Line-by-line: what you can and can’t claim on your tax – Part 1

Tax time is fast approaching, and the perennial question asked of accountants around the country is: “What deductions am I entitled to?” The Bongiorno Group’s Directors, Ricky Caldow and Mitch McKeown, go through each item, line-by-line, specifically addressing deductions of medical professionals.…

An update on HECS repayments and tax checks

Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) and Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) were designed to provide cheap loans for tertiary students to fund their education, the indexation of which has been traditionally linked to the consumer price index (CPI). However, the indexation in recent times …

Federal Budget 2024 – what it means for you

This year's federal budget was delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, whose government is cognisant of cost-of-living pressures and keeping inflation in check. Nick Fennessy, Director at the Bongiorno Group, describes the budget as relatively harmless, with a surplus lower than the previous year. He…

Interest rates – they’re not all they appear to be

Variable and fixed-interest loans have their advantages and disadvantages, and what works depends on your particular circumstances. In this episode, the Bongiorno Group’s Senior Finance Consultant Mark Bremner and Finance Manager Jack Will discuss the implications of each, as well as the rationale …

Stepped vs. level premium insurance

Depending on your circumstances, it might be worth opting for a stepped, level or hybrid insurance premium structure. First, it’s important to understand what stepped and level premiums mean. The Bongiorno Group’s Head of Risk Advisory Services, Yanish Geerdharry, discusses the difference between t…

Super top-ups and catch-ups

With changes to marginal tax rate thresholds and rates, there may be increased benefits in maximising tax-deductible expenses and strategies before the end of the financial year. The Bongiorno Group’s Director Sarah Thorburn and Financial Advisor Jessica Weaver discuss a range of super-related stra…

Are you prepared for HECS indexation?

Since they were first introduced, the federal government’s HECS and HELP schemes have assisted many thousands of university students access quality education by deferring their fees until they starting earning a wage. What was once considered a favourable loan due to low interest rates, has now lef…

Victorian property market update: April 2024

How does Victoria compare with the rest of the country’s property market? And what should both sellers and buyers know when it comes to their own investment plan? Those are some of the questions Nick Fennessy, Director at the Bongiorno Group, puts to Julian Muldoon, Director at 1Group Property Advi…

Bongiorno Group Women in Surgery Grant

The late Tony Bongiorno was a pioneer in promoting gender equity in the workforce since the early 1970s. In memory of Tony’s commitment to education and equality, the Bongiorno Group has established a new grant to support female trainees and surgeons. The $10,000 grant is provided to women who are …

Temporary or permanent disability protection with the right insurance

Losing income due to disability can have significant financial implications, which underlies the importance of having appropriate insurance coverage. Yanish Geerdharry, Head of Risk Advisory Services at the Bongiorno Group, and Rory Jacobs, Senior Business Development Manager at PPS Mutual, discuss…