ADF Members: Don’t Lodge Your 2026 Tax Return UNTIL You’ve Watched This Video

Video Transcript

Tactical Tax 2026

Robbie: Most ADF members are going to leave thousands of dollars on the table this year because they don’t fully understand tax.

It isn’t that they are incapable. They simply haven’t been educated, coached or guided through the potential pitfalls and the legitimate opportunities available to them, particularly when they own an investment property.

My name is Robbie Turner. Welcome to Tactical Tax 2026.

I’m joined by the man, the myth and the legend, Jace Cosgrove from Your Wealth Corporation.

Mate, you and I have been producing these tax-time specials for nearly 10 years.

It is critical that we get together and tell property investors to make sure they have everything squared away when it comes to tax.

Jace: We’ve certainly done a few of these.

When I think about the changes that have occurred over those years, the biggest issue is often what people don’t know.

Tax settings change, and if you aren’t aware of the changes, you may not take advantage of the opportunities available to you.

It is great to be back.

Robbie: We’re recording this as we approach the end of the financial year.

Some proposed budget measures are still making their way through Parliament, so there may be more information to follow.

However, there are several fundamental principles that every investment-property owner should understand.

We’re going to discuss tax timelines, deductions and depreciation.

We’ll answer questions such as:

“I claimed a $1,000 expense. Why didn’t I receive $1,000 back?”

Jace: I’m a fan of numbers, so I enjoy seeing how these strategies affect individual circumstances.

Robbie: You are definitely a fan of numbers.

We’ll also discuss offset-account strategies, managing cash flow and PAYG withholding variations.

Many people have never heard of a PAYG withholding variation.

Even some people who have previously learned about it later say, “We’re struggling with cash flow. What was that variation again?”

The answer is to speak with Jace and determine whether it is appropriate.

Jace: I’m looking forward to discussing these strategies.

People often don’t know what is available to them. Once they learn about it, they realise how useful it could be.

Robbie: We’ll also cover what ADF members may legally claim through their individual tax returns.

For most people, a standard gym membership is not automatically deductible.

We’ll explain why the date an investment property becomes available for rent is critically important.

Jace is also a licensed financial adviser, so we’ll discuss MSBS, ADF Super and longer-term planning for members preparing to transition out of Defence.

We have hundreds of case studies and years of real conversations to draw from.

The aim is to help people avoid mistakes and make informed use of the opportunities available to them.

How an Investment Property Can Affect Your Tax

Robbie: Let’s begin with how an investment property may reduce taxable income.

Clients inside our long-term coaching program may already have seen this example.

This discussion relates to investment properties. It does not automatically apply in the same way to the home you live in.

Imagine you are serving in the Army, Navy or Air Force and earning $100,000 a year.

Tax is withheld from that income throughout the year.

You also own a $700,000 investment property receiving approximately $580 per week in rent.

That gives you around another $30,000 in gross income.

Rental income is taxable, just like income from dividends, shares and other sources.

However, an income-producing property also generates deductible expenses.

These can be divided into cash deductions and non-cash deductions.

Cash deductions may include:

• Interest on the investment loan
• Council rates
• Property-management fees
• Insurance
• Eligible maintenance and repairs

With a cash deduction, money has actually left your bank account.

You may spend one dollar and receive a tax benefit equal to your applicable marginal tax rate. You don’t receive the entire dollar back.

The main non-cash deduction is depreciation.

A quantity surveyor prepares a depreciation schedule for the property.

Depending on the property, the first full financial year may produce a depreciation deduction of approximately $17,000, $18,000 or $19,000.

The important point is that you don’t need to spend that amount from your bank account during the year to claim the eligible deduction.

In the example on the screen, the ADF member earns $100,000 in salary and around $30,000 in rent.

After eligible cash and non-cash deductions are applied, the member’s taxable income may be significantly reduced.

In the scenario presented, the resulting refund could be around $13,000 or $14,000.

The exact outcome will always depend on the individual’s circumstances.

A new investment property can effectively provide two income streams:

• Rental income
• The cash-flow benefit created through legitimate tax deductions

A new property may also offer stronger depreciation deductions than an established property.

That can help the investor hold the property for a longer period.

Time is your friend in property.

You can purchase an excellent property in an excellent location, use an excellent builder and secure excellent tenants.

However, if you cannot afford to hold the property long enough to benefit from it, the strategy has failed.

Tax Deadlines and the Value of an Accountant

Robbie: Anyone who has worked as a corporal or above understands the importance of deadlines.

You don’t miss them.

The same mindset should apply to tax.

Acting too early, too late or without understanding the applicable dates may cost you.

Jace, what should people understand about tax timelines?

Jace: One of the first considerations is whether to use an accountant.

Our team looks after hundreds of Axon clients each year.

Because we see so many similar circumstances, we understand what an ADF property investor’s tax return commonly contains.

That helps us recognise when something appears to be missing.

When you complete your own tax return, you don’t know what you don’t know.

An accountant understands what to look for because that is their profession.

Let the expert do what the expert does.

An individual lodging their own tax return generally has until 31 October.

That means once 30 June passes, they have July, August, September and October to prepare and lodge the return.

If they miss the deadline, the ATO may begin asking questions.

When a return is lodged through a registered tax agent, the applicable deadline may extend to 15 May of the following year, subject to the taxpayer’s eligibility and lodgement history.

Those dates can be used strategically.

Receiving a Refund Early

Jace: If you expect a refund, you usually want the money in your account as soon as reasonably possible.

Once the financial year ends, gather the required information.

That may include:

• The annual statement from your property manager
• Loan-interest statements
• Rates and insurance records
• Eligible invoices and receipts
• Your depreciation schedule

Give that information to your accountant so the return can be prepared.

Imagine the expected refund is $15,000.

Receiving that money in July or August and placing it into an offset account may reduce interest.

Repeating that process each year may also reduce the time required to repay the loan.

I often say that ordinary actions performed consistently can produce extraordinary results.

A relatively small additional amount placed against a loan each year can have a significant cumulative effect.

Delaying a Tax Payment Strategically

Jace: Now consider the opposite situation.

You may have sold a property and expect to owe capital gains tax.

If your registered tax agent can legally lodge the return by 15 May of the following year, delaying the payment may allow the money to remain in your offset account or another appropriate investment for longer.

We can still prepare the return early and give the client clarity about the amount expected to be payable.

For example, a property may have increased significantly in value and created an $87,000 tax obligation.

That is still a positive result because the owner made a substantial gain.

If the return is lodged closer to the permitted deadline, the $87,000 may continue working for the client for several additional months before it is paid to the ATO.

We recently spoke with one of your clients who had sold a property and expected to owe approximately $75,000 in tax.

We discussed when the tax would become payable and whether strategies involving superannuation contributions might be appropriate.

These are real client circumstances, not hypothetical numbers.

Working with an accountant and financial adviser gives the client access to professional knowledge that can be applied to their specific position.

Robbie: Your firm has looked after my personal tax, superannuation, residential and commercial properties, self-managed super fund interests and Axon’s financial affairs.

Our professional relationship has existed for a long time.

Axon is approaching its 10-year anniversary, and Jace has supported us from the beginning.

When an ADF member has a straightforward tax return and no investment property, they may decide to complete it themselves.

They might claim eligible equipment such as boots, a watch or field gear and receive a modest refund.

However, once an investment property creates a much larger and more complex tax position, the value of professional support can increase significantly.

When the desired outcome becomes 10 times larger, it makes sense to consider increasing the quality of the professional support around it.

How Tax Deductions Actually Work

Robbie: Let’s explain deductions because this is simple once somebody understands it.

A cash deduction involves money leaving your bank account.

How much of that expense actually comes back?

Jace: Tax is confusing for many people, but this principle becomes straightforward once it is explained.

Imagine you spend $1,000 on an expense that is fully deductible.

It might relate to your rental property or an eligible work-related expense.

Many people assume they will receive the full $1,000 back.

That is not how a deduction works.

Australia uses a marginal tax-rate system.

Different portions of your taxable income are taxed at different rates.

If part of your income falls within a 30 per cent tax bracket, a $1,000 deduction may reduce your tax by approximately $300.

If the relevant portion falls within a 45 per cent bracket, the reduction may be approximately $450.

The benefit depends on the taxpayer’s marginal rate and overall circumstances.

Robbie: It is also important to understand that earning income in the highest bracket does not mean 45 per cent is taken from every dollar you earn.

Only the portion above the relevant threshold is taxed at that higher rate.

Jace: Correct.

The rates apply progressively.

A taxpayer doesn’t pay the highest marginal rate across their entire income.

Marginal Tax Rates and the Medicare Levy

Robbie: Let’s work through the tax-rate table and also discuss the Medicare levy for ADF members.

Jace: The Medicare levy generally helps fund Australia’s Medicare system.

Full-time ADF members may be eligible for an exemption because their medical care is provided through Defence.

The situation becomes more complicated when the member has a non-serving spouse, children or particular pension arrangements.

Those circumstances need to be assessed individually.

For the tax rates discussed in the presentation:

• Income up to $18,200 is tax-free
• Income between $18,201 and $45,000 is taxed at the applicable rate for that bracket
• Income between $45,001 and $135,000 is taxed at the next marginal rate
• Income between $135,001 and $190,000 is taxed at a higher rate
• Income above $190,000 is taxed at the top marginal rate

There may also be offsets that reduce the tax payable by some lower-income earners.

The important principle is that each rate only applies to the income within that bracket.

For example, somebody earning within the $45,000 to $135,000 bracket does not pay 30 per cent on their entire income.

They pay the accumulated tax applying to the lower brackets, followed by the marginal rate on the amount above $45,000.

Robbie: A spouse earning around $45,000 while working part-time may pay considerably less than 30 per cent of their total income in tax.

Seeing the full table helps people understand the actual position rather than focusing only on the headline marginal rate.

Depreciation on a New Investment Property

Robbie: Let’s move into non-cash deductions.

One advantage of a new land-and-build investment is depreciation.

A quantity surveyor prepares a one-off depreciation schedule.

The report may cost several hundred dollars.

You give it to your accountant in the first year, and the accountant keeps it on file for future returns.

Jace, what is depreciation?

Jace: Depreciation recognises the decline in value of eligible parts of an income-producing asset.

An investment property generally contains two broad depreciation categories.

The first is the building structure.

The construction cost of an eligible building may be written off over 40 years at 2.5 per cent per year.

This relates to structural elements such as:

• Walls
• Floors
• Roof
• The main building structure

The second category includes eligible plant, equipment, fixtures and fittings.

Depending on the property and current legislation, that may include items such as:

• Floor coverings
• Curtains and blinds
• Appliances
• Rangehoods
• Solar systems
• Other eligible fittings

New properties may allow the investor to claim eligible depreciation on both the building and new fixtures and fittings.

Established properties can be treated differently, particularly where fixtures and fittings are considered second-hand.

That is one reason the depreciation claim on a new build can be substantial.

Real Depreciation Examples

Jace: I reviewed the latest five Axon clients referred to our firm.

Their first-year depreciation deductions were approximately:

• $13,500
• $13,800
• $18,000
• $16,000
• $15,000

These are non-cash deductions included within the client’s tax return.

They may significantly contribute to the property’s negative-gearing position.

I then checked what those clients could still claim five years later.

Each continued to receive more than $10,000 in annual non-cash depreciation deductions.

That surprised even me.

Robbie: If an investor is in a 30 per cent tax bracket, a $10,000 depreciation deduction alone could reduce their tax by around $3,000, even five years after the property was built.

That is before including eligible loan interest, property-management fees, rates and insurance.

Jace: Correct.

Depreciation can continue making a meaningful difference to the investor’s annual position.

As rents increase in a well-selected location, the additional income may also help offset rising ownership costs.

A significant non-cash deduction can increase the refund or reduce the tax payable.

When combined with a PAYG withholding variation, that benefit may assist the investor’s cash flow throughout the year.

The ATO is effectively returning tax that would otherwise have been withheld.

That money can help the investor retain the property.

Robbie: Again, it doesn’t matter how good the property is if you cannot afford to hold it.

PAYG Withholding Variations

Robbie: Let’s discuss PAYG withholding variations.

In a tight cash-flow environment, this can become more than a nice option. For some investors, it may be critical.

People often describe their tax refund as a bonus.

It isn’t a bonus.

It is their own money that has been withheld and is sitting with the ATO.

When I was younger and didn’t have an investment portfolio, I treated tax time like a bonus.

I would gather receipts for military equipment and arrive at my accountant’s office soon after the financial year ended, eager to receive the refund.

Owning an investment property requires a different mindset.

Jace, how can an investor access the anticipated tax benefit during the year rather than waiting until the return is lodged?

Jace: A PAYG withholding variation is an optional strategy.

Imagine your accountant forecasts that your investment property will contribute to a $10,000 refund at the end of the year.

The accountant can apply to the ATO and advise that the expected deductions will reduce the taxpayer’s annual liability.

If approved, the ATO may instruct the employer to withhold less tax from each pay.

Instead of waiting for a $10,000 refund after the financial year, the employee might receive approximately $200 more each week.

The actual amount depends on the forecast and pay frequency.

That extra money can be placed into an offset account or used to meet the investment property’s holding costs.

Some clients genuinely need the additional weekly cash flow.

They cannot wait until the following July.

Receiving the benefit progressively may help them hold a property that could become significantly more valuable over five or 10 years.

Why Many Investors Still Prefer a Lump-Sum Refund

Robbie: We explain PAYG withholding variations before many clients purchase.

They often say it sounds like a good strategy.

How many actually use it?

Jace: Not many.

There are two groups.

People who need the additional cash flow are more likely to implement it.

People who don’t need it often prefer receiving the refund as a lump sum because it acts as forced saving.

Many Australians struggle to save consistently.

They may think, “I can’t trust myself to preserve the extra money each week. I would rather receive $10,000 at once and put it straight into the bank.”

Robbie: My preference would often be to receive the money progressively and place it into an offset account.

That reduces interest and improves the property’s cash flow throughout the year.

However, the correct approach depends on the person’s behaviour and circumstances.

They should obtain formal advice from their accountant.

The Risk of an Inaccurate Variation

Jace: Anyone using a PAYG withholding variation must be careful.

Imagine we forecast a $12,000 refund, but the actual deductions only support a $9,000 refund.

When the tax return is lodged, the taxpayer may owe the $3,000 difference.

The forecast needs to be accurate.

The client must provide realistic estimates of:

• Loan interest
• Insurance
• Rates
• Property-management fees
• Rental income
• Other expected deductions and expenses

Robbie: In simple terms, don’t exaggerate the forecast.

If the numbers are artificially inflated, the client may receive a tax bill at the end of the year.

The ATO may also ask questions about future applications.

From my perspective, when the strategy is professionally assessed and appropriate, receiving the money progressively and placing it into an offset account can produce a strong result.

However, viewers should seek individual advice before implementing it.

When Investment-Property Deductions Begin

Robbie: The date your investment property becomes available for rent is the starting gun.

Knowing that date gives the owner an important reference point for cash-flow planning and tax administration.

Several years ago, two major changes affected property investors.

Investors can no longer generally claim personal travel expenses to visit a residential investment property.

Previously, somebody might have owned a property in Cairns, taken a holiday there and claimed the trip after visiting the property for a few hours.

That opportunity was removed.

The second change affected deductions during construction.

Previously, an investor intending to rent out a new build may have been able to claim certain holding expenses, including interest, during the construction period.

That treatment changed.

Jace, when do the deductions now begin?

Jace: The deductions generally begin when the completed property becomes available for rent.

That does not necessarily mean the day a tenant moves in.

It means the property has been completed and is genuinely available to the rental market.

For example:

• Handover has occurred
• The owner has the keys
• The property has been listed for rent
• The owner is actively seeking a tenant

From that date, eligible expenses such as interest, rates and insurance may begin being deductible.

Travel to inspect a residential investment property is generally not deductible for an individual investor because those rules were changed after people took advantage of them.

Why the Available-for-Rent Date Matters

Jace: The available-for-rent date also affects the depreciation schedule.

The quantity surveyor needs that date because it determines when the depreciation deductions begin.

If the property becomes available in the middle of June, the investor only has approximately two weeks of deductions in that financial year.

They should not expect the full annual depreciation amount.

The deduction is apportioned according to the part of the year in which the property was available.

The following financial year may then contain a full 12 months of eligible depreciation.

Robbie: That sequencing at the end of construction is extremely important.

The Build Support team, property manager, quantity surveyor and accountant all need accurate information.

Common ADF Work-Related Deductions

Robbie: Let’s move away from property and discuss what an ADF member may legally claim through an individual tax return.

The same questions regularly arise:

• Can I claim my gym membership?
• Can I claim driving to and from work?
• What parts of my uniform or clothing can I claim?

We have a red-and-green traffic-light system on the screen.

Jace, take us through it.

Jace: The broad principle is that an expense incurred in earning assessable income may be deductible.

However, private expenses remain private even when they help somebody prepare for work.

Gym Memberships and Fitness Expenses

Jace: A standard gym membership is generally not deductible merely because an ADF member must maintain the normal fitness standard required by their employment.

If the person performs a specialised role requiring a fitness level substantially above the general ADF standard, the treatment may be different.

That requires professional assessment based on the role and duties.

Robbie: I have a relevant story.

During Axon’s first week, I purchased protein powder and recorded it as a business expense.

Tamara asked what it was.

I told her I needed protein powder and creatine to operate at a high level.

She told me it was not deductible and removed it immediately.

I had previously claimed similar expenses while serving in Special Forces, so I assumed it would continue to apply.

It didn’t.

I repaid the $60 personally.

Tamara made it very clear that Axon was not getting into trouble with the ATO during its first week.

Jace: Protein powder is generally a private living expense.

People also need food, toothpaste and personal grooming products, but that doesn’t make those expenses deductible.

The line has to be drawn somewhere.

A specialised occupation with unusually demanding physical requirements may justify different treatment, but maintaining an ordinary expected standard generally does not.

Vehicle Travel

Jace: Driving between bases, travelling from a base to an operation or moving between work locations may qualify as work-related travel.

Driving from home to your normal workplace is generally a private commute and is not deductible.

If the member travels from home to an alternative work location or between multiple work sites, the treatment can depend on the circumstances.

That is why accurate records and professional advice matter.

Cents-Per-Kilometre and Logbook Methods

Jace: There are two common methods for claiming eligible vehicle expenses.

The first is the cents-per-kilometre method.

This allows the taxpayer to claim an applicable rate for up to 5,000 eligible work-related kilometres without maintaining a formal logbook.

They still need to be able to explain how the number of kilometres was calculated.

The second is the logbook method.

The taxpayer maintains a compliant logbook, generally for a representative 12-week period, to calculate the work-related percentage of the vehicle’s use.

If the logbook shows that 64 per cent of the vehicle’s use is work-related, the taxpayer may be able to claim 64 per cent of eligible expenses such as:

• Fuel
• Insurance
• Registration
• Repairs and servicing
• Interest
• Depreciation

The better method depends on the amount of eligible travel and the person’s vehicle expenses.

Robbie: I once maintained a logbook while working in property because I expected to travel frequently.

Eventually, I decided the additional administration wasn’t worth the relatively small extra deduction.

Other people may reach a different conclusion, particularly if they have a newer financed vehicle and a high work-use percentage.

Uniforms and Civilian Clothing

Jace: Eligible compulsory or occupation-specific uniforms may be deductible.

Ordinary civilian clothing generally is not, even when it is worn at work.

Normal shoes, shirts and trousers purchased from a retail store remain private expenses unless they meet the specific requirements for protective or occupation-specific clothing.

People often say, “But I wore it to work.”

That alone does not make it deductible.

Other Work-Related Expenses

Jace: Accountant fees and eligible donations may be deductible.

Education expenses depend on the connection with the person’s current employment.

Imagine a serving member completes a course to prepare for a completely different civilian career after Defence.

If the course is unrelated to their current duties and income, it may not be deductible.

If the education directly improves skills used in the current role or is likely to increase income within that existing career, it may qualify.

Again, the connection with current income-producing employment is critical.

Tax becomes more complex as people add investment properties, side businesses, multiple income streams and other financial interests.

That is usually the point where professional support becomes increasingly valuable.

ATO Focus Areas and Side-Hustle Income

Jace: The ATO receives far more information about taxpayers than many people realise.

It has compliance focus areas designed to identify income that may not have been declared or deductions that appear excessive.

Many people now operate side hustles.

When a side hustle begins resembling a business, the income and expenses need to be treated appropriately.

Income may need to be declared, and tax may become payable.

Accountants receive pre-filled information from the ATO.

That information can include:

• Salary and wages
• Tax withheld
• Bank interest
• Dividends
• Private health-insurance information
• Other reported financial data

The ATO already knows a great deal before the taxpayer begins preparing the return.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to hide income or incorrectly inflate deductions.

Robbie: Big Brother is watching.

Hopefully, this helps viewers understand what may legally be claimed and why accurate records are important.

The ADF Tax Checklist

Jace: We are providing an updated tax checklist again this year.

The checklist helps people identify the information they should prepare before meeting their accountant.

It covers different forms of income, personal deductions and investment-property records.

The aim is to help people collect the right documents and give their accountant enough information to pursue the best legitimate result.

Robbie: The checklist is designed to help ADF members get their tax administration squared away.

It covers:

• Tax fundamentals
• Common ADF work-related expenses
• Frequent tax-time traps
• Investment-property records
• Documents to provide to an accountant

Instead of guessing, searching through old emails or leaving everything until the last minute, download the checklist and begin gathering your records.

The link is below.

Moving From Tax to Superannuation

Robbie: We’re approaching the end of Tactical Tax 2026.

We’ve covered investment properties and individual ADF tax returns.

Now let’s discuss superannuation.

Super is extremely important.

ADF members receive generous employer contributions, and rightly so.

As a result, a 35-year-old Defence member may have a significantly higher super balance than a civilian of the same age.

How can members make better use of that position?

What mistakes should they avoid?

And what impact can a small improvement have over several decades?

Jace: Superannuation may become your largest asset outside the family home.

For Axon clients, it may become a race between the value of their investment properties and their super.

The good news is that they have two horses in that race.

Balanced Versus Growth-Oriented Super Options

Jace: One frustration I have is that Defence super accounts may be placed into a balanced investment option by default.

The correct investment approach should relate to the member’s objectives and time horizon.

For a long-term objective, a younger member may consider a more growth-oriented option.

For a short-term objective, such as saving a property deposit over the next two years, defensive assets such as cash or an offset account may be more appropriate.

The default balanced option sits between those positions.

For MSBS members, the member and ancillary components may be invested in the balanced option unless the member makes another selection.

ADF Super members may also begin in a default balanced option.

In the example discussed, the MSBS balanced option held approximately:

• 75 per cent growth assets
• 25 per cent defensive assets

The aggressive option held approximately:

• 88 per cent growth assets
• 12 per cent defensive assets

That represents an additional 13 per cent allocation towards growth assets.

It may not sound significant, but over a long period the effect can be substantial.

The Long-Term Effect of Investment Returns

Jace: In the historical example presented, the balanced option averaged approximately 7.26 per cent over 10 years.

The aggressive option averaged approximately 9.04 per cent.

That difference of around 1.8 percentage points may appear small.

However, by age 60, compounding may turn it into a difference worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Past performance does not guarantee future results, but the example demonstrates why investment allocation matters.

Robbie: A difference of only a couple of percentage points can become a six-figure difference over 10, 20 or 30 years.

The move from a 75/25 allocation to 88/12 does not initially appear enormous.

Its long-term effect may be.

Considering the MSBS Defined Benefit

Jace: I recently spoke with an Axon client who considered himself relatively conservative.

He preferred the balanced option.

However, he also held a substantial MSBS employer component through the defined benefit.

In his case, the employer component was approximately $400,000, while the member and ancillary components totalled around $200,000.

We were only discussing the investment strategy for roughly one-third of the overall position.

The larger defined-benefit component gave him another source of retirement value.

That context may affect how much growth exposure he is comfortable taking within the smaller member-controlled component.

The correct decision still depends on the person’s objectives, tolerance for risk and professional advice.

The broader lesson is that younger members should review their settings early rather than leaving them unchecked for decades.

Default Options in Other Super Funds

Jace: Some large super funds use age-based default strategies.

For example, a younger member may automatically receive a more growth-oriented allocation, which gradually becomes more defensive as retirement approaches.

I would like to see Defence members encouraged to consider their age and time horizon in a similar way.

That does not mean an aggressive option is right for everyone.

It means members should understand their options and make a deliberate decision.

Robbie: This is one reason your combined accounting and financial-planning capability is valuable.

Many accountants cannot provide personal financial advice about superannuation.

Having somebody who understands the tax position and can also advise on broader wealth strategy can reduce the number of separate professionals involved.

Objectives, Strategy and Product

Jace: Superannuation planning should follow three questions:

1. What are your objectives?
2. What strategy supports those objectives?
3. What product or investment option is appropriate for that strategy?

The product comes last.

People often begin by asking which super fund or investment option is best without first defining what they are trying to achieve.

Salary sacrifice can also increase the trajectory of a member’s retirement position.

Imagine somebody earning $200,000 and receiving employer super contributions of around $24,000.

If the applicable concessional contribution cap is $30,000, there may be approximately $6,000 of remaining contribution capacity.

Depending on the individual’s circumstances, they may be able to salary sacrifice that amount.

Because concessional contributions are generally taxed differently from high marginal personal income, contributing $6,000 may reduce take-home pay by less than the full $6,000.

In the example presented, the personal cost was estimated at approximately $3,200.

That is less than $300 per month.

Over 20 years, the compounded effect could potentially add hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on returns, fees, tax and other assumptions.

The specific outcome is not guaranteed, but the illustration demonstrates how a relatively small present-day change can materially affect a long-term result.

Review Your Partner’s Super as Well

Jace: Members should also understand how their spouse’s super is invested.

A household may carefully manage one person’s MSBS or ADF Super account while having no idea where the spouse’s balance is held or how it is allocated.

Both accounts form part of the family’s long-term position.

The difference created by investment allocation and fees over several decades can be significant.

Planning for Retirement Income

Robbie: Around five or six years ago, you asked me several questions while demonstrating your long-term modelling software.

You said:

“What income do you want after you stop working and have paid off your home?”

“What net asset position will you need to support that income?”

“Are you currently on track?”

I had worked in wealth creation for years, but I couldn’t confidently answer those questions.

That forced me to think about the small changes I could make immediately.

The objective is that when Tamara and I eventually stop working, we have a defined income target, understand how it will be funded and can monitor our progress each year.

What kind of relief and clarity do clients gain from that modelling?

Jace: My job is to provide clarity about the future.

That creates peace of mind because clients can see whether the actions they are taking today are likely to support their goals.

We want to increase the trajectory.

A small change made now may have only a modest short-term effect.

Over 20 or 30 years, however, the impact can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Modelling provides a visual representation of the future.

The clients can see that part of their life is being addressed because of the decisions they are making today.

Robbie: Many people are initially introduced to Your Wealth Corporation because they need help with a tax return.

From me to the viewer, use that opportunity to discuss the broader financial picture as early as possible.

Small steps taken consistently over many years can make a substantial difference.

A contribution of around $300 per month may feel manageable today but potentially create a much larger retirement balance over time.

Thank you for being able to discuss tax and superannuation within the same conversation.

Closing Thoughts

Robbie: That is a wrap for Tactical Tax 2026.

Jace and I have now produced dedicated tax content together for seven or eight years.

I appreciate you coming in and discussing tax, superannuation and the wider financial circumstances affecting Axon clients.

The level of care you and your team provide is admirable.

You don’t come from a military background, but I want to place on record how much I value working with you.

I’m grateful that we connected all those years ago.

The support, peace of mind and clarity you provide to people is immeasurable.

Jace: Thank you, mate.

I consider myself an extension of Axon.

I see the effort and care your team provides, and my responsibility is to deliver the same standard.

Robbie: Review the key takeaways carefully.

Sit down by yourself or with your partner and ask:

“What does this mean for me?”

“What does this mean for us?”

“What small or significant steps should we take next?”

All of these areas matter:

• Tax deadlines
• Professional accounting support
• Cash and non-cash deductions
• Depreciation
• PAYG withholding variations
• The date a property becomes available for rent
• Accurate ADF work-related claims
• Record keeping
• Superannuation investment options
• Salary sacrifice
• Long-term retirement planning

I’m now in my 50s.

I was once in my 20s, 30s and 40s as well.

The years move quickly, and eventually you realise there is less time available to make these decisions.

The sooner you begin learning and planning, the better.

Thanks for listening.

I hope you gained something valuable from Tactical Tax 2026.

Make sure you have this information wired tight.

All of it matters in one way or another.

That’s a wrap.

We’ll see you again soon.