Year-end tax planning isn't about dodgy schemes, it's about smart, legal decisions before 30 June to optimise your position. The difference between planning ahead and scrambling at the last minute can easily be tens of thousands of dollars.
Start planning early
The best planning happens throughout the year. If you haven't started, finalise your strategy by mid-May so you have time to implement before 30 June. Last-minute planning severely limits your options.
Key year-end tax strategies
1. Accelerate deductible expenses
Bringing forward planned expenses into the current year increases deductions and reduces your immediate tax bill.
- Pre-pay 12 months of deductible expenses (rent, insurance, subscriptions)
- Purchase equipment and supplies before 30 June
- Conduct planned repairs and maintenance now
- Pay professional fees before year-end
- Clear aged inventory with discounted sales
2. Maximise instant asset write-off
Immediately deduct eligible assets under the threshold rather than depreciating over several years.
- Computers, laptops and IT equipment
- Office furniture and fittings
- Tools and specialised equipment
- Vehicles (if eligible and under threshold)
3. Review and write off bad debts
Genuinely unrecoverable invoices can be written off as bad debts for a deduction, provided you can show reasonable attempts to collect.
4. Make super contributions
Voluntary super contributions are tax-deductible and reduce taxable income, one of the most effective strategies, within caps.
- Concessional cap: $30,000 per year
- Contributions must reach the fund before 30 June
- File a notice of intent to claim the deduction
- Consider catch-up contributions if available
5. Defer income where possible
In a profitable year, deferring some income to the next year reduces this year's bill, best where you control invoicing timing.
- Delay invoicing for work completed in late June
- Defer bonus or dividend payments
- Time project completions to fall in July
Caps and thresholds change, this is general information, not tax advice. Talk to us about your situation.