---
title: WLM Blog | James Coles
description: More than a blog, this page is where we release our latest market insights, case studies and other timely content. Check back often.  
image: https://insights.wlm.com.au/hubfs/WLM%20Accounting%20Blog.jpg
---

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- [Services](https://www.wlm.com.au/services/) 
    - [Tax & Compliance](https://www.wlm.com.au/services/tax-and-compliance/)
    - [Strategy & Advice](https://www.wlm.com.au/services/strategy-and-advice/)
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- [Insights & Case Studies](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog) 
    - [Blog](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog)
    - [Buying a property with a business partner](https://explore.wlm.com.au/buying_a_property_with_a_business_partner_download)
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- [Contact](https://www.wlm.com.au/contact/)

# News, views and more

More than a blog, this page is where we release our latest market insights, case studies and other timely content. Check back often.

## James Coles

![James Coles](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hubfs/WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg)

### Recent Posts

### Most Recent

**[Categories](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/author/james-coles#!)**

- [Accounting](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/accounting)
- [Business Owners](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/business-owners)
- [Australian Taxation Laws](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/australian-taxation-laws)
- [Financial Planning](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/financial-planning)
- [Tax Planning](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/tax-planning)
- [ATO](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/ato)
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- [Renewable Energy & Environment](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/renewable-energy-environment)
- [23/24 Financial Year](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/23-24-financial-year)
- [Construction](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/construction)
- [Trusts](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/trusts)
- [24/25 Financial Year](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/24-25-financial-year)
- [Case Studies](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/case-studies)
- [Insurance Underwriting](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/insurance-underwriting)
- [Personal Income Tax](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/personal-income-tax)
- [Payroll Tax](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/payroll-tax)
- [WLM News](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/wlm-news)
- [22/23 Financial Year](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/22-23-financial-year)
- [26/27 Financial Year](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/26-27-financial-year)

[![GST on the STC discount: why GST is on the full price, not the net](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hubfs/GST%20on%20the%20STC%20discount%20why%20GST%20is%20on%20the%20full%20price%2c%20not%20the%20net.png)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/gst-on-the-stc-discount-why-gst-is-on-the-full-price-not-the-net)

![James Coles](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg?width=400&height=250&name=WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg)

**James Coles**

 14 October 2026 —  8 min read

### [GST on the STC discount: why GST is on the full price, not the net](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/gst-on-the-stc-discount-why-gst-is-on-the-full-price-not-the-net)

GST on a solar, battery or hot water job is worked out on the full price, before the discount for small-scale technology certificates (STCs). Working it out on the discounted price underpays the GST on every job.

[Read more](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/gst-on-the-stc-discount-why-gst-is-on-the-full-price-not-the-net)

[![New reasonable travel and overtime meal rates](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hubfs/New%20reasonable%20travel%20and%20overtime%20meal%20rates.png)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/new-reasonable-travel-and-overtime-meal-rates)

![James Coles](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg?width=400&height=250&name=WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg)

**James Coles**

 16 September 2026 —  3 min read

### [New reasonable travel and overtime meal rates](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/new-reasonable-travel-and-overtime-meal-rates)

The ATO has released its updated reasonable travel and overtime meal allowance rates for the 2026–27 income year in Taxation Determination TD 2026/4.

The overtime meal allowance has increased to $40.00, while the reasonable amounts for domestic and..

[Read more](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/new-reasonable-travel-and-overtime-meal-rates)

[![Changes to Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) borrowing rules](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hubfs/Changes%20to%20Self%20Managed%20Super%20Fund%20(SMSF)%20borrowing%20rules.png)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/changes-to-self-managed-super-fund-smsf-borrowing-rules)

![James Coles](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg?width=400&height=250&name=WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg)

**James Coles**

 13 August 2026 —  2 min read

### [SMSF borrowing rules have changed: what property your fund can still buy](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/changes-to-self-managed-super-fund-smsf-borrowing-rules)

If your self managed super fund (SMSF) is planning to borrow to buy property, the rules have changed. Residentially zoned property is now largely off the table for geared purchases, unless the property is used for business. If your fund already has..

[Read more](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/changes-to-self-managed-super-fund-smsf-borrowing-rules)

[![ATO Targets Personal Services Income: Is Your Business at Risk?](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hubfs/ATO%20Cracks%20Down%20on%20Personal%20Services%20Income%20Arrangements%20Is%20Your%20Business%20at%20Risk.png)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/ato-targets-personal-services-income-is-your-business-at-risk)

![James Coles](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg?width=400&height=250&name=WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg)

**James Coles**

 16 July 2026 —  3 min read

### [ATO Targets Personal Services Income: Is Your Business at Risk?](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/ato-targets-personal-services-income-is-your-business-at-risk)

The ATO is sharpening its focus on how taxpayers generating income from personal services deal with that income for tax purposes. In a recent [Spotlight bulletin](https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/business-bulletins-newsroom/spotlight-on-personal-services-income-compliance-focus), Small Business Assistant Commissioner Tony Poulakis highlighted the release of..

[Read more](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/ato-targets-personal-services-income-is-your-business-at-risk)

[![Government to wind back electric vehicle FBT exemption in three stages](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hubfs/Government%20to%20wind%20back%20electric%20vehicle%20FBT%20exemption%20in%20three%20stages.png)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/government-to-wind-back-electric-vehicle-fbt-exemption-in-three-stages)

![James Coles](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg?width=400&height=250&name=WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg)

**James Coles**

 15 June 2026 —  3 min read

### [Government to wind back electric vehicle FBT exemption in three stages](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/government-to-wind-back-electric-vehicle-fbt-exemption-in-three-stages)

The Government has announced a staged wind-back of the current Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for electric vehicles (EVs), following recommendations from the Statutory Review of the Electric Car Discount released in May 2026. While the policy..

[Read more](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/government-to-wind-back-electric-vehicle-fbt-exemption-in-three-stages)

[![Federal Budget 2026 - Investors](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hubfs/EOFY%20Tax%20Planning-1.png)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/federal-budget-2026-investors)

![James Coles](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg?width=400&height=250&name=WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg)

**James Coles**

 13 May 2026 —  5 min read

### [Federal Budget 2026 - Investors](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/federal-budget-2026-investors)

The 2026 Federal Budget introduces a range of significant tax changes that could reshape investment strategies, asset structures and long-term planning for Australian investors. From proposed limits on negative gearing and major capital gains tax..

[Read more](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/federal-budget-2026-investors)

[![Div 296 tax](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hubfs/blog%202.png)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/what-the-new-div-296-tax-means-for-large-super-balances)

![James Coles](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg?width=400&height=250&name=WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg)

**James Coles**

 20 April 2026 —  5 min read

### [What the New Div 296 Tax Means for Large Super Balances](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/what-the-new-div-296-tax-means-for-large-super-balances)

The Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions measure (known as the Division 296 tax) is now law and takes effect from 1 July 2026. For those with large super balances, it’s important to understand what the new tax does, why it’s been introduced,..

[Read more](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/what-the-new-div-296-tax-means-for-large-super-balances)

[![solar farm](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hubfs/Bundled%20PPAs%20and%20GST%20The%20Upfront%20Exposure%20Hidden%20in%20Renewable%20Energy%20Contracts%20(1).png)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/bundled-ppas-and-gst-the-upfront-exposure-hidden-in-renewable-energy-contracts)

![James Coles](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg?width=400&height=250&name=WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg)

**James Coles**

 24 March 2026 —  6 min read

### [Bundled PPAs and GST: The Upfront Exposure Hidden in Renewable Energy Contracts](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/bundled-ppas-and-gst-the-upfront-exposure-hidden-in-renewable-energy-contracts)

As Australia’s renewable energy market matures, long-term bundled Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are becoming a key tool for financing projects and managing price and sustainability commitments. However, when green products such as LGCs are..

[Read more](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/bundled-ppas-and-gst-the-upfront-exposure-hidden-in-renewable-energy-contracts)

[![Understanding Your Duties as an SMSF Trustee](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hubfs/Understanding%20Your%20Duties%20as%20an%20SMSF%20Trustee.png)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/understanding-your-duties-as-an-smsf-trustee)

![James Coles](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg?width=400&height=250&name=WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg)

**James Coles**

 20 January 2026 —  4 min read

### [Understanding Your Duties as an SMSF Trustee](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/understanding-your-duties-as-an-smsf-trustee)

Running, or deciding to set up a self-managed super fund (SMSF) gives you control, but it also brings legal responsibilities. 

[Read more](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/understanding-your-duties-as-an-smsf-trustee)

[![Super Tax Shake-Up: Big Balances Beware](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hubfs/Super%20Tax%20Shake-Up%20Big%20Balances%20Beware.png)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/super-tax-shake-up-big-balances-beware)

![James Coles](https://insights.wlm.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg?width=400&height=250&name=WLM-ingrid-photography--0292-1.jpg)

**James Coles**

 19 November 2025 —  4 min read

### [Super Tax Shake-Up: Big Balances Beware](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/super-tax-shake-up-big-balances-beware)

If your super balance is comfortably below $3 million, you can probably relax — the proposed changes to the super rules shouldn’t adversely affect you (yet). But if your super is nudging that level, or if you’re clearly over, the Treasurer’s latest..

[Read more](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/super-tax-shake-up-big-balances-beware)

[1](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/author/james-coles/page/1) [2](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/author/james-coles/page/2) [3](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/author/james-coles/page/3) <https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/author/james-coles/page/2>

### Free Resources

- [Whitepaper: How to minimise tax & risk with business structure](https://explore.wlm.com.au/business-structure-whitepaper-download)
- [Whitepaper: Buying a property with a business partner](https://explore.wlm.com.au/buying_a_property_with_a_business_partner_download)
- [E-Guide: 7 financial mistakes of builders and tradies](https://explore.wlm.com.au/financial-mistakes-of-builders-and-tradies)
- [E-Guide: Tax and accounting considerations for setting up an insurance underwriting agency in Australia](https://explore.wlm.com.au/tax-and-accounting-considerations-for-setting-up-an-insurance-underwriting-agency-in-australia)
- [A guide to the Federal Budget 2025 - 26](https://explore.wlm.com.au/a-guide-to-the-federal-budget-2025-26)
- [EOFY Tax Planning Webinar](https://youtu.be/xhf7yafx8YE?si=TuqCM5eEtWPP91lg)
- [EOFY business checklist](https://explore.wlm.com.au/your-business-end-of-financial-year-checklist)

### Blog Categories

- [Accounting (169)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/accounting)
- [Business Owners (143)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/business-owners)
- [Australian Taxation Laws (126)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/australian-taxation-laws)
- [Financial Planning (88)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/financial-planning)
- [Tax Planning (76)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/tax-planning)
- [ATO (56)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/ato)
- [Superannuation (54)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/superannuation)
- [Professionals (40)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/professionals)
- [Home Owners & Investors (34)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/home-owners-investors)
- [Family Business (30)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/family-business)
- [25/26 Financial Year (25)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/25-26-financial-year)
- [Self Managed Super Funds (23)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/self-managed-super-funds)
- [Renewable Energy & Environment (20)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/renewable-energy-environment)
- [23/24 Financial Year (18)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/23-24-financial-year)
- [Construction (18)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/construction)
- [Trusts (18)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/trusts)
- [24/25 Financial Year (17)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/24-25-financial-year)
- [Case Studies (17)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/case-studies)
- [Insurance Underwriting (16)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/insurance-underwriting)
- [Personal Income Tax (13)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/personal-income-tax)
- [Payroll Tax (9)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/payroll-tax)
- [WLM News (9)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/wlm-news)
- [22/23 Financial Year (8)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/22-23-financial-year)
- [26/27 Financial Year (8)](https://insights.wlm.com.au/blog/tag/26-27-financial-year)

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