5-star review!

Important Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode and description is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute specific tax or financial advice. Everyone's situation is unique, and tax laws are complex. For personalized advice tailored to your specific situation, we always recommend consulting with a qualified professional at Aevum Accounting.

Real estate agents run their own small business inside someone else's brand. You drive everywhere, work every weekend, and spend your own money to win the listing — so why do so many agents claim the bare minimum and hand the tax office thousands they never needed to?

In this episode, Mia and Leo are back in the studio to help agents claim every dollar they're entitled to. We revisit the Real Estate Agent essentials from Part 1, then go deep on the advanced deductions most agents miss — and bust the myths that quietly cost them at tax time.

In this episode, we cover:

The Part 1 Refresher: The golden rule (it has to relate to earning your commission), the big three — car, phone and home office — and why record-keeping is non-negotiable.

Licensed vs Staying Licensed: Why your very first Certificate of Registration isn't deductible, but every renewal after that is.

Self-Education & Conferences: When a course or an industry conference (think AREC) is claimable — and the catch that trips agents up.

The Tools of the Trade: Institute memberships, CoreLogic and RP Data subscriptions, cameras, drones and laptops — the $300 rule and how depreciation actually works.

Marketing Yourself: Prospecting, your CRM, business cards and social media ads — all on the table when you're paid on commission.

The Overlooked Ones: Sun protection for those Saturday auctions, your work bag, income protection premiums, and parking and tolls on top of your car claim.

The Dave Case Study: How one agent left more than $6,000 on the table — and the simple fixes that put well over $2,000 a year back in his pocket.

Five Myths, Busted: Can you claim 100% of your car? Grooming and gym memberships? Wining and dining clients? Coffees at appraisals? Parking fines? Mia and Leo set the record straight.

Your Record-Keeping Toolkit: The ATO myDeductions app and the 12-week logbook that protect every dollar you claim.

You spend all year helping clients get top dollar. This is how you keep more of yours.

Connect with Aevum Accounting:
Are you an agent leaving deductions on the table? Visit aevumaccounting.com.au to book a tax planning session with the expert team today.

Shoutout: A massive thank you to Kurt for the brilliant 5-star review!

Important Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode and description is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute specific tax or financial advice. Everyone's situation is unique, and tax laws are complex. For personalized advice tailored to your specific situation, we always recommend consulting with a qualified professional at Aevum Accounting.

The negatively geared investment property has been a cornerstone of Australian wealth-building for a generation. Then the 2026-27 Federal Budget took a big red pen to the rulebook — and most investors have no idea the game has already changed.

In this episode, Mia and Leo are joined by tax strategist Harvey Green to unpack the biggest shake-up to property investing in years. We revisit the Investment Property 101 essentials from Part 1, then break down exactly what's changing, who's protected, and the one deadline that has quietly already passed.

In this episode, we cover:

The Part 1 Refresher: The lifecycle of an investment property — deductible expenses, the repair-versus-improvement trap, and depreciation on capital works and second-hand plant and equipment.

The Negative Gearing Shake-Up: From 1 July 2027, losses on established properties bought after budget night can no longer offset your salary — they're "quarantined" until you have rental profit or sell. We walk through the Sarah-and-John example that makes it click.

Established vs New Build: Why brand-new properties keep the full benefits — negative gearing and the capital gains discount — while established homes bought after the cut-off lose the salary offset.

Grandfathering Explained: If you already owned, or were under contract, before budget night, the old rules keep applying — until you sell.

The Capital Gains Twist: The 50% CGT discount is being replaced with an indexation method and a 30% minimum from 1 July 2027 — and it reaches beyond property to shares, ETFs and crypto.

Four Myths, Busted: Is negative gearing dead? Is your current property about to lose its benefits? Is it too late to act? Does it only affect property investors? Harvey sets the record straight.

Your Action Plan: The moves to make before you sign a contract, weigh up a new build, or think about selling.

The rules have changed halfway through the match. Don't guess your next move — get the facts first.

Connect with Aevum Accounting:

About to buy an established investment property, or planning your next purchase? Visit aevumaccounting.com.au to book a property tax planning session with the expert team today.

Shoutout: A massive thank you to Laura for the fantastic 5-star review!

Important Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode and description is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute specific tax or financial advice. Everyone's situation is unique, and tax laws are complex. For personalized advice tailored to your specific situation, we always recommend consulting with a qualified professional at Aevum Accounting.

Nurses and midwives — clock back on, it's time for your tax second opinion! 🩺

In Part 1 we covered the basics. Now Mia and Leo are back on the ward for the night shift debrief, separating the deductions you're genuinely entitled to from the tearoom myths that quietly cost you money every single year.

First, a quick handover from Episode 12 — the ATO's three golden rules, car and travel, your uniform, and salary packaging. Then we get into the advanced stuff.

In this episode, we run the obs on:

🚫 The Big Myths, Busted: Why your gym membership, the plain tees under your scrubs, your required flu shots, childcare, and "just checking the roster on your phone" are NOT deductible — no matter how unfair it feels.

👟 Protective vs Conventional: The fine line that makes your non-slip shoes claimable but your everyday socks a private expense.

🎓 Self-Education: When a course actually counts (hint: it has to relate to the job you're doing now, not the one you want next).

💸 The Deductions Nurses Forget: Your AHPRA registration, annual practising certificate, union and association fees, agency commissions, gear like your stethoscope and fob watch, and professional journals.

⏪ Missed Claims in the Past? You may be able to amend previous years' returns and get that money back.

Don't take your tax advice from the tearoom at 3am. Get the prescription for a healthier return from the team at Aevum Accounting.

Connect with Aevum Accounting:

Think you've been missing claims on your nursing or midwifery return? Visit aevumaccounting.com.au to book a tax planning session with the team — they know the rules for nurses and midwives inside and out.

Shoutout: A massive thank you to Boris for the fantastic 5-star review!

Important Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode and description is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute specific tax, financial, or legal advice. Everyone's situation is unique and tax laws change. For advice tailored to your circumstances, always consult a qualified professional at Aevum Accounting.

Planning for the financial future of a vulnerable loved one is one of the most important things a family can do, but the dense legalese and rigid tax rules can make it feel like trying to read a textbook underwater.

In this comprehensive guide, Mia and Leo break down the complex intersection of Australian tax law, social security, and asset planning. Stripping away the jargon, they compare three entirely different trust structures to help families optimize their tax position, protect means-tested pensions, and avoid costly compliance landmines.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Sledgehammer of Division 6AA: How unearned trust income distributed to minors gets hit with a brutal 45% penalty tax, and the vital "Excepted Person" status loophole that completely bypasses it.

• The Section 100A Reality Check: Why trust distributions cannot just be a paper exercise, and legitimate examples of direct expenditure that qualify as genuine welfare for a child.

• The Special Disability Trust (SDT) Breakdown: Unpacking the massive concessions for the 2025-26 financial year, including the $832,750 asset exemption, primary residence carve-outs, and the $500,000 family gifting concession.

• Three Hidden SDT Landmines: Exploring the dangerous 5-year pension clawback rule, the strict compensation payout blockade, and state-based transfer shocks like the strict rules enforced by RevenueWA.

• The Decision Framework & The Testamentary Alternative: How to identify when an SDT is a financial game-changer versus total compliance overkill, and why a trust inside a Will offers ultimate asset flexibility.

Stop guessing with your family's future and build a safe, legally compliant roadmap for absolute peace of mind.

Connect with Aevum Accounting:Ready to safely structure your family trust distributions or model your long-term estate planning options? Visit aevumaccounting.com.au to book a comprehensive planning session with the specialist team today.

Shoutout: A massive thank you to Thomas Follett for the fantastic 5-star review!

Important Disclaimer: The information and financial figures shared in this episode and description are based on the 2025-26 financial year guidelines and are for general informational purposes only. They do not constitute specific tax, financial, or legal advice. Every family's profile and dynamic is completely unique, and trust laws are constantly evolving. For personalized strategy tailored strictly to your individual circumstances, always consult with a qualified professional at Aevum Accounting.

Are you a professional firefighter taking tax advice from the station lunchroom? It’s time to separate the facts from the costly fiction.

In Part 2 of our Firehouse Drill series, Mia, Leo, and resident tax strategist Harvey Green sound the alarm on the ATO’s latest advanced guidelines for the fire service. We start with a rapid-fire summary of the golden rules from Episode 10, and then dive straight into busting the most highly debated deduction myths in the station.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Fitness Trap: Why standard firefighters are strictly banned from claiming gym memberships and protein powders—and the extreme exception to the rule for specialized units.

• The "Under the Gear" Myth: Why the plain shirts, socks, and underwear you wear beneath your protective turnout gear are rejected by the ATO as "conventional clothing."

• Skincare vs. Suncare: The strict difference between claiming a private moisturizer and a fully deductible, AUST-L approved sunscreen.

• The Second-Job Commute: How firefighters running a side hustle (like trades or training) can claim the direct travel between the station and their second job.

• Licenses & Permits: Why your standard driver's license is never deductible, but the renewal of your heavy rigid vehicle permit is!

• The Allowances Trap: Why receiving a uniform, meal, or danger allowance on your payslip does not automatically entitle you to a tax deduction.

Stop guessing what you can claim and make sure you are maximizing your return without triggering an ATO audit.

Connect with Aevum Accounting:

Need to organize your fire service deductions or structure your side hustle? Visit aevumaccounting.com.au to book a tailored tax planning session with the expert team today.

Shoutout: A massive thank you to Scott Rastall for the fantastic review!

Important Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode and description is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute specific tax or financial advice. Everyone's situation is unique, and tax laws are complex. For personalized advice tailored to your specific situation, we always recommend consulting with a qualified professional at Aevum Accounting.

What happens when you take the biggest, most common tax questions from the community and put them in the hot seat? You get a definitive, no-jargon roadmap to optimizing your next return.

Recently, Aevum Accounting founder Ben De Rosa sat down with Glen James on the Money Money Money podcast for a massive live Q&A. Today, Mia, Leo, and resident tax strategist Harvey Green hijack that exact transcript to strip away the confusion and answer thirteen heavy-hitting questions with flawless AI precision.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Accountant Trigger Points: The exact moments your financial complexity means you need to dump the DIY apps and hire the Aevum team.

• The June 30th Timing Trap & "Bush Math": Why buying a laptop on June 29th won't get you a massive tax refund, and why you must make super contributions by June 15th.

• Transparent Pricing: A complete breakdown of what it actually costs to use Aevum Accounting (and why the fee is completely tax-deductible).

• The $1,000 Deduction Myth: Busting the misconceptions around the government's draft legislation and why throwing away your receipts is a massive mistake.

• When to Actually Lodge: Why rushing to do your tax in the first week of July is a terrible idea—especially for paramedics and ETF investors.

• Working From Home: Convenience vs. Cash—a side-by-side look at the Fixed Rate vs. Actual Cost methods.

• The DRP Paperwork Nightmare: Why Dividend Reinvestment Plans create a tracking mess for capital gains, and how to fix it.

• High Earners & Division 293: Why salary sacrificing still makes mathematical sense even if you hit the $250k tax threshold.

• The Loss "Waiting Room": How the ATO treats capital losses and why you carry them "to the grave."

• Crushing a Big CGT Bill: Using contract dates versus settlement dates to legally shift tax brackets.

• Electrifying a Rental: The tax breakdown of swapping out gas appliances for brand-new electric upgrades.

• Tax Advice for 22-Year-Olds: The simple, realistic approach to record-keeping without hoarding grocery receipts.

• The 6-Year Rule Dilemma: The critical "backdated valuation" rule you must know before turning your home into a rental property.

Stop leaving money on the table and let data-driven precision guide your tax planning.

Connect with Aevum Accounting:Ready to run the numbers on your property, shares, or work deductions? Visit aevumaccounting.com.au to book a tailored tax planning session or a free 15-minute consult with the team today.

Shoutout: A massive thank you to Emily Cairns for the wonderful 5-star review!

Important Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode and description is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute specific tax or financial advice. Everyone's situation is unique, and tax laws are complex. For personalized advice tailored to your specific situation, we always recommend consulting with a qualified professional at Aevum Accounting.

Are you a police officer taking tax advice from the lunchroom? It’s time to separate fact from fiction.

In Part 2 of our Police Debrief series, Mia and Leo hit the station to break down the ATO’s latest guidelines for law enforcement. We start with a rapid-fire summary of the golden rules from Episode 10 (covering cars, commutes, and uniforms), and then dive straight into the most highly debated deduction myths in the force.

In this episode, we cover:

• Fitness & Gym Fees: Why standard beat cops can't claim their gym memberships, but why TRG and specialized dive units can.

• The Boot & Glasses Traps: Why standard black boots and prescription glasses are rejected by the ATO, and exactly what kind of boots and eyewear you can claim.

• The Grooming Myth: Why the ATO rejects your haircuts and grooming expenses, even if police regulations mandate short hair.

• Overtime & Meals: The strict difference between a private lunch on patrol and a fully deductible overtime meal claim.

• Self-Education Traps: When an advanced course is deductible, and when the ATO considers it a "new job" degree.

• Tools of the Trade: How to claim upgraded tactical gear, torches, and duty belts (and how the $300 depreciation rule works).

• The Phone Usage Catch: Why checking your shifts or roster on your phone does not count as a deductible work expense.

• Forgotten Union Fees: How to amend your past tax returns to claim back years of missed Police Union and Association fees.

Stop guessing what you can claim and make sure you are getting every dollar you are legally entitled to.

Connect with Aevum Accounting:Need to amend a past return or organize this year's deductions? Visit aevumaccounting.com.au to book an appointment with the team today.

Shoutout: A massive thank you to Ellise McCoombe for the fantastic 5-star review!

Important Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode and description is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute specific tax or financial advice. Everyone's situation is unique, and tax laws are complex. For personalized advice tailored to your specific situation, we always recommend consulting with a qualified professional at Aevum Accounting.

Are you a high-earning IT contractor, management consultant, or engineer? If you are using a Pty Ltd company or a Family Trust to artificially cap your tax rate or split your income with family members, you might be walking directly into an ATO audit.

This week, Mia, Leo, and resident tax strategist Harvey Green unpack the incredibly complex—and high-stakes—web of ATO legislation targeting Individual Professional Practitioners. Discover how the ATO's defense mechanisms actually work and how to protect the wealth you build from catastrophic penalties.

In this episode, we cover:

• The PSI Net: What Personal Services Income actually is and how the ATO looks right through your company structure.

• The Consultant's Tests: Why charging a "daily rate" almost always fails the Results Test, and how the 80% Rule catches out government contractors.

• The Traffic Light System: A breakdown of the ATO's latest crackdown (PCG 2021/4) and the two mandatory gateways your business structure must pass.

• The "Greedy Director" Trap: Why paying yourself a low salary while distributing massive profits to your family puts you deep in the dangerous "Red Zone."

• Aiming for the Green: How to safely structure your consulting business for enduring value, stability, and peace of mind.

Stop guessing your risk level and start building a bulletproof, commercial structure.

Connect with Aevum Accounting:

Don't wait for the ATO to send a letter. Visit aevumaccounting.com.au to book a structural review with Ben and the team today to ensure you are operating in the Green Zone.

Shoutout: A massive thank you to Steven H. for the stellar 5-star review!

Important Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode and description is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute specific tax, legal, or financial advice. Everyone's situation is unique, and tax laws are complex. For personalized advice tailored to your specific business or personal situation, we always recommend consulting with a qualified professional at Aevum Accounting.