A year in review – 2025

It has been a productive and enriching year for the team at North Advisory in 2025. We’ve been fortunate to support many business owners, individuals, and families in navigating complex financial decisions, from buying and selling a business to starting a business, as well as superannuation, wealth structuring, and estate planning. We also published a range of articles that resonated with many of you. Below is a look back at our most-read posts of the year and why they struck a chord.

The Div296 takeaways
This article dissected the controversial new superannuation measure, Division 296. Proposed initially to tax unrealised gains, the plan drew sharp criticism for potentially saddling retirees with tax bills on “paper profits.” In the revised proposal, now widely accepted, tax applies only to realised earnings, interest, dividends, rental income, and capital gains when assets are sold. Under the new structure, anyone with super balances above $3 million will incur an additional tax on the earnings attributed to that excess: 30% for balances between $3 million and $10 million, and 40% for balances exceeding $ 10 million. The thresholds will also be indexed to inflation.

By setting an implementation date of 1 July 2026 with first assessments based on balances at 30 June 2027, the government has given individuals and advisers like us time to plan.

The value of a family trust to your business
Many business owners asked: Do you need a family trust? In this article, we explain that while a trust may not always be necessary, it offers considerable value, especially in terms of asset protection, flexibility, and estate planning. A family trust structure enables a company to run the business, with the trust owning the shares. Profits can be distributed through the trust to different family members, allowing for income splitting according to individual tax brackets. Crucially, assets held in trust are not part of the trustee’s personal estate, which helps ensure business continuity even after the original owner passes away.

Inheritance Tax. Does it exist?
Inheritance tax is often misunderstood. In this article, Cayle clarified how inheritance tax works in Australia and compared it with systems overseas, and addressed common misconceptions. The piece was among our most-read, as many clients began thinking about estate planning and legacy preservation. It sparked important conversations about the interplay between wills, trusts, and superannuation structures.

Purchasing a small business? What you need to know
For entrepreneurs looking to expand or transition into business ownership, this article proved invaluable. Marius outlined key considerations when purchasing a small business, including due diligence and valuation, structuring, financing, and tax implications. It helped many prospective buyers make informed decisions about whether a business acquisition would be right for them, especially in a shifting economic environment.

What is tax optimisation?
Tax planning isn’t just about minimisation. In this article, Marius explored the concept of tax optimisation: structuring income, investments, super, and business interests to legally take advantage of deductions, concessions, and efficient wealth structuring. The clarity resonated with clients who were juggling business growth, personal wealth, and long-term retirement goals.

When is a good time to start an SMSF?
Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) offer control and flexibility, but they’re not for everyone. In this popular article, Cayle discusses when starting an SMSF makes sense, depending on your age, wealth level, retirement timeline, and desire for control. For many readers, this prompts consideration of their retirement planning and whether a traditional superannuation fund or an SMSF is better suited to their long-term wealth and investment goals.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our clients and the incredible team at North Advisory. Your trust, collaboration, and feedback have shaped the work we do every day.

Please note: our office will be closed from 12:00 pm on Tuesday, 23 December 2025, and will reopen on Monday, 5 January 2026.

Enjoy the break, and we look forward to working with you again in 2026