The ATO estimates that incorrect reporting of rental property income and expenses is costing around $1 billion each year in forgone tax
revenue. A big part of the problem is how taxpayers are claiming interest on their investment property loans.
We’ve seen an uptick in ATO activity focussing on refinanced or redrawn loans. This activity is a result of a major
data matching program of residential property loan data from financial institutions from 2021-22 to 2025-26. This data is being matched
to what taxpayers have claimed on their tax returns. Those with anomalies can expect contact from the ATO to explain the discrepancy.
If you have an investment property loan and redraw on the loan for a different purpose to the original borrowing, the loan account becomes a
mixed purpose account. Interest accruing on mixed purpose accounts need to be apportioned between each of the different purposes the money
was used for.
On the other hand, if the redrawn funds are used to produce investment income, then the interest on this portion of the loan should be
deductible.
For example, if you have redrawn on the loan to pay for a private holiday, or pay down personal debt, then the interest relating to this
portion of the loan balance is not deductible. Not only will the interest expenses need to be apportioned into deductible and non-deductible
parts, but repayments will normally need to be apportioned too.
Withdrawals from an offset account are treated as savings rather than a new borrowing. If you have a loan account and an interest offset
account is attached to this account that reduces the interest payable on the loan, withdrawing funds from the offset account will typically
increase the amount of interest accruing on the loan, but won’t change the deductible percentage of the interest expenses.
That is, when you withdraw funds from the offset account this is really a withdrawal of savings and won’t impact on the extent to which
interest accruing on the loan account is deductible.
If you have a home loan that was used to acquire your private home and you have funds sitting in an offset account, withdrawing those funds
to pay the deposit on a rental property won’t enable you to claim any of the interest accruing on the home loan.
However, if you redraw funds from the home loan to acquire a rental property then interest accruing on this portion of the loan should
be deductible. The tax treatment always depends on how the arrangement is structured.
Think you might have a problem? Contact us and we can investigate the issue before the ATO contact you.
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Please note: This event is not until March 2027 — AI agent technology is moving fast, so the workshop content will continue to evolve to bring you the latest of what is happening in the AI agent space.
AI-Enhanced Automation for Accounting and Finance Professionals: Leveraging ChatGPT, Copilot & Claude for Innovation and
Productivity.
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop in PERTH with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using
cutting-edge Agentic AI tools including Chat GPT, Claude, CoPilot and Gemini. This workshop is built for accountants,
bookkeepers, finance teams, and business owners who want to move beyond basic prompts and turn AI into a reliable, ethical, and practical
system for everyday work.
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Please note: This event is not until March 2027 — AI agent technology is moving fast, so the workshop content will continue to evolve to bring you the latest of what is happening in the AI agent space.
AI-Enhanced Automation for Accounting and Finance Professionals: Leveraging ChatGPT, Copilot & Claude for Innovation and
Productivity.
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop in MORNINGTON with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using
cutting-edge Agentic AI tools including Chat GPT, Claude, CoPilot and Gemini. This workshop is built for accountants,
bookkeepers, finance teams, and business owners who want to move beyond basic prompts and turn AI into a reliable, ethical, and practical
system for everyday work.
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AI-Enhanced Automation for Accounting and Finance Professionals: Leveraging ChatGPT, Copilot & Claude for Innovation and
Productivity.
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop in GOLD COAST with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using
cutting-edge Agentic AI tools including Chat GPT, Claude, CoPilot and Gemini. This workshop is built for accountants,
bookkeepers, finance teams, and business owners who want to move beyond basic prompts and turn AI into a reliable, ethical, and practical
system for everyday work.
.png)
AI-Enhanced Automation for Accounting and Finance Professionals: Leveraging ChatGPT, Copilot & Claude for Innovation and
Productivity.
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop in MORNINGTON with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using
cutting-edge Agentic AI tools including Chat GPT, Claude, CoPilot and Gemini. This workshop is built for accountants,
bookkeepers, finance teams, and business owners who want to move beyond basic prompts and turn AI into a reliable, ethical, and practical
system for everyday work.
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INVESTOR BRIEFING — JOINTLY PRESENTED BY SMART BUSINESS SOLUTIONS & AREA SPECIALIST
Thursday 29 October, 5:30-7:30pm, $20 per person — 100% donated to Mornington Community Support Services, Mt Martha Lifesaving Club, Mount Martha
The property rules changed — negative gearing, capital gains and more. Join SMART Business Solutions and Lauren Wild of Area
Specialist for a joint evening briefing on the 2026 tax reforms for residential property investors, plus live residential and commercial
market updates from two local experts. Find out whether the changes affect you — and what is worth doing before 1 July 2027.
Reserve a seat »
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Lunch & Learn Workshop // Thursday 22 October, 2026 - 12:00 - 2:30pm
$110 (incl. GST)pp includes lunch & drink on arrival (this is just cost! be prepared for a wonderful lunch)
Bridging the gap between legal and financial expertise in family law. Many practitioners see the legal issue, but the strongest
outcomes for separating clients come from understanding the numbers behind the matter. This practical session provides family lawyers with
the financial fluency to spot issues early, guide clients with confidence, and collaborate more effectively with accountants and financial
advisers.
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Fundraising Evening // 9 October, 2026 - 5:30 - 7:30pm
$35pp includes a welcome drink & nibbles
An evening of networking, meaningful conversation and fundraising with Wayne Holdsworth, supporting the vital work of SmackTalk and helping
create safer online communities.
LIVE INFORMATION EVENING
Wednesday 7 October, 5:30-7:30pm
Most families don't start thinking about retirement living or aged care until they're forced to make decisions quickly. Join us for an informative evening covering retirement living, future care planning, downsizing considerations, aged care costs, estate
preservation and strategies to help families make informed decisions before they become urgent. Designed for retirees, adult children and families looking to better understand their options and plan ahead with confidence.
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Lunch & Learn Workshop // 18 September, 2026 - 12:00 - 1:30pm
$35pp includes lunch
Many business owners believe growth comes from more sales. But in reality, the strongest and most profitable
businesses grow by improving how the business works, not just by selling more. This session is designed to change that. The
5-Critical Financial Metrics
is a practical workshop that shows you where small, targeted changes can create disproportionately big improvements in profit, cashflow and
sustainability.
Hiring entertainers, promotional staff or event contractors for your Christmas function could create superannuation obligations you didn't expect.
Helping a family member buy a property may seem straightforward, but the way ownership is structured today could have significant tax consequences years down the track.
Working from home could have tax implications long after you've stopped claiming deductions. Here's what every business owner should know.
ASIC's director ID data matching is set to expose outdated company records. A quick review now could save you time, stress and unnecessary penalties later.
Just announced this week, draft legislation and explanatory materials with 15 DAY Consultation period!! Enough to give you a headache! These are NOT BETTER FOR YOU. It proposes an alternative to restructuring that would allow existing discretionary trusts to avoid the 30% minimum tax by fixing beneficiaries’ entitlements to income and capital, an apparently simple election with potentially significant long-term consequences.
Darwin has become Australia's standout property market, recording house price growth of around 16 per cent and unit price growth of around 13 per cent
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MP SHIRE SMALL BUSINESS FESTIVAL / LIVE WORKSHOP
Friday 31 August, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Join our practical,
educational workshop designed to help business owners understand the lending process and in preparation for funding conversations, learn how lending decisions are really made and what banks actually look for.
The start of a new financial year is an ideal moment to review your existing equipment finance commitments.
Our annual compliance guide highlights key accounting, tax and business obligations throughout the financial year, including BAS, IAS, WorkCover, payroll, tax return and EOFY planning dates.
The auction environment is deliberately designed to create competition and momentum. Bidding can move quickly, and it is easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment.
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MP SHIRE SMALL BUSINESS FESTIVAL / LIVE WORKSHOP
Tuesday 25 August, 10:00am-12:00pm
This practical, confidence-building session is designed to give business owners control. Know Your Numbers is a hands-on workshop created specifically for non-financial business owners who want clarity and confidence in their decision-making.
Understanding this before you apply helps set realistic expectations and makes it easier to compare what different lenders are offering you rather than what they advertise.
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MP SHIRE SMALL BUSINESS FESTIVAL / LIVE WORKSHOP
Monday 24 August, 5:30-7:30pm
This practical, education-first session helps business owners cut through the confusion and take back control of their business insurance
decisions.
Financing an older vehicle is a common goal, but it comes with a set of challenges that do not apply in the same way to newer cars.
Spring is consistently the busiest period of the year for Australian property, with more listings, open homes and competition than at any other time.
As income grows, it's easy for spending to grow with it. This article explores practical strategies to help you make the most of your strongest earning years and build greater financial freedom for the future.
B.I.T.E. Business Conference 2026 brought together business owners, leaders and innovators for a day of inspiration, learning and connection. Take a look back at the highlights from another successful event.
Many SMSF members assume their Will determines who receives their super. However, without the right SMSF arrangements in place, the outcome may not be what you intended.
Hiring entertainers, promotional staff or event contractors for your Christmas function could create superannuation obligations you didn't expect.
Helping a family member buy a property may seem straightforward, but the way ownership is structured today could have significant tax consequences years down the track.
