Sherpa Financial Group

Sherpa Financial Group As is with the Himalayan Sherpa, we pride ourselves in guiding our clients and helping them achieve their ultimate goals.

Sherpa Financial Group ensures that we will be with our clients every step of the way, through today’s financial environment.

The proposed Budget changes could have a bigger impact on estate planning than many people realise.For families with sig...
01/06/2026

The proposed Budget changes could have a bigger impact on estate planning than many people realise.

For families with significant wealth, assets are often held across family trusts, personal names, investment portfolios, business interests and property holdings.

The way those assets are owned can affect who controls them, how easily they can be transferred, what tax may apply and whether the next generation can manage them effectively.

This becomes more important when the proposed changes to CGT and discretionary trusts proceed.

A family trust may still provide control and asset protection, but the tax benefit of distributing income to lower-rate beneficiaries may be reduced. A long-held asset may still be worth retaining, but the timing of a future sale or transfer could matter more. An investment property may still have value, but the after-tax position may look different under the proposed rules.

For high-net-worth families, the estate plan needs to bring these decisions together.

It should consider who will control key structures, whether there will be enough liquidity to deal with tax or equalisation between beneficiaries, and whether the plan still works if assets are held for the next generation rather than sold.

The Budget does not mean families need to rush into changes.
It does mean older plans may need to be reviewed with more care.

Family wealth can take decades to build. Passing it on well requires a plan that reflects how the wealth is actually held, not just who it is intended to benefit.

The proposed Budget changes put a sharper focus on how wealth is structured, managed and transferred over time.For peopl...
28/05/2026

The proposed Budget changes put a sharper focus on how wealth is structured, managed and transferred over time.

For people with significant assets, one rule change can flow through more than one part of a plan. It may affect when assets are sold, how income is managed, how much flexibility a portfolio has, and how wealth is eventually passed on.

A strong strategy should allow room to adapt as markets, legislation, family circumstances and life stages change.

That becomes especially important for families with trust structures, investment properties, business interests or long-held assets. These decisions are rarely isolated, and the impact of getting them wrong can be significant.

Good advice helps bring those moving parts together.

The Federal Budget announcement is a good reason to check whether your current strategy still works for where you are now and where your wealth needs to go next.

If your plan has not been reviewed recently, please feel free to reach out to me.

The proposed Budget changes could make some residential property investments less attractive from a tax perspective.From...
22/05/2026

The proposed Budget changes could make some residential property investments less attractive from a tax perspective.

From 1 July 2027, negative gearing is expected to be limited to eligible new builds. For established properties bought after the Budget night cut-off, property losses generally won’t be able to reduce other income, such as salary or business income.

For some, that changes the numbers significantly.

It is worth noting that the proposed negative gearing changes are aimed at residential property, not all geared investments. This may strengthen the case for looking beyond direct property and considering whether capital could be used in a more diversified, flexible and tax-effective way.

Property can feel safe because it is familiar and tangible. But it can also tie up a large amount of capital in one asset, create cash flow pressure, and be difficult to sell quickly if circumstances change.

The proposed changes are a reminder that property should be assessed like any other investment.

Does it improve the overall portfolio?
Does the after-tax return still stack up?
Is the level of debt appropriate?
Could the capital be working harder elsewhere?

Property may still have a role for some investors. For others, this may be a good time to reconsider whether a more diversified and flexible investment strategy makes better sense.

The proposed Federal Budget changes to discretionary trusts has left many wondering whether their current structure stil...
19/05/2026

The proposed Federal Budget changes to discretionary trusts has left many wondering whether their current structure still makes sense.
And it’s a valid question.

From 1 July 2028, the Government has proposed a 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts. This could reduce the tax benefit some families receive from distributing trust income to beneficiaries on lower tax rates.

At the moment, many discretionary trusts distribute income across family members, with each beneficiary paying tax at their own marginal tax rate. Under the proposed change, trust income would generally need to be taxed at a minimum rate of 30%.

That means distributions to adult children or family members with lower taxable income may no longer produce the same tax outcome.
However, tax is only one reason families use trusts.

A trust may still play an important role in asset protection, investment control, succession planning and the way wealth is managed across generations.

This is why restructuring should not be rushed.

Moving assets between entities, changing ownership, winding up a trust or transferring wealth can create consequences that are difficult to reverse.

There may be tax, stamp duty, asset protection and estate planning implications to work through.

A structure that becomes less effective from a tax perspective may still provide value in other areas.

Before changing or unwinding a trust, it is important to understand what tax benefit may be reduced, what benefits the trust still provides, and whether an alternative structure would genuinely produce a better overall outcome.

If you would like to discuss whether your current structure still supports your broader wealth strategy, please feel free to reach out.

From 1 July 2027, the current 50% CGT discount is expected to be replaced for CGT assets held by individuals, trusts and...
15/05/2026

From 1 July 2027, the current 50% CGT discount is expected to be replaced for CGT assets held by individuals, trusts and partnerships.

Instead of automatically reducing a capital gain by 50% after holding an asset for more than 12 months, the proposed rules would use cost base indexation, with a 30% minimum tax on net capital gains.

The proposed changes will reach beyond investment properties and affect people holding shares, ETFs, managed funds, business interests or other long-term investments.

While the tax treatment is changing significantly, it does not mean rushing to sell before the rules change is the right answer. A rushed sale could create more complexity, trigger tax earlier than necessary, disrupt an investment strategy or affect future estate planning outcomes.

It’s important to consider the full picture before deciding the next move.

That includes how the asset has performed, the role it plays in the portfolio, liquidity needs, retirement plans, succession objectives and whether the timing supports the broader wealth strategy.

For investors with significant assets, the cost of getting the timing wrong could be substantial.

Before making decisions around valuable assets, it is worth understanding the full impact.

The ATO has released draft guidance on how rental income and deductions should be treated for residential investment pro...
29/04/2026

The ATO has released draft guidance on how rental income and deductions should be treated for residential investment properties.

It is taking a closer look at properties that sit between private use and income-producing use, including holiday homes, short-stay accommodation and properties used by family or friends.

Under draft ruling TR 2025/D1, it will be harder to claim a property as fully income-producing where there is still a significant private benefit. That means more attention on how the property is used, whether deductions are being claimed fairly, and whether the records support the position being taken.

For families with a holiday home or mixed-use property, this is a good reminder to make sure private use, rental use and record-keeping are all clearly documented.

The ATO has indicated a transitional compliance approach through to 30 June 2026, so now is a sensible time to review any mixed-use arrangements with your accountant or tax adviser.

From a wealth perspective, it is also a useful chance to step back and consider the role that asset plays in the broader financial position, especially where it serves both lifestyle and income purposes.

If this raises broader questions about how other assets fit within your wealth position, feel free to get in touch for a chat.

When markets feel uncertain, it is easy to put decisions on hold. That might mean delaying an investment, leaving cash w...
21/04/2026

When markets feel uncertain, it is easy to put decisions on hold. That might mean delaying an investment, leaving cash where it is, or postponing a review of structures that may no longer suit your position.

But standing still is not neutral. It’s still a decision, and over time, it can come with a cost.

Cash that stays idle for too long can lose value in real terms. Opportunities can be missed, and strategies that once worked well can quietly become less effective as life, wealth and priorities evolve.

That does not mean rushing into action. It means understanding the cost of inaction and making deliberate decisions rather than defaulting to delay.

Sometimes the biggest risk is not making the wrong move. It is waiting too long to make the right one.

If you have been putting off a financial decision, it may be worth taking a fresh look at what standing still could be costing you.

A high income can open doors. But on its own, it does not guarantee long-term wealth.We often see people earning well, y...
14/04/2026

A high income can open doors. But on its own, it does not guarantee long-term wealth.

We often see people earning well, yet still feeling like they are not making the progress they expected. In many cases, the issue is not income. It is what happens around it.

Wealth can be held back by lifestyle creep, poor cash flow visibility, too much money sitting idle, tax-inefficient structures, or simply not having a clear plan for where surplus income should go.

Over time, building wealth usually comes back to a few main factors:
🔹knowing what you are keeping
🔹being intentional about where it goes
🔹using the right structures
🔹and making decisions that support long-term goals, not just short-term comfort

A good income creates potential. Wealth is built by what you keep, how you use it, and whether your overall strategy is working together.

If you are earning well but feel like your wealth is not moving the way it should, it may be time to take a closer look at the strategy around it.

The rules have now changed for Australians with larger super balances.New Division 296 legislation passed in March and w...
10/04/2026

The rules have now changed for Australians with larger super balances.

New Division 296 legislation passed in March and will apply from 1 July 2026, increasing tax on earnings linked to super balances above $3 million, with an even higher tier applying above $10 million.

For those affected, this does not mean super suddenly stops being valuable. But it does mean the conversation may need to shift.

Where larger balances are involved, it becomes even more important to think carefully about:

🔹 the role super is intended to play within the broader wealth position
🔹 how tax efficiency is being assessed across the full asset base
🔹 where future capital is best accumulated
🔹 and whether the existing strategy still makes sense under the new settings

With the new rules starting from 1 July 2026, now may be a sensible time to review your strategy ahead of the new financial year.

If these changes have you thinking more broadly about where wealth should sit going forward, feel free to get in touch for a chat.

While Australians donate significantly during times of crisis, what’s still developing is a culture of structured, long-...
19/03/2026

While Australians donate significantly during times of crisis, what’s still developing is a culture of structured, long-term giving.

Many high-income families have the capacity to give in meaningful ways, but philanthropy is often approached reactively rather than as part of a broader financial and legacy plan.

Structured giving creates clarity by enabling charities to plan with confidence, making funding predictable, and turning generosity into a long-term commitment rather than a reactive response.

For families thinking about the legacy they want to leave, philanthropy doesn’t need to sit outside wealth planning. When aligned with investment, tax and estate considerations, it can become one of the most intentional and rewarding parts of a family’s strategy.

The next evolution of philanthropy in Australia is less about crisis-driven giving and more about structure and long-term impact.

If you’d like to discuss how philanthropy can be integrated into your broader wealth and legacy planning, please feel free to get in touch for a chat.

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