Forensic Accounting

Australia's capital gains tax rules are changing from 1 July 2027, and for owners of private businesses, 30 June 2027 could become an important valuation date. The changes are now law. The reforms passed both Houses of Parliament and received royal assent in June 2026 (Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Act 2026 and the related Income Tax Rates Amendment Act). From 1 July 2027, the existing 50% CGT discount will generally be replaced with cost base indexation, togethe

When a plaintiff's earnings history is limited, incomplete, or disputed, industry-level average weekly earnings data provides a reliable benchmark for what workers in their sector typically earn. Understanding how forensic accountants use this data can strengthen the credibility of an economic loss assessment.

Discount rates of 4%, 6%, 7%, and 8% are used in a range of legal and commercial contexts beyond the standard 3% and 5% rates seen in NSW personal injury claims. Understanding when these higher rates apply — and what difference they make — is an important part of any present value analysis.

When a business is valued during a family law property settlement, its value is not always found in its equipment, bank accounts or other physical assets. Often, a significant part of its apparent value is goodwill. But not all goodwill is the same. A critical distinction can arise between personal goodwill, which is connected to the individual running the business, and commercial goodwill, which belongs to the business itself. Understanding the difference can have a signific

Motor accidents in NSW after 1 December 2017 fall under a different legislative scheme from earlier claims. The Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 introduced a no-fault statutory benefits structure with its own caps, thresholds, and indexed amounts that must be correctly applied.