Summer 2012
Hello 2012 - let's be friends
After the investment challenges of the past few years, our New Year's wish is to be a friend with 2012.
Naturally, as our friend, 2012 will provide us with greater predictability, lower investment volatility, double digit (positive!) investment returns, no global disasters, clear recovery in world economies and excellent personal health. Surely that is not asking too much? (For Best Friend status, we'd need World Peace and an improved Environment thrown in).
What we can report with certainty is the success Muirfield has achieved for our clients through our recent project to recover tax and find lost super. Since July' 11, well over $80,000 has been returned to you.
We wish you a wonderful 2012 and remind you to take time to enjoy family, friends and holidays. Life is short and is to be lived!
Not completing a tax return? Maybe you should.....
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Over the past few years we have been conscious that some of our retired clients who no longer need to do a full tax return, and have not been doing so, have been missing out on a refund of franking credits from shares or investments they hold. To address this, we have put the 'Franking Credit' tax refund forms onto our website for you to access and /or have advised you to return to your accountant to get the refund.
In late 2011, Tamara, one of our team members, set herself the task of contacting all our clients she was aware of who were potentially eligible for franking credit tax refunds. Many of you had already claimed these refunds, but Tamara and our team have been very pleased to already recover over $80,000 for our clients. Of course our clients have also been thrilled to get this bonus - an extra Christmas present! If you have shares that have paid dividends and you have not done a tax return over the past couple of years, give Tamara a call and you may be the happy recipient of a New Year's bonus!
Thanks, Tamara |
Do you have lost Super?
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In talking to a client recently about 'lost' superannuation, I directed them to the Australian Tax Office, Superseeker website: where we found $1500 for their children. It is certainly worth a look - name, date of birth and your tax file number are all that are required. We hope you uncover some lost treasure - Happy Hunting. If you require any assistance please contact our office.
Look for your super HERE |
Interest versus Dividends
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A common goal for many of our retired clients is to achieve a steady, reliable income. While fixed interest and cash based investments are traditional instruments for achieving consistent income the reduction in interest rates has raised some concerns.
Interest rates on bank deposits have now been falling for more than a year - to the point where a rate of 5% pa is the norm. This is a drop in earnings from interest of more than 20% from 2010.
On the other hand, share dividends from Blue Chip shares such as CBA, NAB, Westpac, ANZ and Telstra are paying gross dividends of approx 10% pa.
Whilst the current market conditions make cash a somewhat comforting investment, Blue Chip shares should not be overlooked. Our use of the SMA Blue Chip Top 20 and diversified Australian Share Funds have been favourable in providing consistent income for our clients.
Read on for a comparison between cash interest and Woolworths dividends as well as the forecast on Blue Chip dividend yields.... |
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