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What does Trump’s looming ‘revenge tax’ mean for Australia?

<div class="theconversation-article-body">The Australian Labor Party just won an <a href="https://theconversation.com/albanese-increases-majority-and-dutton-loses-seat-in-stunning-election-landslide-255616">election victory for the ages</a>. Now, it may be forced to walk back one of the key achievements of its first term.</p> <p>Here’s why: United States President Donald Trump is about to declare an income tax war on much of the world – and we Australians are not on the same side.</p> <p>Over in the US, the “<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text">One Big Beautiful Bill act</a>” – a tax and spending package worth trillions of dollars – has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/22/what-is-trump-big-beautiful-bill">passed</a> by the House of Representatives. It’s now before the Senate for consideration.</p> <p>Within it lies a new and highly controversial provision: <a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/30/taxes-section-899-big-beautiful-bill">Section 899</a>. This increases various US tax rates payable by taxpayers from any country the US claims is maintaining an “unfair foreign tax” by five percentage points each year, up to an additional 20% loading.</p> <p>Having been an integral part of an international effort to create a global 15% minimum tax, Australia now finds itself in the firing line of Trump’s “<a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/revenge-tax-buried-deep-budget-213451951.html">revenge tax</a>” warfare – and it’s a fight we’re unlikely to win.</p> <h2>A global minimum tax rate</h2> <p>The origins of the looming income tax war <a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2013/07/action-plan-on-base-erosion-and-profit-shifting_g1g30e67.html">started in 2013</a>, when the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (<a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/about.html">OECD</a>) released its plan to stamp out “base erosion and profit shifting”.</p> <p>This refers to a range of strategies often used by multinational companies to minimise the tax they pay, exploiting differences and gaps in the tax rules of different countries.</p> <p>The OECD’s first attempt to tackle the problem was a collection of disparate measures directed not only at corporate tax avoidance, but also controlling tax poaching by national governments and “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/apr/29/sweetheart-tax-deals">sweetheart deals</a>” negotiated by tax officials.</p> <p>Under both Labor and the Coalition, Australia was initially an enthusiastic backer of these attempts.</p> <p>However, the project was not a widespread success. Many countries endorsed the final reports but, unlike Australia, few countries acted on them.</p> <p>After the failure of this first project, the OECD tried again in 2019. This evolved to encompass two “pillars” to change the global tax rules.</p> <p><a href="https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/topics/policy-issues/cross-border-and-international-tax/pillar-one-amount-a-fact-sheet.pdf">Pillar one</a> would give more tax to countries where a company’s customers are located. <a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/sub-issues/global-minimum-tax/global-anti-base-erosion-model-rules-pillar-two.html">Pillar two</a> is a minimum tax of 15% on (a version of) the accounting profits of the largest multinationals earned in each country where the multinational operates.</p> <p>Labor picked up this project for the 2022 election, <a href="https://jimchalmers.org/latest-news/media-releases/labor-s-plan-to-ensure-multinationals-pay-their-fair-share-of-tax/">promising</a> to support both pillars – and they honoured that promise.</p> <h2>Mixed success</h2> <p>Around the world, the two pillar project had mixed success. Pillar one was dead-on-arrival: most countries did nothing. But Australia and several other countries, mostly in Europe, implemented pillar two – the global minimum tax.</p> <p>The OECD has always maintained the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project was a coalition of the willing, meant to rebalance the way income tax is allocated between producer and consumer countries, and rid the world of tax havens.</p> <p>In the US, Republicans <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/yellen-us-negotiating-rd-tax-credit-part-global-tax-deal-2024-04-30/">did not share that view</a>. For them, BEPS was simply another attempt by foreign countries to get more tax from US companies.</p> <p>This Republican dissatisfaction with the OECD is now on full display. On the first day of his second term, Trump issued an <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/the-organization-for-economic-co-operation-and-development-oecd-global-tax-deal-global-tax-deal/">executive order</a>, formally repudiating any OECD commitments the Biden administration might have given.</p> <p>He also directed his officials to report on options for retaliatory measures the US could take against any foreign countries with income tax rules that are “extraterritorial” or “disproportionately affect American companies”.</p> <h2>Why Australia is so exposed</h2> <p>Australia could find itself in the firing line of Trump’s tax warfare on many fronts. And the US doesn’t lack firepower. Section 899 adds to a number of <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-90-year-old-tax-rule-trump-could-use-to-double-us-taxes-on-foreigners-248154">retaliatory tax provisions</a> the US already had at its disposal.</p> <p>The increased tax rates would affect Australian super funds and other investors earning dividends, rent, interest, royalties and other income from US companies. Australian super funds in particular are heavily invested in US markets, which have outperformed local stocks in recent years.</p> <p>It would also affect Australian managed funds owning land and infrastructure assets in the US, as well as Australian entities such as banks that carry on business in the US.</p> <p>And there are other measures that would expose US subsidiaries of Australian companies to US higher tax.</p> <p>The bill would even remove the doctrine of sovereign immunity for the governments of “offending” countries. <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/your-tax-return/if-you-disagree-with-an-ato-decision/object-to-a-decision/what-to-include-in-your-objection/supporting-information-to-provide/sovereign-immunity">Sovereign immunity</a> refers to a tax exemption on returns that usually applies to governments. This means the Australian government itself could have to pay tax to the US.</p> <p>There are <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-30/trump-revenge-tax-would-lower-foreign-investment-in-us-scorekeeper-predicts">concerns on Wall Street</a> this will dampen demand for US government bonds from foreign governments, which are big buyers of US Treasuries. The argument may sway some in the Senate – but how many remains to be seen.</p> <h2>What Australia may need to do next</h2> <p>We may be incredulous that anyone would consider our tax system combative, but enacting the OECD pillar two was always known to be risky.</p> <p>There are other, homegrown Australian tax measures that have drawn American ire.</p> <p>In 2015, Australia enacted an income tax measure (commonly called the “<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/google-restructures-to-avoid-hefty-penalties-in-australia-as-tax-bill-hits-16-million-20160429-goi8fl.html">Google tax</a>”) specifically directed at US tech companies. In 2017, we followed this up with a <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/international-tax-for-business/in-detail/doing-business-in-australia-or-overseas/diverted-profits-tax">diverted profits tax</a>. Trump’s bill specifically targets both measures.</p> <p>Tying ourselves to the OECD’s global minimum tax project might have seemed like a good idea in 2019. In 2025, it looks decidedly unappealing, and not just because of Trump.</p> <p>First, there is not actually any serious revenue in pillar two for Australia. Treasury’s <a href="https://archive.budget.gov.au/2023-24/bp2/download/bp2_2023-24.pdf">revenue estimate</a> totalled only $360 million after four years, just slightly more than a rounding error in the federal budget.</p> <p>Second, we are increasingly alone and vulnerable in this battle. It might feel emotionally satisfying to stand up to the US. If there was a sizeable coalition alongside us, there might be some point.</p> <p>If Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill act does pass through the US Senate, the Australian government and business will be left exposed to much higher costs.</p> <p>Since abandoning the US market is not really an option, it might be time to surrender quietly and gracefully – by reversing, at the very least, the contentious bits of pillar two.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/257961/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/graeme-cooper-3215">Graeme Cooper</a>, Professor of Taxation Law, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-is-in-the-firing-line-of-trumps-looming-revenge-tax-its-a-fight-were-unlikely-to-win-257961">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Pexels / <span style="font-family: 'Canva Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Roboto, -apple-system, blinkmacsystemfont, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre;">Nataliya Vaitkevich</span></em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

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Dramatic rescue operation after tourist boat sinks off Bali coast

<p>There were dramatic scenes off the southeast coast of Bali on Wednesday when a tourist boat carrying dozens of passengers capsized near Nusa Lembongan.</p> <p>The vessel, known as <em>The Tanis</em>, had just departed Lembongan Village around 4.30pm local time with 89 people on board – 77 foreigners and 12 Indonesian nationals – when it was struck by a wave from behind and began taking on water.</p> <p>Eyewitnesses rushed to assist as the vessel tilted, causing passengers to slip into the sea. A large-scale rescue effort was launched immediately, and by 6.30pm all passengers had been safely evacuated, with authorities confirming there were no fatalities or serious injuries.</p> <p>Divers were later deployed to search the sunken boat and surrounding seabed as a precaution, ensuring no one had been left behind.</p> <p>Footage of the incident was shared by @bali.info.official, who reported that the boat was still relatively new, having only been in operation for about three months. According to their post, the boat was offloading passengers from Gili at Mushroom Bay, with its bow resting onshore, when powerful waves began to strike its stern.</p> <p>“The captain made the decision to move the boat back out to sea,” the post explained, “but because the boat was already filled with water, it became unstable. The panic among passengers made the situation worse, causing the boat to tilt and eventually sink.”</p> <p>Despite the chaos, locals and nearby responders coordinated to recover both passengers and their belongings. "A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped rescue the passengers and recover their belongings," the post concluded.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKe5vZHSciB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKe5vZHSciB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by BALI INFO (@bali.info.official)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Most of the rescued tourists opted to remain in Nusa Lembongan for the night, while only two chose to continue their journey to Sanur Harbor– the original destination of <em>The Tanis</em>, which has a total capacity of 125 passengers.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Tourists flee in terror as Mount Etna erupts

<p>What began as a bucket-list adventure quickly turned to chaos as one of the world’s most formidable volcanoes, Mount Etna, erupted with terrifying ferocity during a sightseeing tour on Monday. The explosion, described as sudden and deafening, sent tourists scrambling for their lives as ash and fire rained down from the sky.</p> <p>The dramatic eruption struck without warning, unleashing a thunderous boom that echoed across the Sicilian landscape. A plume of ash, hot gas and rock shot several kilometres into the air, engulfing the mountain's summit in darkness and igniting panic among those exploring the crater’s edge.</p> <p>In harrowing footage now circulating on social media, wide-eyed tourists are seen sprinting down the slopes of the volcano as thick, grey ash clouds blot out the sun behind them. Some, gripped by a mix of fear and awe, paused only momentarily – phones raised – to capture the apocalyptic spectacle unfolding above them.</p> <p>“It arrived all at once – an immense smoke, immense, immense roar,” recalled Giuseppe Panfallo, a guide with Go Etna, whose group of 40 tourists was perilously close to the blast. In video shared with CNN, his group is seen huddled together as a towering wall of ash looms behind them. “We were two steps away. Thank goodness we had a responsible guide.”</p> <p>Aviation authorities issued an immediate red alert to aircraft as sulphuric clouds billowed into the atmosphere, disrupting air traffic in the region. The eruption – the most powerful seen from Etna since 2014 – was accompanied by what experts believe was a partial collapse of the volcano’s south-east crater, adding to the eruption’s sudden intensity.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="de">Sudden eruption on Etna volcano! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/etna?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#etna</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sicily?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sicily</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/volcano?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#volcano</a> <a href="https://t.co/WCpwNcQ5U8">pic.twitter.com/WCpwNcQ5U8</a></p> <p>— finnbaen (@finnbenedikt) <a href="https://twitter.com/finnbenedikt/status/1929493329609154780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>Hiking guide Alessio Zocco, 33, who was leading a separate group at the time, described the eruption’s signature moment: “Today’s eruption seemed, at first, similar to others – but what made it stand out was a sudden, powerful boom. It was a dramatic moment, but fortunately short-lived.”</p> <p>Etna, which draws approximately 1.5 million visitors annually, is revered for its breathtaking beauty and feared for its unpredictable temperament. Despite its history of activity, Monday’s eruption served as a stark reminder of the volcano’s raw, untamed power.</p> <p>“Mount Etna is a majestic and unpredictable force of nature,” Zocco said. “It commands respect, but it also offers one of the most powerful and awe-inspiring experiences you can witness.”</p> <p>Miraculously, all tourists and trekkers on the mountain were evacuated without injury, according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology Observatory. But the memory of the eruption – and the terror it inspired – will linger long after the ash settles.</p> <p>As emergency crews continue to monitor the volcano for aftershocks, authorities have urged caution to those hoping to witness Etna's fury up close. For the hundreds caught in Monday’s drama, the message is clear: nature may be beautiful – but it is never to be underestimated.</p> <p><em>Images: X (formerly Twitter)</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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"No sympathy": 26-year-old roasted over massive tax bill complaint

<p>It’s a classic tale of riches to tax brackets – OnlyFans creator Talia Batiste, 26, has found herself in the fiery depths of an Australian Tax Office reckoning, and the internet has wasted no time serving up a heaping plate of zero sympathy.</p> <p>Batiste, who revealed that she’s been hit with a tax bill totalling $71,008.45 (yes, she included the cents for maximum devastation), took to social media to lament her financial woes.</p> <p>“For everyone that likes to make sure I’m paying my tax. I’m going to go and cry myself to sleep now,” she wrote, presumably while clutching her silk pillow stuffed with $100 bills.</p> <p>The internet’s reaction? Less “thoughts and prayers”, more “play stupid games, win inevitable government-mandated financial responsibilities”.</p> <p>“Absolutely robbery,” one concerned citizen commented, clearly distressed by the idea of anyone having to contribute to society.</p> <p>“To pay that much tax, you earn a sh**load. No sympathy,” another user shot back, presumably while furiously entering their own lacklustre income into a tax return calculator.</p> <p>Some were more pragmatic, offering sage financial wisdom. “I hope you have a good accountant to get you those tax deductions,” someone advised, the unspoken message being: “There’s still hope, young one.”</p> <p>While many scoffed at the idea of crying over a salary that most people only see on TV shows where billionaires buy entire islands for sport, Batiste remained defiant.</p> <p><a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/cry-myself-to-sleep-26yearold-in-tears-over-giant-tax-bill/news-story/7adfcb10f0ea62a1749f4dc6c1b65934" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Speaking to news.com.au</a>, she admitted that the bill “wasn’t too bad” compared to the tax nightmares of yesteryear. (Yes, it turns out paying taxes gets easier when you know they’re coming. Who knew?)</p> <p>Batiste revealed that an early accounting blunder had initially classified her as a sole trader rather than a business, making her tax situation about as pleasant as a surprise phone call from the ATO.</p> <p>“So when I make $400,000+ a year, it looks like that is my personal income rather than money going back into a business,” she explained, finally unlocking the ancient wisdom of self-employment taxation. Now, with proper financial advice in place, she says she takes a modest salary while the rest of her earnings go into business expenses – like, presumably, funding the tissue budget for her post-tax breakdowns.</p> <p>Despite her newfound tax strategy, Batiste insists that the process “never gets easier”. (Except for last year, when she owed a whopping $136k, making this year’s bill look like pocket change by comparison.)</p> <p>She also had some words about Australia’s taxation system: “Everybody pays too much tax.”</p> <p>Yes, much like death and bad reality TV spin-offs, taxation is inevitable. But Batiste isn’t letting it get her down – at least, not too much. Even though she says she’s “prepared” for these bills now, that doesn’t mean she enjoys sending her hard-earned money into the great abyss of government spending.</p> <p>“Hitting send on that ATO payment hurts every time,” she said.</p> <p>Meanwhile, taxpayers earning a fraction of her income simply sighed, checked their bank balances, and went back to their regularly scheduled programming: budgeting how to afford avocados and rent in the same month.</p> <p><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Replacing stamp duty with a land tax could save home buyers big money. Here’s how

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Infrastructure Victoria has released a <a href="https://assets.infrastructurevictoria.com.au/assets/Victorias-draft-30-year-infrastructure-strategy.pdf">draft 30-year plan </a> outlining how the state can grow sustainably.</p> <p>It focuses on key areas like transport, housing, energy, and public services to support a growing population and improve liveability. The plan also suggests ways to make the state’s infrastructure and tax system fairer, more efficient and more sustainable.</p> <p>The plan’s recommendations are expected to cost between A$60 billion and $75 billion, mostly spent before 2035. This is around 10% of <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/national-accounts/australian-national-accounts-state-accounts/2023-24-financial-year#data-downloads">Victoria’s yearly economic output</a> in 2023-24, spread over the next decade.</p> <p>With Victoria already spending record amounts on infrastructure, and <a href="https://pbo.vic.gov.au/document/BudgetUpdateSnapshot2024-25">budget deficits forecast</a> until 2025-26, finding the money to fund social housing, transport and other projects is a key challenge. We estimate the Infrastructure Victoria proposals would add between $4 billion and $5 billion to Victorian government expenditure each year.</p> <p>Yet one of its proposals — replacing stamp duty with an annual land tax — would only cost between $1 million and $5 million to implement, but generate substantial gains for Victorian households.</p> <h2>Why replace stamp duty with land tax?</h2> <p>Stamp duty is one of the biggest barriers to moving house in Victoria and other Australian states. This tax, which people pay when they buy property, adds thousands of dollars to the cost of moving.</p> <p>In 2022-23, Victorians paid about <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/national-accounts/australian-national-accounts-state-accounts/2023-24-financial-year#data-downloads">$12 billion</a> to move house. Of this, $3 billion went to actual moving costs (like real estate services, and removalists) and $9 billion was <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/government/taxation-revenue-australia/latest-release#data-downloads">stamp duty</a>.</p> <p>That’s an effective tax rate of 300% on the true cost of moving, and in 2023 <a href="https://www.e-business.sro.vic.gov.au/calculators/land-transfer-duty">added about</a> $40,000, or 5.3%, to the cost of purchasing the average Victorian home.</p> <p>High stamp duty discourages people from relocating, even when their needs change — whether that’s moving for a new job, finding a bigger home for a growing family or downsizing after retirement. This leads to longer commutes, traffic congestion and a less efficient housing market. </p> <p>Switching from stamp duty to an annual land tax would make moving easier and spread the tax burden more fairly.</p> <p>Instead of a large, one-time tax when buying a home, all landowners would pay a smaller tax each year. This would help fund schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure more sustainably.</p> <h2>What can we learn from Canberra?</h2> <p>Victoria University’s Centre of Policy Studies <a href="https://www.treasury.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1618407/cops-final-report.pdf">studied a similar reform</a> in the Australian Capital Territory, where stamp duty has been gradually phased out since 2012 and replaced with higher general rates (a type of land tax).</p> <p>Each year, the ACT government sets a target for how much money it needs to raise. Landowners then pay a share of that total, based on the value of their land.</p> <p>One of the biggest benefits of this approach is that it raises money more efficiently. Unlike other taxes, land taxes don’t discourage investment or economic activity.</p> <p>The study found removing stamp duty had a big positive impact on the ACT’s economy. Around 80% of the economic boost came from removing stamp duty, while introducing land tax also had benefits. By studying transaction data from the ACT, we showed each 10% reduction stamp duty rates drove a 6% rise in property transactions.</p> <h2>Would it help housing affordability?</h2> <p>One of the main arguments for replacing stamp duty with land tax is its effect on housing prices. Economists widely agree land taxes reduce land values, which makes housing more affordable. </p> <p>However, the impact of removing stamp duty is less predictable. Our previous research found <a href="https://theconversation.com/swapping-stamp-duty-for-land-tax-would-push-down-house-prices-but-push-up-apartment-prices-new-modelling-finds-184381">the effect on house prices</a> depends on how often properties are bought and sold. Apartments, for example, tend to change hands more frequently than houses. Because of this, removing stamp duty tends to push up apartment prices more than house prices.</p> <p>Even so, the overall effect of the reform is a drop in property prices. The challenge is ensuring this price reduction is evenly spread across different types of housing.</p> <h2>A fairer tax system</h2> <p>To make the system fairer, policymakers could adjust how land tax is applied. One option is to introduce a fixed-rate component, as <a href="https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/grants-schemes/previous-schemes/first-home-buyer-choice">proposed </a> in New South Wales. Another idea, suggested 15 years ago in the <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-10/afts_final_report_part_1_consolidated.pdf">Henry Tax Review</a>, is to base the tax on the per-square-metre value of land.</p> <p>Another key factor is housing supply. If planning laws allow more high-density housing in inner suburbs, price changes could be better managed.</p> <h2>We also need short-term solutions</h2> <p>Replacing stamp duty with land tax is a long-term reform that would take years to fully implement. The ACT, for example, planned a 20-year transition.</p> <p>If all state governments implemented this reform, we estimate Australian households would ultimately be <a href="https://www.copsmodels.com/ftp/workpapr/g-337.pdf">better off by about</a> $,1600 per household per year.</p> <p>In the short term, <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-the-best-way-to-ease-rents-and-improve-housing-affordability-we-modelled-4-of-the-governments-biggest-programs-225446">other policies </a> could help improve housing affordability. These include increasing Commonwealth Rent Assistance and rethinking first-home buyer support. These steps could complement broader tax, infrastructure and housing supply reforms.</p> <p>The Victorian government is <a href="https://engage.vic.gov.au/victorias30yearinfrastructurestrategy">seeking feedback</a> on the draft plan before releasing the final version later this year. This is an opportunity for Victorians to contribute ideas on how to shape the state’s future and ensure its infrastructure and tax system work for everyone.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/251472/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jason-nassios-318488"><em>Jason Nassios</em></a><em>, Associate Professor, Centre of Policy Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/victoria-university-1175">Victoria University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/james-giesecke-9853">James Giesecke</a>, Professor, Centre of Policy Studies and the Impact Project, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/victoria-university-1175">Victoria University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/replacing-stamp-duty-with-a-land-tax-could-save-home-buyers-big-money-heres-how-251472">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: 7news.com.au</em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

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Cricket great takes aim at Albo's beer tax freeze

<p>Cricket great David Warner has slammed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's move to combat soaring beer prices. </p> <p>On Monday, Albanese promised to pause the government's tax hike on beers poured at pubs for the next two years. </p> <p>Albanese announced the policy while enjoying his "first beer of the year" at the Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre in Marrickville.</p> <p>"This will make a difference. It is a positive announcement. As I said, good for beer drinkers, good for pubs and clubs, good for cost of living pressures," he said. </p> <p>Australia's inflation-indexed alcohol tax - which increases twice annually - has long been an issue for breweries, pub owners and customers. </p> <p>This month, there was a 3.5 per cent rise on the price of beer, an additional cost that usually gets passed onto the customer. </p> <p>The Prime Minister said if he is re-elected, the Labor government would freeze the indexation on draught beer excise for 24 months from the next indexation date this coming August. </p> <p>However, Warner believes this move is a "few years too late," slamming the Prime Minister's pledge on social media. </p> <p>Warner, who is an investor and director of Victoria's St Andrews Beach Brewery, has been affected by the rising prices. </p> <p>Shortly after Albanese's announcement, Coalition treasury spokesman Angus Taylor said Peter Dutton, if elected, would also freeze tax.</p> <p>"The government has chosen the eve of an election to promise voters a freeze on a tax that has skyrocketed due to its failure to address inflation at its core," Taylor said.</p> <p><em>Image: LUKAS COCH/EPA-EFE/ Shutterstock Editorial/ Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Kiwi tourist banned for life after diving into Trevi Fountain

<p>Three tourists from New Zealand have landed themselves in trouble after they were caught wading into the famous Trevi Fountain in central Rome. </p> <p>As they were being escorted away from the popular tourist attraction, one of them, a 30-year-old man wrestled free from the police and jumped into the fountain as authorities chased him, according to a spokesperson for Rome's Capitol Police.</p> <p>He managed to bypass the controlled area by climbing over the marble sculptures lining the fountain basin. </p> <p>"Alcohol was definitely involved," the spokesperson told <em>CNN</em>. </p> <p>The man was fined 500 euros ($832 AUD) and banned from visiting the iconic landmark for life. </p> <p>Each year, about a dozen tourists are fined for dipping things into the fountain, whether it is their toes or a water bottle, according to Roman police. </p> <p>Taking a dip in the fountain has been an aspiration for many tourists, who may have been inspired by Federico Fellini's 1960 film <em>La Dolce Vita</em>, where the main actress waded into the fountain in an evening gown. </p> <p>Other ill<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">-behaved tourists have tried stealing some of </span> the 1.5 million euros worth of coins that are thrown into the water each year. The money, is collected daily and donated to a charity. </p> <p>In 2024, the city introduced a limit to the number of visitors allowed to be in front of the fountain, to 400 at a time, with the access area open from 9 am to 9 pm daily. </p> <p><em>Image: </em><em>vvoe / Shutterstock.com</em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Trouble

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Use it or lose it as historic super cap prepares to expire

<p><em><strong>Jordan Kennedy is a Partner at accounting and advisory firm Pitcher Partners Sydney. </strong></em></p> <p>Australians could be sitting on a golden opportunity to spur their super savings this year — but if they don’t act fast, they will miss out. </p> <p>That’s because in July they will lose the entitlement to claim any unused superannuation tax concessions from 2019-20, known as the concessional cap. </p> <p>The concessional cap is the total annual amount that can be contributed into super by a person’s employer, through salary sacrifice or claimed as a tax deduction, before the person is charged at the ordinary taxable rate. </p> <p>In other words, for most Australians there is a gap between what they or their employer contribute each year and the total amount they could contribute, taking advantage of tax concessions. </p> <p>In 2019-20, that capped amount was $25,000, and unless people were making or receiving contributions above the superannuation guarantee, they would have needed to earn about $260,000 to hit the cap. </p> <p>If they didn’t, there may still be ‘available’ cap that has built up over the last five years and can be used to access the 15% tax rate on earnings — until July 1, when the cap expires. </p> <p>While this sounds technical, reviewing past superannuation contributions and checking to see that caps have been maxed out is one of the easiest ways to achieve a tax deduction. </p> <p>Of course, there are a few aspects to this strategy that bear consideration. </p> <p>The concession cap system is a use it or lose it play. Any gap between contributions and cap will expire after five years, so this is the last chance to retrospectively boost your superannuation using the 2019-20 cap.</p> <p>That said, as this is the first year we have seen the cap expire, it might have slipped the minds of many. </p> <p>Even if you have maxed out the cap for that year, you should take the opportunity to look at more recent years as well to see if you have been carrying forward an available pool of tax concessions. </p> <p>The second thing to note is that the vast majority of Australians will have a tax cap opportunity available. </p> <p>For anyone on an average salary, the cap gap can grow by $10,000 or more each year, unless additional contributions are made through salary sacrifice or as a tax deduction.</p> <p>The concession is also available for those who might have stopped work to have children or who are reducing their workload approaching retirement. </p> <p>Check with your accountant or your super fund — you might have tens of thousands of dollars in tax concessions available for use. </p> <p>Thirdly, consider your timing. </p> <p>If you know you will have tax capacity in coming years, try to time your use for those years where you have a significant tax event, such as realising capital gains. </p> <p>This can reduce your tax liability without disrupting your other plans. </p> <p>In this case, seeking strategic advice is extremely important to determine the optimal outcome for your circumstances. </p> <p>And finally, recognise there are exceptions.</p> <p>People whose superannuation balance is already over $500,000 are excluded from taking advantage of the cap rollover, but could still benefit from advice on how they should balance their tax liabilities while maximising their superannuation. </p> <p>Whatever your circumstance, speaking to a qualified, independent advisor is the first step to ensure you are working within the complex rules that govern super and taking best advantage of the tax concessions available.</p> <p>But if there is an opportunity to reduce your tax liability for limited effort, you would be mad not to explore your options. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Retirement Income

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Tourists explain why they love “overrated” capital cities

<p dir="ltr">A group of travellers have explained why they love some capital cities that are often dubbed as “overrated”. </p> <p dir="ltr">On a dedicated travel thread on Reddit, one person asked the question, “Which capital city gets a lot of hate that you loved visiting?” which welcomed an influx of responses. </p> <p dir="ltr">A few capital cities were mentioned several times, one of which being the Greece capital of Athens. </p> <p dir="ltr">One Reddit user said they “avoided” Athens for a long time “because all I heard was negativity about it”.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, when they “finally went”, they say they “loved it” and “can't wait to go back”. </p> <p dir="ltr">Another person said they actually “loved” the city's “gritty feel” adding, “Incredible history at every turn, delicious affordable food, fun bars, cool music venues, neighbourhoods full of character and beautiful viewpoints.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another capital that was mentioned was the Norwegian capital of Oslo, with one person saying the Scandinavian city was perfect for a short getaway. </p> <p dir="ltr">They wrote, “I’m not advising anyone to go for a long time but for a weekend trip, it’s lovely. The seaside is great with lots of beautiful modern architecture, the old town is picturesque, lots of trendy new places to eat and drink, some old castles to walk to and in general a really nice vibe and very walkable.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Washington D.C. was also mentioned with many people defending the city, with one person claiming “it’s generally other Americans who hate it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">One person wrote of the city, “We have great museums, food, way more nature than you’d expect for a city, and incredible music and dance scenes. It’s not just insufferable bureaucracy and politics.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The Belgian capital of Brussels was also mentioned, with the city often copping a lot of flack amongst travellers. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, many were quick to defend the city, as one person wrote,”I loved Brussels, it’s beautiful in places, has amazing museums, great beer, the EU Parliament is really interesting and the Atomium is awesome.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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Travelling in 2025? Here’s how to become a ‘regenerative’ tourist

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/veselina-stoyanova-2260559">Veselina Stoyanova</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-birmingham-1138">University of Birmingham</a></em></p> <p>At the start of a new year, many of us contemplate resolutions aimed at self-improvement and a better lifestyle. It is also a time when many of us start thinking about holidays.</p> <p>But have you considered combining the two? Could 2025 be the year when you resolve to be a better traveller?</p> <p>For in 2024, many tourists were on the receiving end of a very loud and very clear message. In some of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations, including Barcelona and Mallorca, there were <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/27/travel/why-europe-has-become-an-epicenter-for-anti-tourism-protests-this-summer/index.html">large protests</a> against the negative effects of mass tourism.</p> <p>Overcrowding, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160738319300817?via%3Dihub">environmental damage</a>, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160738321001420?via%3Dihub">unaffordable housing</a> and cultural erosion appear to have pushed communities to their limits. There are <a href="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20240925-the-summer-that-tourism-fell-apart">vocal demands</a> to make tourism <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160738322001621#s0045">more sustainable</a>.</p> <p>So, perhaps it’s time for travellers to <a href="https://www.unwto.org/tourism-data/un-tourism-tourism-dashboard">shift towards</a> a more sensitive and responsible form of travel.</p> <p><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14616688.2022.2044376#abstract">“Regenerative” tourism</a>, for example, aims to enhance the wellbeing of places and the people who live in them. Unlike mass tourism, which often strains resources and compromises residents’ <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21568316.2019.1599604">quality of life</a>, regenerative tourism is about giving back – by supporting local economies, preserving cultures and nurturing the environment.</p> <p>This means treating your holiday as more than a personal escape. Instead of just lying on a sun lounger, consider planting trees in a reforestation project or learning traditional crafts from local artisans and participating in cultural events.</p> <p>Depending on the location, there might be chances to join in <a href="https://www.volunteerworld.com/en/volunteer-abroad/voluntourism">community programmes</a> which help alleviate poverty or improve the lives of Indigenous communities. These actions can empower locals and help create a more inclusive environment.</p> <p>Wherever you go, you can seek out experiences which help to <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals">restore and sustain</a> the places you visit. Imagine, for instance, learning traditional Venetian glassblowing techniques as a way of supporting the artisans who keep this ancient craft alive in Italy.</p> <p>In rural Spain, you could support local communities in remote villages by staying in family-run guesthouses. Or in Bulgaria, you could join farm-to-table dining experiences and visit organic farms in the Thracian Valley to help promote local food production and <a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/hunger/">food security</a>.</p> <p>There may be local events or workshops you can join, cooking classes you can take, or cultural festivals where you can interact with residents and appreciate their perspective.</p> <p>All of these – and countless other examples – are opportunities for travellers to make a contribution to the places they visit, leaving a positive impact. They also offer the traveller the chance to make personal connections and unforgettable memories – providing moments to engage directly with locals people, to ask questions and learn about local culture and history and community activities. Being a gracious guest promotes goodwill and strengthens the bond between travellers and locals.</p> <h2>Direction of travel</h2> <p>These connections also make holidays not merely about personal enjoyment, but about something deeper, with a positive affect on the places we visit.</p> <p>So as you browse the idyllic destinations you might decide to travel to in 2025, it’s worth asking yourself whether you want to be a passive tourist, or a regenerative traveller who combines a sense of curiosity with a sense of responsibility.</p> <p>Tourism in 2025 will be a big part of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211973617300922">many countries’ economies</a>, but not everyone is happy with the industry and its impact on the world. Yet, consumers can change its direction.</p> <p>The choices we make about our travel plans could mean the difference between a holiday that contributes to a legacy of positive change or one that perpetuates the social and environmental issues facing the planet and its people.</p> <p>As we look ahead, the question is not just where to travel on holiday, but how to travel. Perhaps 2025 could be the year that your adventures inspire transformation, creating a sustainable and inclusive future for tourism. It’s a resolution worth thinking about for years to come.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/245719/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/veselina-stoyanova-2260559"><em>Veselina Stoyanova</em></a><em>, Associate Professor in Strategy &amp; International Management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-birmingham-1138">University of Birmingham</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/travelling-in-2025-heres-how-to-become-a-regenerative-tourist-245719">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Travel Tips

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Aussie locals call for tourist ban on popular island

<p>Residents in Western Australia are urging the government to put a ban on tourists travelling to a popular island near Perth to help protect a dwindling little penguin population.</p> <p>Penguin Island is located about 53km south of Perth and is home to 114 little penguins, a decline in the bird’s population by 94 per cent since 2007.</p> <p>Save Rockingham’s Little Penguins activist Dawn Jecks said while climate change has made an impact on the dwindling number of penguins in the area, over tourism has also affected the penguins' habitat.</p> <p>“It’s essentially open slather in terms of visitors accessing the areas where the penguins try to cool off,” she said.</p> <p>“There’s nowhere on the beach they can go where they’re not going to be hounded, touched or picked up by visitors."</p> <p>Ms Jecks said about 25 per cent of little penguin deaths occurred by boat strikes with the area seeing an increase of watercraft in recent years.</p> <p>"They need to close down the island for a few years to let the population recover,” she said.</p> <p>Ms Jecks is one of many campaigning for the government to ban recreational boating and tourism on the island, saying it would be shameful if authorities did not act to save the little penguins in an area where the creatures were part of the city of Rockingham’s cultural identity.</p> <p>“How stupid is it going to look when we have Penguin Rd, penguins on the entry sign to Rockingham, penguins on the city’s coat of arms and penguins on the kid’s school jumpers but no penguins,” she said.</p> <p>A WA government spokesman said Penguin Island was an iconic part of WA, and the government was committed to supporting its penguin population.</p> <p>“The health and wellbeing of the penguins will always be the state government’s top priority when it comes to planning for the island," the spokesman said. </p> <p>“Tourism, however, also plays an important role on the island by educating visitors about the penguins and promoting enjoyment of our State’s natural environment.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Tourists reveal dream retirement destination

<p>Many people dream of retiring overseas and Reddit users have shared where they want to spend their golden years. </p> <p>"If you could choose a retirement city among the cities you have visited, which one would you choose?" one user asked. </p> <p>The responses were varied from South Island, New Zealand to Scotland, here are some of destinations:</p> <p><strong>South Island, New Zealand</strong></p> <p>South Island is a dream retirement location for many users on the thread, with "wide open spaces" and "cooler weather" as some of the key reasons why people wanted to retire there. </p> <p>One user wrote: "All the towns we visited [there] were quaint. I could live in any of them." </p> <p>"I loved the ratio of people to wide open spaces. Dunedin was my favourite city, but any of the smaller towns have a lot to recommend them. I also love the cooler weather. Very expensive, though," another commented. </p> <p><strong>Nicosia, Cyprus</strong></p> <p>Others were attracted to the bustling city of Nicosia, with many praising the city's weather and walkability as a plus. </p> <p>"Cypriots are, in general, friendly and down-to-earth people. Nicosia is a capital city with a small-town feel." </p> <p><strong>London, UK</strong></p> <p>While people were divided about retiring in the iconic destination because of the high prices, others praised it for the "metropolitan atmosphere" </p> <p>"Tons of free museums, easy to get around on local buses and Tube, great train links to many places. Free and cheap educational opportunities. Only problem is the cost of housing." </p> <p><strong>Scotland </strong></p> <p>The city's "slow and beautiful" lifestyle makes it a dream retirement spot for many. </p> <p>"I did a house sit in Selkirk, just north of Edinburgh. I could live there very happily. There’s a proper high street with newsagent, butcher, bakery, small grocer. There’s a small loch to walk the dogs around. I left a bit of my heart there," one said. </p> <p>"Any of the little villages on the Isle of Skye. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. The people are unbelievably warm and welcoming," another added. </p> <p><strong>Singapore</strong></p> <p>For a few people who have visited the city, the food, climate, "convenient life" and "very good public security" were some of the plus points listed by travellers. </p> <p><strong>Annecy, France </strong></p> <p>The Alpine town had a lot of travellers' interest with any praising its beauty and convenience. </p> <p>"Currently in Annecy for an extended period and it has shot up to my number one as well. I had never heard of it before coming here, but it’s got quite the magical charm about it. Great location as well," one said. </p> <p>"The perfection of the edge of a stunning lake and the base of the French Alps. And only 40 minutes from Geneva Airport," another added. </p> <p>A few other locations mentioned in the thread included the southern Mexican city of Oaxaca, praised for its relaxed lifestyle, and San Diego, USA, praised for its city lifestyle and beautiful beaches. </p> <p><em>Image: </em><em>Collection Maykova / Shutterstock.com</em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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Bali tourists killed in freak accident

<p>Two tourists have died and a third has been injured after a freak tree fall at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud on Tuesday. </p> <p>The terrifying moment was caught on camera, with video footage showing the tree trunk unexpectedly snapping and crashing across the footpath in the popular tourist attraction. </p> <p>It also knocked over huge Balinese stone statues and at least a dozen people were seen running away from the spot, and they can be heard yelling "what the f---" and "help".</p> <p>Police said two women, reportedly from France, age 32, and South Korea, age 42, were killed in the freak accident. </p> <p>A third person, another South Korean woman was being treated in the Kenak Medika Hospital.</p> <p>Bali Regional Police spokesperson Kombes Pol Jansen Avitus Panjaitan told local media that sudden heavy rain and strong winds swept across the area and staff were cleaning up the mess of other trees that had fallen when the fourth came down. </p> <p>“At that time, there were many tourists visiting and seeing it, then the tourists ran around to save themselves, but there were some tourists who were hit by trees,” he told <em>The Bali Sun</em>.</p> <p>“For the victims who died or were injured, they are still entrusted and treated at the Ubud Kenak Medika Hospital while waiting for the results of coordination with the Immigration and the victim’s family.”</p> <p>The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary also released a statement explaining that the tree was not old. </p> <p>“With deep regret that a tree fell due to strong winds in the Monkey Forest Ubud area,” they said.</p> <p>“We would like to emphasise that the fallen tree was in healthy condition.</p> <p>“We regularly conduct tree monitoring and pruning as part of our commitment to the safety of visitors, staff, and wildlife in the Monkey Forest Ubud.</p> <p>“However, this incident was caused by strong winds and extreme weather conditions beyond human control. We are working closely with authorities to address the situation thoroughly.”</p> <p>The forest will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. </p> <p>The protected jungle area is a popular destination among both tourists and residents who often go there to take their wedding photos. </p> <p>Australians make up a large amount of the tourist numbers in Bali, with 155,143 Aussies heading there in July.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram </em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Sixteen people missing after tourist yacht sinks

<p>Egyptian officials have confirmed sixteen people are missing after a tourist yacht capsized in the Red Sea after being struck by strong waves. </p> <p>The governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafy, said rescuers saved 28 people from the sinking vessel south of the coastal town of Marsa Alam, and some were airlifted to receive medical treatment.</p> <p>The Egyptian Navy warship El Fateh and military aircraft have intensified their efforts to locate the missing, with rescue teams working around the clock.</p> <p>A total of 44 people were on board the yacht, including 13 Egyptians, and 31 foreign nationals from the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain and Ireland.</p> <p>The governor confirmed that 16 people are still missing, including four Egyptians and 12 foreign tourists. </p> <p>The boat had no technical issues, while passengers onboard said the reason behind the sinking was a strong wave that hit the boat, causing it to capsize. </p> <p>The governorate received a report shortly before dawn on Monday of a distress call made from the yacht, which had left Marsa Alam for a five-day journey.</p> <p>The Egyptian Meteorological Authority on Saturday warned about turbulence and high waves on the Red Sea and advised against maritime activity for Sunday and Monday.</p> <p>The boat is the second vessel to sink in the area this year. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Tourist's leg amputated in dramatic rescue

<p>A 69-year-old Lithuanian tourist is fighting for his life after having his leg amputated in an attempt to save his life after he became stuck between rocks in a Tasmanian river. </p> <p>The man, who has decades of experience in white water rafting, was kayaking on the Franklin River when he slipped on a rock and his leg became wedged underwater.</p> <p>Emergency services were called to the scene and quickly ran out of options when trying to pull the man from the water. </p> <p>After several failed attempts to free him, and because of fears his condition was deteriorating, the decision was made to amputate his leg above the knee.</p> <p>The decision was made by medical professionals and in consultation with the man, allowing him to be winched to safety and airlifted to Royal Hobart Hospital.</p> <p>Tasmania Police constable Callum Herbert said the rescue efforts was one some of the most intense scenarios he’s ever seen in the region. </p> <p>“Most entrapments would be more simple than this,” constable Herbert said. </p> <p>“This patient was so entrapped it’s involved an amputation of a limb. It’s pretty much the worst case scenario you could get aside from drowning. He’s fallen into the river in an awkward position."</p> <p>Surf Life Saving Tasmania swift water rescue technician Ace Petrie praised the man and his crew for their efforts during the challenging rescue. </p> <p>“His rafting crew had done a great job in securing him as best they could,” Mr Petrie said.</p> <p>Mr Petrie said the efforts to free the man were arduous, with rescuers even attempting to use the jaws of life equipment underwater. </p> <p>"After we assessed his entrapment, we started off with the basic scenarios using ropes and pulleys. We weren’t budging these rocks at all, this went on for approximately 10-12 hours,” he said. </p> <p>“We had to get that equipment into the water, it was quite fast flowing which made it difficult to get it stable at that time. Everyone wanted this guy out. We weren’t giving up.”</p> <p>Mr Petrie added that another issue they faced was that the trapped man spoke limited English, saying, “He had a little bit of broken english, like when we were trying to pull his leg out he could say ‘My leg’s broken’ or 'broken leg; but a part from that we couldn’t take his mind off the situation by talking to him about his family or the trips he’d done. That was really hard.”</p> <p>Ambulance Tasmania intensive care flight paramedic Mitch Parkinson said the man’s outlook on the entire situation was remarkable and he remained “exceptionally strong and robust” throughout the ordeal. </p> <p>“He maintained an exceptionally resilient persona through the night and he tired through the morning. This was an exceptionally long mission.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Tasmania Police</em></p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p>

Travel Trouble

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Tourist's disrespectful Machu Picchu act slammed

<p>A tourist has been slammed online after she was filmed sprinkling her loved one's ashes at Peru’s Machu Picchu. </p> <p>The clip posted to TikTok by Peruvian tour operator IncaGo Expeditions has been taken down amid fierce backlash, but not before it was reshared on other platforms online. </p> <p>In the video, the woman stood atop one of the 15th-century Inca citadel’s terraces as she scattered the ashes. The footage ended with her taking a bow and embracing another person. </p> <p>Her actions have been slammed online, with one person saying: “may the full weight of the law fall on the person who did this act, there was no respect for Machu Picchu." </p> <p>“What is the need to do it in a universal jewel, such as Machu Picchu?” another commented. </p> <p>The sacred landmark,  has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage landmark in Peru, and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. </p> <p>Peruvian cultural officials have also criticised the behaviour and called for greater action in preserving the history of the landmark. </p> <p>T’ika Oregón, a lawyer with the Cusco Commission of Jurists, told local media that “archaeological areas are not repositories of any type of ashes, much less of a deceased person,” reported the <em>Daily Mail</em>. </p> <p>She also claimed that the ceremony could've been a promotional stunt orchestrated by the tour operator. </p> <p>“It must be determined if it is an agency that is dedicating itself to this objective or if it is a person, and according to the level of participation, of seriousness, the maximum penalty will have to be given,” she said.</p> <p>The Ministry of Culture is currently trying to identify the woman and tour agency responsible for the desecration. </p> <p>“Machu Picchu deserves respect and protection from visitors and tourism operators, who are obliged to comply with the provisions contained in the regulations for visiting the Inca city of Machu Picchu,”  they said in a statement. </p> <p><em>Image: TikTok</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Tourists reveal the worst cities for pedestrians

<p dir="ltr">For many keen travellers, walking is the best way to explore a new city and take in everything a new destination has to offer. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, not every corner of the world is easily accessible by foot, with some cities prioritising cars and bikes over the humble pedestrian. </p> <p dir="ltr">Tourists on social media site Reddit have revealed the least pedestrian friendly cities they have encountered on their travels abroad, with one person asking in a travel forum: “In what city/country did you have the ‘worst experience’ as a pedestrian?”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Cairo, Egypt</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The largest city and capital of Egypt has left some pedestrians feeling distressed, with one person describing the city as “hell on foot”. </p> <p dir="ltr">One person wrote of the historic city, “Drivers often drive on the opposite side of the road and most don't seem to follow any rules. Plus we got hassled so much by people trying to make money off us when walking around the city. They would follow us and wouldn't leave us alone.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another traveller added, “In Cairo, I spent so much money on taxis, the lack of sidewalks, being constantly harassed to buy stuff, the heat, the trash, the smell.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Hanoi, Vietnam</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The capital city of Vietnam is home to 9 million people and 7 million motorbikes and scooters, making crossing the road a logistical nightmare for many, as lots of travellers pointed out. </p> <p dir="ltr">One person wrote, “Hanoi is by far the worst walking experience I ever could have imagined. Any sidewalks are literally covered with motorbikes or pop-up restaurant seating that they hide when the police come by since it's not allowed. You can't go a single block without having to walk into the extremely busy streets.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“To be fair, it does add to the experience and I would like to note it's a good city and great country, but I'm convinced there is no worse walking experience in a city.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Amsterdam, The Netherlands</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">While there are many walkable streets in Amsterdam in an attempt to cut down on streets overrun with cars, the city makes up for this traffic with a surplus of bicycles.</p> <p dir="ltr">One traveller wrote, “Amsterdam was stressful to me as a pedestrian. The bikes will run you down.  We stayed a little outside of the city centre so that probably exacerbated things as our daily walk to see the sights often shared the paths with cyclists on the faster parts of their commutes.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another person said, “I'm from Southeast Asia and Amsterdam made me very anxious as a pedestrian.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>The Philippines</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The entire country of The Philippines was a sore spot with many keen travellers, as lots of tourists had issues crossing the busy roads. </p> <p dir="ltr">One person wrote, “Manila was my knee-jerk response. The Philippines is gorgeous and the people are so incredibly friendly, but trying to cross those massive roads (that have no crosswalks) is literally taking your life in your hands to play frogger.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another agreed, saying “Crossing traffic in the [Philippines] should be a sport. Could've died so many times out there.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another traveller wrote, “I once had to take a taxi just to cross the road because there was no way for pedestrians to do it.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Bali, Indonesia</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Despite being a popular tourist destination for many, many claimed the Indonesian paradise does not cater to pedestrians. </p> <p dir="ltr">One person wrote, “Bali is barely walkable at all in touristy areas - no sidewalks or at 90 percent of places. And so much traffic.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another agreed, writing, “Bali gets my vote too. In Ubud, I was constantly like, ‘Where's the footpath?’ Every building and shop seems to have its own makeshift strip of narrow disjointed tile, concrete or dirt, but most of the time, it's easier to walk on the road.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Trouble

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Tourists reveal the world’s best “non-mainstream” cities

<p dir="ltr">While many eager travellers head to a nation’s capital city when travelling abroad, others prefer to steer off the beaten track for a more authentic experience. </p> <p dir="ltr">A group of keen tourists discussed their favourite “non-mainstream” cities in a popular travel thread on Reddit, with eight destinations around the world coming out on top. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Turin, Italy</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Most travellers that head to Italy tend to stick to the main tourist-driven cities of Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, according to one traveller, the city of Turin (also known as Torino) is “one of the best cities in the country and it gets ignored by most tourists.”</p> <p dir="ltr">One person wrote, “Great architecture, very walkable, fantastic museums, delicious regional dishes and stunning Alpine backdrop.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another agreed, adding, “Torino is really great. [It] feels different to any other Italian city. [It's] also totally uncrowded even during peak season.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Oulu, Finland</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Aside from the Finnish capital of Helsinki in the far south of the country, some travellers prefer to venture up north into colder climates away from the bustling city. </p> <p dir="ltr">One hotspot is the city of Oulu, which offers a more relaxed pace of life despite its harsh weather. </p> <p dir="ltr">One traveller wrote, “I really enjoyed Oulu in Finland. So much space between buildings, green trees everywhere, a nice beach to relax on and watch the sunset, [and] beautiful parks.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“To me, it looked like the ideal city to live in. I was there in July. I think winters can be harsh.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Ouray, Colorado, USA</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Situated in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado, Ouray is often referred to as the 'Switzerland of America', with many travellers in awe of its beauty. </p> <p dir="ltr">One person simply wrote, “Ouray is stunningly beautiful!” sharing their love for the quaint city. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Nuremberg, Germany</strong> </p> <p dir="ltr">Germany’s most visited cities are usually Berlin and Munich, but Nuremberg also offers a unique glimpse into Germany’s history and culture. </p> <p dir="ltr">One traveller described the city as “amazing” while another said they “absolutely loved the place”. </p> <p dir="ltr">Another claimed that Nuremberg was “so beautiful, magical and fun” during wintertime that it “ruined Christmas for the rest of my life”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Townsville, Australia</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">When you think of coastal Aussie getaways, many think of Noosa or the Gold Coast as the best places to visit. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, others encouraged travellers to head to the “super-underrated” Townsville in northeastern Queensland instead.</p> <p dir="ltr">One traveller remarked that it has “great bars and restaurants”, adding, “It was a good base to get around the place. I found the locals friendly, [it] wasn't overrun with tourists like Cairns. My wife and I both thought it was a super-underrated place and we'll be back.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Khiva, Uzbekistan </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The city of Khiva, locally pronounced 'Heevah', is more than 2,500 years old and is a keen holiday destination for history buffs. </p> <p dir="ltr">One traveller wrote of the charming city, “The old city inside the walls is so well preserved that it's like entering another time. Early morning and after dark, when the tourist market has closed, and the buses have left, makes for a magical experience. I've been to a lot of places in the world but will never forget the magic of that place.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Salta, Argentina</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Located in the north of the country, Salta is “definitely not on the mainstream path”, but worth the journey.</p> <p dir="ltr">One tourist wrote, “The city itself isn't the most exciting but it's safe, the food is incredible, and it's the gateway to some of the most beautiful natural areas I've seen in my life.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Kastoria, Greece</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Located in northern Greece in the region of Western Macedonia, Kastoria sits on the shore of Lake Orestiada and is surrounded by limestone mountains. </p> <p dir="ltr">One traveller fell in love with the Greek destination, writing, “This is the definition of a hidden gem. It's deep in northern Greece and on a peninsula jutting into the middle of a lake, so it's just this incredibly serene and picturesque setting. There's history on every street corner, too.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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It’s tax time and scammers are targeting your myGov account. Here’s how to stay safe

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/cassandra-cross-122865">Cassandra Cross</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a></em></p> <p>For many, tax time is an exciting part of the year – there’s the potential for a refund. However, it’s also an attractive time for fraudsters looking for ways to get money and deceive unsuspecting victims.</p> <p>Each year Australians lose large amounts of money to scams. In 2023, Australians reported <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/scam-losses-decline-but-more-work-to-do-as-australians-lose-27-billion">losses of more than A$2.7 billion</a>. While this is a slight reduction from the $3.1 billion in 2022, there are still millions of victims who’ve suffered at the hands of scammers.</p> <p>Impersonation scams are one common approach. Scamwatch reports that in 2023, <a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/news-alerts/shopping-for-online-bargains-this-black-friday-weekend-make-sure-its-the-real-deal">70% of reports to them</a> involved impersonation.</p> <p>A large number of these were linked to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and myGov.</p> <h2>What is an impersonation scam?</h2> <p>Impersonation scams are what they sound like: when an offender pretends to be someone or something they are not. Offenders may pretend to be family members or friends in our contact lists.</p> <p>In many cases, they will say they’re from an organisation such as a bank or a well-known retailer, or a government department – like the ATO.</p> <p>Offenders take on the identity of a known and trusted organisation to increase the chances of success. While we may ignore communications from unknown entities and strangers, we’re more likely to engage with what’s familiar.</p> <p>Additionally, the ATO has a powerful status as a government agency, and we are unlikely to ignore its messages – especially at tax time.</p> <h2>What are they trying to get out of my myGov account?</h2> <p>myGov is the gateway to a range of government services, including Medicare, Centrelink, My Health Record, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and of course, the ATO.</p> <p>Being able to log in to myGov gives offenders access to a wide range of your personal details. This can help them build a fuller profile of you to potentially commit identity theft (such as opening new accounts in your name).</p> <p>There’s also the potential for direct fraud. With access to myGov, offenders can change your bank account details and redirect any refunds into their accounts, whether from the ATO or other linked services.</p> <p>They can even submit false tax returns, medical claims or other forms to obtain fraudulent funds. As the legitimate owner of the account, you may not immediately notice this.</p> <h2>What does a myGov scam look like?</h2> <p>In most instances, a myGov scam will look like one of the many phishing attempts we all receive on a daily basis. While each approach can be worded differently, their desired outcome is the same: to acquire your personal information.</p> <p>Fraudsters are sending text messages and emails pretending to be from the ATO, advising you there’s a refund available if you click the provided link.</p> <p>Another approach is to flag a “problem” with your tax return or bank account, and direct you to take immediate action via a link. Creating a sense of urgency can trick users into acting in the moment, without thinking through the request.</p> <p>The text or email may also be very neutral, simply stating there’s a new message waiting – with a link to where you can read it.</p> <p>Regardless of what the message says, the goal is to direct you to a website that looks genuine, but is fake. If you enter your myGov details into such a fake site, the offender can capture your login details and use them to log into your actual myGov account.</p> <h2>What to do if you’ve been a victim?</h2> <p>If you have clicked on a scam link and provided your personal details, there are steps you can take.</p> <p><strong>Change your password</strong> and review your account settings if you still have access to your myGov account.</p> <p><strong>Check your bank accounts</strong>, to see what, if anything, has been lost. Contact your bank or financial institution immediately if you notice any withdrawals or suspicious transactions.</p> <p><strong>Contact any other organisation</strong> linked to your myGov account to see if any unauthorised actions have been taken.</p> <p>For anyone who has lost personal information and experienced identity crime, <a href="https://www.idcare.org/">IDCARE is the national support centre</a> for identity crime victims. They will be able to assist with a personalised response plan to your specific situation.</p> <h2>How do I keep my account safe?</h2> <p><strong>Never click on links</strong> in text messages or emails that direct you to log in to your accounts. Always access your accounts independently, through details you have found independently of any text or email.</p> <p><strong>Review your security settings.</strong> There have been recent reports of people’s myGov accounts being targeted <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/01/ato-mygov-tax-return-refund-scam">with repeated login attempts</a>. Using your unique eight-digit myGov username for logging in can be safer than <a href="https://my.gov.au/en/about/help/mygov-website/help-using-your-account/manage-sign-in-details#updatingyourusername">using your email address</a>.</p> <p><strong>Enable <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-multi-factor-authentication-and-how-should-i-be-using-it-191591">multi-factor authentication</a></strong> where possible. myGov uses two-factor authentication in the form of a text message in addition to an online login. While this is not foolproof, it offers an additional layer of protection and can stop offenders accessing your account with only partial pieces of your information.</p> <p><strong>Be vigilant on all communications.</strong> Always keep in mind that all may not be what it seems and the person you are communicating with may not be who they say they are. It is okay to be sceptical and do your own checks to verify details of what is presented to you.</p> <p>Remember, fraudsters thrive on the silence and shame of those who respond or fall victim to their scams. We need to communicate openly about these schemes and talk to family and friends, to increase everyone’s knowledge and awareness.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/235785/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/cassandra-cross-122865"><em>Cassandra Cross</em></a><em>, Associate Dean (Learning &amp; Teaching) Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/its-tax-time-and-scammers-are-targeting-your-mygov-account-heres-how-to-stay-safe-235785">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

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7 health investments that are tax deductible

<p>When someone says “investment”, we tend to think of money and wealth creation: property, shares, superannuation, savings accounts and so on.</p> <p>However, an investment is the contribution of something you value towards the anticipation of growing that value. That contribution could be money or it could be in the form of time, skills, knowledge, or labour. Similarly, the anticipated growth in value could be in monetary terms or towards growth in business, education, research, or even health – both your own and others’.</p> <p>Just like money matters and tax affairs require a wholistic view, so too does health. Which is why when it comes to getting the most out of health investments, it’s crucial to consider physical, mental and financial health. Many, such as those listed below, happen to be tax deductible too:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Safety equipment and education</strong></li> </ol> <p>Workplace safety is perhaps the most crucial of all health investments. What form that takes can differ enormously between professions. Yet if it is important for doing your job safely, then generally it will be tax deductible.</p> <p>This may be protective clothing for tradespeople, medical workers, and industrial machinists, or advanced driving/road safety training courses for taxi drivers and couriers.</p> <p>Sun protection for jobs that take place largely or exclusively outdoors is also generally deductible – but use those sunglasses or sunscreen at home as well, and you’ll only be able to claim the work-related portion of the cost. </p> <ol start="2"> <li><strong>Insurances</strong></li> </ol> <p>Certain insurance premiums are typically tax deductible.</p> <p>Professional indemnity insurance is a legitimate (and often essential) business expense in many jobs, such as for doctors and journalists. Income protection insurance against severe illness or injury may also be deductible.</p> <p>Plus, having private health insurance also delivers a tax benefit when lodging your tax return.</p> <ol start="3"> <li><strong>Professional coaching</strong></li> </ol> <p>Professional coaching can be useful for mental health and clarity, both over existing work situations and career progression or transition planning.</p> <p>Provided this coaching is strictly professional and relates to your ability to earn an income, it may be tax deductible.</p> <ol start="4"> <li><strong>Accounting and financial advice </strong></li> </ol> <p>Good financial health goes hand in hand with good advice about money matters.</p> <p>Most Aussies know that the cost of managing their tax affairs is deductible. Less well known, though, is that financial advice expenses are also generally deductible. </p> <p>Busy accountants can forget to ask if you incurred these costs when going through your expenses at tax time, so be sure to flag it with them.</p> <ol start="5"> <li><strong>Industry-specific deductions</strong></li> </ol> <p>In some instances, health-related expenses may be tax deductible because they are required within a particular job. </p> <p>For instance, models, athletes and fitness instructors may be able to claim gym memberships and nutritionist visits; dieticians and chefs may be able to claim healthy eating books and subscriptions.</p> <p>Check the <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/income-deductions-offsets-and-records/deductions-you-can-claim/occupation-and-industry-specific-guides">ATO’s Occupation and industry-specific guides</a> to see relevant deductions in your line of work.</p> <ol start="6"> <li><strong>Medical checks</strong></li> </ol> <p>If you require compulsory medical assessments and check-ups as part of your job, these may be tax deductible. Examples include health screenings for pilots, miners, and emergency workers. </p> <p>COVID-19 tests to determine whether you can attend your workplace may also be deductible.</p> <p>Vaccinations, however, are deemed by the ATO to be private expenses.</p> <ol start="7"> <li><strong>Donations</strong></li> </ol> <p>Many health organisations are registered charities and not-for-profits, making donations to them deductible. Often, people donate to health charities because of personal experience, either as a patient/survivor themselves or having known someone who was.</p> <p>So not only are you investing in critical research and future patient support as a means of giving back, but you can also claim a tax deduction as a reward for donations over $2. </p> <p><strong>Proof of purchase is key</strong></p> <p>For any expense to be tax deductible, it must be necessary for work purposes and have come out of your own pocket, not been paid for or reimbursed by your employer.</p> <p>Don’t forget to claim depreciation of work-related equipment over subsequent years. These are extra dollars in your pocket to offset the cost of their eventual replacement.</p> <p>And be sure to keep copies of receipts for your purchases to prove your expenses – both now and in the future.</p> <p><em><strong>Helen Baker is a licensed Australian financial adviser and author of On Your Own Two Feet: The Essential Guide to Financial Independence for all Women. Helen is among the 1% of financial planners who hold a master’s degree in the field. Proceeds from book sales are donated to charities supporting disadvantaged women and children. Find out more at <a href="http://www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au/">www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au</a></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Disclaimer: The information in this article is of a general nature only and does not constitute personal financial or product advice. Any opinions or views expressed are those of the authors and do not represent those of people, institutions or organisations the owner may be associated with in a professional or personal capacity unless explicitly stated. Helen Baker is an authorised representative of BPW Partners Pty Ltd AFSL 548754.</strong></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

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