2026 Blogs

Stop leaving money on the worksite.

Every year, Perth tradies and contractors overpay tax because they don’t claim what they’re entitled to, miss key deadlines, or are running the wrong business structure. This guide gives you eight practical, no-jargon tips to get the most from tax time — and shows you how North Coast Accounting helps you keep more of what you earn.

Owning a rental property can be one of the smartest financial moves you make — but only if you're on top of your tax obligations. With the ATO sharpening its focus on rental property claims in 2025–26, and a significant new ruling just finalised, there's never been a more important time to get this right.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or a first-time landlord, here's everything you need to know heading into tax time 2026.

If you did any work from home during 2025–26 — whether that's a couple of days a week or full-time — you may be entitled to claim a deduction for the extra running costs it creates. The ATO offers two ways to work this out: the fixed rate method and the actual cost method. Which one gives you the better result depends on how much you work from home, and how good your records are.

Here's what each method covers, what you can't claim either way, and the records you'll need to back up your claim.

Electric vehicles are now common enough on Australian roads that most EV owners are asking the same question at tax time: what am I actually allowed to claim? The good news is the ATO treats an EV or plug-in hybrid exactly like a petrol car for work-related expense purposes — the same two claim methods apply. The only real difference is how you account for “fuel”, since your fuel is electricity.

Here's a rundown of what you can claim on your 2025–26 return, what you can't, and the records you'll need.

Every year, thousands of Australians leave money on the table at tax time — not because they did anything wrong, but simply because they didn't know what they could claim. With the 2025–26 return now open for lodgement, here are the ten deductions our clients most commonly overlook — and how to make sure you're not missing out.

What’s changed at tax time 2026 and what it means for you.

Tax time is here, and 2026 brings some genuinely meaningful changes — including a tax rate cut that puts more money in most people’s pockets, new rental property rules, tightened deduction claims, and new trust reporting requirements. Read on for a clear breakdown.

In this guide, we answer the most common startup business questions to help you establish a strong foundation from day one. Whether you're launching as a sole trader, company, trust, or partnership, understanding your obligations early can help you avoid costly mistakes, remain compliant with the ATO, and maximise available tax benefits

The Federal Budget often introduces changes that can affect individuals, families, investors, retirees, and business owners. We have compiled the answers to some of the most common questions our clients ask about negative gearing, capital gain tax, trust taxation & other key budget measures.

The Australian Federal Budget for 2026–2027 proposes far-reaching changes to the Australian tax system that will have significant impacts on a range of taxpayers. Whilst a number of the measures were widely telegraphed, the implementation likely increases the Australian tax burden on most investments, whilst also adding significant layers of increased complexity, and leaving key details unresolved.