The Aevum Accounting Podcast

Aevum Accounting

Navigate the complexities of Australian tax with clarity and confidence. Hosted by AI voices and brought to you by Ben De Rosa, the director of Aevum Accounting Pty Ltd, this podcast cuts through the jargon to deliver expert insights on individual tax returns, business taxation, compliance, and strategic tax planning. Whether you're an individual looking to maximise your refund and understand your obligations, or a business owner aiming for optimal tax structuring and compliance, we provide reliable guidance. Tune in for practical strategies, up-to-date information, and the peace of mind.

  1. FEB 17

    Debt Recycling: The Ultimate Guide to Turning Your Mortgage into a Tax Deduction

    Is your home loan interest just "dead money"? What if you could legally turn that non-deductible debt into a massive tax refund every year? In this episode, Mia and Leo break down Debt Recycling—the strategy that property investors and share traders use to pay off their family home in record time while building a wealth portfolio. We explain the specific "Pay, Redraw, Invest" cycle that converts "Bad Debt" (your mortgage) into "Good Debt" (tax-deductible investment loans) without increasing your total debt level. In this episode, we cover: The Golden Rule: The critical difference between "Borrowing to Invest" (risky) and "Debt Recycling" (efficient). The "Offset" Trap: Why transferring money from your Offset Account to buy shares will get you zero tax deduction (and how to fix it). The "Mixed Purpose" Nightmare: How "Lazy Larry" ruined his tax return by mixing private and investment debt in the same loan split. The Timeline: A realistic look at the "Get Rich Slow" journey—from a $500 deduction in Year 1 to a debt-free home in Year 10. The Dream Team: Why you need a Mortgage Broker, a Financial Planner, and a Tax Accountant working together to make this work. Important Disclaimer: Aevum Accounting provides Tax Advice on the structure of your loans. We do not provide Financial Advice on investment selection. Always consult a licensed Financial Planner before leveraging your home. Connect with Aevum Accounting:Ready to set up your "Loan Splits" correctly? Visit aevumaccounting.com.au to book a strategy session with Ben and the team.

    10 min
  2. FEB 10

    FBT Power Plays: The Boss Level Guide to Salary Packaging

    "We’ve scared you with the audits. We’ve bored you with the math. Now, it’s time for the payoff." In the Grand Finale of our FBT Series, Mia and Leo flip the script. We stop talking about what you can’t claim and start talking about the tax-free perks you absolutely should be giving your staff (and yourself). With Harvey Green back for one last lap, we unlock the "Power Plays"—the specific exemptions in the tax act that let you legally pay $0 FBT while looking like the most generous boss in town. In this episode, we reveal: The Tech Loophole: How small business owners can provide a laptop, an iPad, and a phone to the same employee in the same year—completely tax-free. The EV Gold Rush: Why salary packaging an Electric Vehicle is the single biggest tax break available to employees right now (driving a Tesla for $200/week?). Hamper vs. Dinner: The simple "Non-Entertainment" rule that makes a gift basket 100% tax-deductible, while a team dinner gets hit with penalties. The "Hero" Caps: The massive salary packaging limits available to Nurses, Doctors, and Charity Workers that most people are too afraid to use. Relocation Wins: How to pay for a new hire’s move to WA (flights, removalist, rent) without paying a cent in tax. Stop dreading FBT and start using it to build wealth. This is the "Good News" episode you’ve been waiting for. Connect with Aevum Accounting:Want to set up an EV lease or check your salary packaging eligibility? Visit aevumaccounting.com.au to book a strategy session with Ben and the team. Series Recap: Ep 28: The Hard Truths (What NOT to claim). Ep 29: The Deep Dive (The Math & Logbooks). Ep 30: The Power Plays (The Tax-Free Wins).

    9 min
  3. FEB 5

    The FBT Deep Dive: The Math Behind the Madness

    You know what you can't claim (thanks to last week’s episode), but do you know why a $10,000 school fee actually costs your business $18,000? In Part 2 of our FBT Series, Mia and Leo pop the hood on the mechanics of the Fringe Benefits Tax. We move beyond the "Naughty List" and dive into the specific calculations that determine your final tax bill. With the help of our resident tax strategist Harvey Green, we explain why the "Laziness Tax" is costing you thousands and how a simple 12-week logbook can slash your liability. In this episode, we crunch the numbers on: The Gross-Up Nightmare: We decode the difference between Type 1 (2.08) and Type 2 (1.88) rates so you finally understand why FBT is so expensive. Statutory vs. Logbook: The detailed math on how switching methods can drop a car tax bill from $7,000 down to $1,900. The "Phantom Income" Trap: How a company car can secretly push you over the threshold for HECS repayments, Child Support, and the Medicare Levy Surcharge. Employee Contributions: The clever strategy of paying a little bit towards your car to save a lot in tax. Stop fearing the math and start using it to your advantage. This is the episode that turns "compliance" into "strategy." Connect with Aevum Accounting:Ready to model your FBT liability before the end of the FBT year? Visit aevumaccounting.com.au to book a strategy session with Ben and the team. Coming Up: Don't miss the finale next week—Episode 30: Power Plays, where we reveal the tax-free perks you actually want.

    10 min
  4. JAN 29

    The Hard Truth: What You Can (And Definitely Can't) Put Through the Business

    "My mate at the pub said I can claim my kid's school fees..." STOP right there. The three most dangerous words in business are "Everyone does it." In this episode, Mia and Leo are joined by our resident tax strategist, Harvey Green, to draw a hard line in the sand. We are done with "grey areas"—it's time for the hard truth about what expenses will trigger an ATO audit. We play a brutal round of "Can I Claim It?" to debunk the most common myths in small business. In this episode, we cover: The School Fees Trap: Why paying tuition through the company could cost you double (yes, really). The Ute Rule: How adding a bull bar or taking one weekend camping trip to Margaret River can turn your tax-exempt workhorse into a full FBT liability. Gym & Golf: Why being "fit for work" or "networking on the green" isn't the deduction you think it is. The $300 Christmas Party Cliff: The specific math on why a $305 meal is a tax nightmare, but a $295 meal is a win. The "Checking Emails in Bed" Myth: Why claiming your mortgage interest might accidentally trigger a massive Capital Gains Tax bill on your family home. This is Part 1 of our FBT Series. Stop guessing, stop listening to "pub advice," and find out exactly where you stand. Connect with Aevum Accounting: Need to check your "Nexus"? Visit aevumaccounting.com.au to book a consultation with Ben and the team. Shoutout: Big thanks to Nick Rosson for the 5-star review this week!

    15 min
  5. JAN 22

    From Flat Whites to Fat Refunds: The Cafe & Restaurant Owner's Tax Survival Guide

    Ever wondered if the "free" coffee you drink or the family dinner in your own restaurant is actually a tax headache? In this episode, Mia and Leo step into the high-pressure kitchen of the hospitality industry. Whether you’re running a boutique espresso bar, a fast-paced takeaway, or a licensed restaurant, the margins are tight—which makes understanding your deductions more important than ever. Under the guidance of Ben De Rosa from Aevum Accounting, we break down the specific rules that help hospitality legends keep their finances as fresh as their produce. In this episode, we serve up: The "Eat Your Profits" Rule: A deep dive into ATO TD 2023/7—the secret shortcut for valuing the goods you take from stock for private use. Repairs vs. Improvements: How to tell if fixing that broken commercial fridge is an immediate win or a long-term depreciation play. The Tech-Stack Menu: Why a "shoebox" of receipts is a fire hazard and how integrating your POS with your accounting software changes the game. Staff Meals & FBT: What you can (and can’t) feed your team without triggering a "nasty surprise" from the tax office. Alfresco & Equipment: Claiming the "tools of the trade," from laser-cut umbrellas to the high-end espresso machines. Stop guessing at your margins and start mastering your cash flow. Tune in to ensure your business remains compliant, efficient, and poised for growth. Connect with Aevum Accounting:Visit our website at aevumaccounting.com.au to learn more about our hospitality tax specialists or to connect with Ben and the team.

    10 min
  6. JAN 15

    Selling the Dream, Claiming the Reality: The Ultimate Tax Guide for Real Estate Pros

    "If I wear this designer suit only for auctions, it’s a deduction, right?" Not quite. In this episode, Mia and Leo dive into the high-stakes, high-energy world of real estate. Whether you’re a property manager, a sales agent, or a principal, the line between "lifestyle" and "business" can get blurry—and that’s exactly where the ATO starts looking. Under the guidance of Ben De Rosa from Aevum Accounting, we unpack the ATO’s Tax Time Toolkit to help you keep more of your hard-earned commission and stay audit-proof. What we cover in this episode: The Car Logbook vs. Cents-per-KM: Why your commute to the office is "dead money," but your trip to an appraisal is a tax win. The "Suit" Truth: Why the ATO says "No" to your Italian wool blazer (and what you can actually claim for your wardrobe). The Commission Trap: The specific rule that determines if you can claim those settlement gifts and letterbox drops. Tech & Tools: How to correctly depreciate your cameras, drones, and iPads without triggering an audit. The "Naughty List": Why grooming, fines, and home office snacks will never make the cut. Stop relying on "lunchroom lawyer" advice and get the facts. Tune in to ensure your financial foundation is as solid as the properties you sell. Connect with Aevum Accounting:Visit our website at aevumaccounting.com.au to download our occupation-specific tax guides or to book a consultation with Ben and the team.

    9 min

About

Navigate the complexities of Australian tax with clarity and confidence. Hosted by AI voices and brought to you by Ben De Rosa, the director of Aevum Accounting Pty Ltd, this podcast cuts through the jargon to deliver expert insights on individual tax returns, business taxation, compliance, and strategic tax planning. Whether you're an individual looking to maximise your refund and understand your obligations, or a business owner aiming for optimal tax structuring and compliance, we provide reliable guidance. Tune in for practical strategies, up-to-date information, and the peace of mind.