by Chris Garlick | Dec 11, 2025 | Tax Law
Every week, I speak with Australians who haven’t lodged a tax return for five, ten, or even fifteen years. Some were living overseas. Others were bouncing in and out of Australia. A few were deep in cryptocurrency trading through companies or offshore platforms. Many...
by Chris Garlick | Dec 4, 2025 | Tax Law
Inheritance Tax in Australia – What Actually Gets Taxed When Someone Dies When people hear the phrase inheritance tax in Australia, many assume it doesn’t exist at all — and that an inheritance is simply “tax-free money.” That’s partly true, and partly very wrong....
by Chris Garlick | Nov 26, 2025 | Tax Law
Does the Prime Minister Get Special Tax Treatment in Australia? Every few weeks someone leans over a bar or a barbecue, lowers their voice and asks: “So… does the Prime Minister really pay tax like the rest of us?” It’s a fair question. The role comes with motorcades,...
by Chris Garlick | Nov 19, 2025 | Tax Law
Introduction: The Strange Case of the Tax Resident of a Tree Australian taxation law has produced some unforgettable stories, but none stranger than the man who became a tax resident of a tree. It is a real example of how tax residency rules, the permanent place of...
by Chris Garlick | Nov 13, 2025 | Tax Law
Vanuatu Tax Residency: Why Australians May Still Be Taxable in Australia Vanuatu’s appeal is obvious: no personal income tax, no company tax, no capital gains tax, no wealth or inheritance tax. Apart from a 12.5% VAT on goods and services, the country promotes itself...
by Chris Garlick | Oct 28, 2025 | Tax Law
Why You Might Need a Tax Lawyer (Not Just an Accountant) Introduction When tax problems arise, many people think of calling their accountant first. But there are situations where an accountant isn’t enough — and only a tax lawyer has the expertise and legal...
by Chris Garlick | Oct 21, 2025 | Tax Law
What is Bracket Creep—and Why the New Tax Cuts Might Not Feel Like Enough Introduction You may have heard of “bracket creep”, a silent income tax issue that often gets overlooked. Even with tax cuts on the way, inflation and wage growth can push you into higher tax...
by Chris Garlick | Oct 14, 2025 | Tax Law
Is Your Super over $3 Million? What the Proposed ‘Super Tax’ Could Mean for You Introduction If your superannuation balance is above $3 million, you could soon face new tax rules. Division 296 is the proposed “super tax” targeting large super funds. From 1 July 2025,...
by Chris Garlick | Oct 7, 2025 | Tax Law
Avoid These Deduction Mistakes Before You Lodge Your Tax Return Claiming deductions is one of the easiest ways to reduce your tax bill, but mistakes are common — and some can carry penalties or delays. The ATO has been increasing scrutiny, so knowing what errors to...
by Chris Garlick | Sep 30, 2025 | Tax Law
How the 2025–26 Income Tax Cuts Affect Your Take-Home Pay Tax time in 2025 brings meaningful changes to how Australians are taxed. The 2025–26 income tax cuts, part of the Stage 3 reforms, aim to ease inflation and rising cost-of-living pressures. But how much...
