Funded Futures Financial Services

01/06/2026

🤔 GDP is Up… But Are You Feeling It? 🤔

You’ve probably seen headlines about Australia’s economic growth. But is that growth actually translating into a better financial situation for everyday Australians? 🇦🇺

The truth is, a single GDP number can be misleading. While headline GDP may be positive, GDP per capita (the economic output per person) tells a different story – and it's been falling! 📉

What’s driving this difference? Increased government spending and population growth are masking a decline in productivity and real wage growth.

Why does this matter for your financial plan? Understanding the nuances of GDP can help you make informed decisions about your savings, investments, and future.

➡️ Dive deeper into the data: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0W14f0

You've almost certainly seen the headlines. "Australian economy grows 2% this year." "GDP rises for the 12th consecutive quarter." On the surface, things look

28/05/2026

🏡 First Home Dream Still Alive? The FHSSS is Better Than Ever! 🏡

The recent Federal Budget brought changes to CGT and negative gearing… but there’s GOOD news for aspiring first home buyers! The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) remains untouched, making it a more effective way to save for your deposit. 🥳

With changes impacting investment tax, the FHSSS – allowing you to save within your super and withdraw for a deposit – offers a significant tax advantage. Save up to $50,000 (lifetime) with contributions taxed at just 15%! 💰

Here’s what you need to know:

✅ Contribute up to $15,000 per year
✅ Withdraw with earnings + benefit from a reduced tax rate on withdrawal
✅ A great option in a changing investment landscape!

Don’t let budget changes derail your homeownership goals.

➡️ Learn more about the FHSSS and how it can work for you: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0W0C00

Here's the good news. The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) was untouched by the 2026–27 Budget. Every rule, every limit, every tax advantage — all

25/05/2026

⚠️ Budget Update: Is Your Will Still Tax Effective? ⚠️

The recent Federal Budget has significantly impacted testamentary trusts – those structures used in Wills to pass wealth to future generations. Historically, these trusts offered tax advantages for beneficiaries, but new rules coming into effect on July 1, 2028, will change how they're taxed.

For anyone who hasn’t already died, a discretionary testamentary trust established in a Will written after May 12, 2026, will be subject to a 30% minimum tax on distributions. This significantly reduces the benefit of using this strategy for education funding or intergenerational wealth transfer.

What's the alternative? Education bonds offer a tax-effective way to achieve the same goals – passing wealth to loved ones for education – without being impacted by these new rules.

Don't let the Budget impact your estate planning! If you have a testamentary trust in your Will, or have been considering one, it's crucial to review your plan with a financial advisor and estate planning lawyer.

➡️ https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0W0zS0

For decades, the discretionary testamentary trust has been one of the most powerful tools in an Australian estate planner's kit. Established through a Will,

21/05/2026

⚡ EV Novated Leases: What’s Changing & How to Secure Your Benefits ⚡

The Government is making changes to the Electric Car Discount, but don’t worry – EVs remain a smart choice for salary packaging!

🔑 Key Changes: Full FBT exemption continues for EVs under $75,000 until 2029. A 25% discount will apply after that.
🔑 Existing Leases: Protected! Your current benefits remain.

➡️ Understand how these changes impact you: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0RXmz0

And hidden in the paper we got clarity on the FBT exemption for Electric Vehicles which was due to be reviewed this year. Find out if the changes impact your plans on getting a pre-tax novate lease.

20/05/2026

💡 Budget 2026: Unlocking Opportunities for Small Businesses 💡

The 2026-27 Federal Budget delivers a series of positive changes for small businesses, including a permanent $20,000 instant asset write-off, the reintroduction of company loss carry back, and new support for start-ups.

These measures are designed to reduce compliance costs, improve cash flow, and encourage investment.

👉 Get the full details and understand how they impact your business: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0RXbh0

Buried in the budget papers were a few small wins for Small Business which are definitely worth visiting, here are my top 4.

19/05/2026

🏠 Negative Gearing Changes: What Does It Mean For Your Property? 🏠

The Budget announced changes to negative gearing from 1 July 2027, but here’s the good news: if you already own an established investment property, your current arrangements are fully protected!

The changes impact new purchases of established properties, limiting the ability to offset losses against your salary.

➡️ Understand the details and how this affects your investment strategy: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0RWR80

Negative Gearing has also had a shake up, and by shake up I mean no longer an option, as we transition to the Commercial Loss Provision. Read up on when the changes take effect, what is exempt and what is grandfathered.

18/05/2026

💡 Capital Gains Tax: Decoding the Changes to Indexation & the 30% Minimum Tax 💡

The 2027 changes to CGT are significant. The 50% discount is being replaced with cost base indexation, and a 30% minimum tax will apply to real capital gains.

This impacts how gains are calculated and taxed, particularly for those with long-held assets or low taxable income. Accurate record-keeping is now more crucial than ever.

👉 Dive deep into the details and understand the implications: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0RWs_0

💬 We're here to help you navigate these complex changes. Contact us for expert advice: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0RWs10

Capital Gains Tax has had it's biggest shake up since 1999, or even the introduction of CGT back in 1985. And don't be coy thinking it just affects investment properties, this has a profound impact on your share portfolio too.

17/05/2026

🚨 Oil prices are on the move & could impact inflation! 📈 A key shipping route is facing disruption, pushing prices up. What does this mean for interest rates & your investments? 🤔 Read our latest analysis: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0R9fV0

One of the biggest drivers of global inflation right now isn’t wages or government spending.

16/05/2026

Why is 47% tax trending on TikTok? Here's what's actually going on. (Or Silent Partner meme?, I don't know what it's called)

You've probably seen the 47% tax meme doing the rounds this week.
Some of it is TikTok math — but the underlying frustration is real, and here's why.

Under the old CGT rules, if you started a business from scratch and sold it for $10 million, you'd get a 50% discount on your capital gain.
So your taxable gain drops to $5 million. Still a big tax bill, but the discount acknowledged something important — you took a risk, you built something from nothing, and you deserve some recognition for that.

Under the new rules the 50% discount is gone. Replaced with cost base indexation — which means your $10 starting cost (yes, the $10 you paid to register the company on ASIC) gets adjusted for inflation over the years. On a $10 million sale that indexation adjustment is basically a rounding error. You're paying tax on almost the entire gain.

The reward for taking on business risk just got significantly smaller.

Now the TikTok math overstates it — you're not paying 47% on the full $10 million. But the effective tax rate on a large one-off business sale is materially higher under the new rules, and the tools available to reduce it — super contributions, spouse splitting — are designed for salaries, not $10 million exit events.

This is why structure, timing and planning matter so much — ideally years before you sell, not the week you get an offer.

If you've built something and you're thinking about what exit looks like, this is the conversation to have now rather than later.

16/05/2026

💡 Franking Credits & the New Trust Minimum Tax: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle 💡

The new 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts (from 1 July 2028) creates uncertainty around the treatment of franking credits. The Government will consult on whether these credits will:

Offset the trustee's minimum tax liability
Flow through to beneficiaries as before
Be absorbed and lost at the trust level
The outcome significantly impacts trusts holding shares or receiving dividends from small business companies. The potential for double taxation is real, especially for those currently receiving refundable franking credits.

👉 Read our in-depth analysis: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0RWf50

💬 We’re closely monitoring the consultation process. Get in touch to discuss the implications for your trust: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0RWgZ0

A follow up to the Discretionary Trust 30% tax minimum on the topic that wasn't covered, which is how franking (imputation) credits will be treated.