Insights

Read about the latest from our firm, our team and our client success stories.

Expert tips to streamline your conveyancing process

The conveyancing stage can be a complex and time-consuming process that requires careful attention to detail. We explore some of the best ways to simplify conveyancing and make the process smoother.…

Drink Driving: A comprehensive guide

If you are arrested for a drink driving offence you may end up with a criminal record, here's what you need to know.…

UPDATE: Home Guarantee Scheme Expanded

From 1 July 2023 it will be easier to access the Home Guarantee Scheme with friends and family now able to join applications…

Federal Budget 2023-24 Snapshot

The ‘ace in the hole’ of the 2023-24 Federal Budget was the $4.2bn surplus; the first in 15 years.…

Congratulations to our newest Partner

We are proud to announce the promotion of Aisha Lopez as our newest Partner!…

Selling a business? The pros and cons of earn-out clauses

Earn-out clauses for the sale of a business are becoming increasingly common and can be a powerful negotiating tool that can benefit both the buyer and seller.…

6 reasons you need a will

A will helps protect your estate and provides comfort and clarity to your loved ones after you pass away. It is important to ensure that your will is legally valid and that it is kept up to date. …

Navigating Relocation Orders: A Guide for Families

Relocating with your children after a separation or divorce can be a complicated and emotional process. In most cases you will need a Relocation Order to legally move forward with your plans.…

Watch out for working from home tax deductions

The ATO has ‘refreshed’ the way you can claim deductions for the costs you incur when you work from home.…

Help! How can I avoid a criminal conviction?

If you have been charged with a criminal offence you may be able to avoid a criminal conviction through a Section 10 dismissal…

Help with binding financial agreements

A BFA is a practical and cost effective way to safeguard your assets in the event of separation.…

Downsizer contributions now available for over 55's

From 1 January 2023 over 55's can benefit from making a 'downsizer contribution' into their superannuation…

An introduction to Apprehended Violence Orders (AVO)

An Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) is an order to protect a person(s) from domestic violence. A person who has been subjected to family violence, or is afraid to be subjected to family violence or other violence, may apply for an AVO.…

FBT at Christmas

Christmas can be a confusing time for tax, let us break it down for you…

Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill passes on 2 December

On 2 December 2022 the parliament passed the ‘Secure Jobs, Better Pay’ Bill. The legislation brings into effect a series of changes and obligations that will impact on many workplaces.…

Franchising 101

A franchise is a business model where the owner licences it’s products, branding and operating models in exchange for a franchise fee. The person paying the licencing fee is known as the Franchisee, the owner of the business is the Franchisor.…

30 November Director ID deadline

All directors need a director ID. The deadline for existing directors of Australian companies to obtain a Director Identification Number is 30 November 2022.…

UPDATE: Stamp duty refund for first home buyers now available

Contracts for property purchases between 11 November 2022 and 15 January 2023 may be eligible for a stamp duty refund…

The Budget 2022- 23 unveiled

The 2022 - 2023 Budget is a shuffling of the deck not a new set of cards. There is nothing in the 2022-23 Federal Budget 2.0 that will create a UK style crisis.…

Lessons learnt from a data breach: Understanding the Privacy Act

The recent breaches are a timely warning on the importance of understanding your obligations to maintain data private.…

Having issues with Parenting Orders?

If you have been through the process of obtaining Family Court orders in relation to parenting for your children, you expect that the Orders will be adhered to. Unfortunately that isn’t always the case.…

First Home Buyers are given a stamp duty choice

From 16 January 2023, eligible first home buyers will be offered the choice to pay stamp duty up front as a lump sum, or they can elect the new option to pay an annual land tax.…

Zahr Partners winners at the Local Business Awards 2022

Zahr Partners have been honoured at the St George Local Business Awards 2022, taking out the most outstanding professional services category…

How to apply for Divorce

For married couples that are separating, the process undertaken to legally dissolve a marriage is called divorce and is usually a very straightforward process undertaken through the Family Law court.…

How to prepare your business for sale - Positioning and Structuring

If you’re thinking about selling your business you need to take the time to prepare your business for sale by focusing on positioning your business and structuring your sale.…

FBT free for electric vehicles

New legislation before Parliament will make zero or low emission vehicles FBT-free.…

Business acquisitions made easy

If you're thinking of buying an existing business there are many important questions you should be asking before you sign on the dotted line .…

Quick guide to buying property off-the-plan

Buying a property off the plan means signing a contract to purchase a property that hasn’t been built yet. Our quick guide to buying property off the plan is a good place to start in understanding the benefits and potential pitfalls.…

Family Law Update - The Evatt List

The Family Law Court has created the Evatt List to fast track high risk Family Law cases…

The low down on the NSW Shared Equity Scheme

The NSW government has announced a $780.4 million Shared Equity Scheme aimed at helping some home buyers by reducing the upfront and ongoing costs of taking out a home loan.…

What tax deductions can you claim on your investment property

Many of us have heard of terms such as 'negative gearing' and 'capital gains tax exemption' but there may be other deductibles that you have overlooked. It is important to take the time to do the research and see how these and other deductions can be applied to your property.…

The Family Law court encourages alternative dispute resolution

On 1 September 2021 there were significant changes to the Family Law court and processes. Some of the most significant changes have been the Court’s push for parties involved in a family law dispute to resolve their matters through alternative dispute resolution. …

Inherited property may be exempt from capital gains tax

If you have inherited a property and are preparing to sell, you need to understand the tax treatment for capital gains tax.…

Are your contractors actually employees?

Many business owners assume that if they hire independent contractors they will not be responsible for PAYG withholding and other employer obligations, however in some cases genuine contractors can be treated as if they were employees.…

Education, Skills & Training deductions in the 2022 - 23 budget

The 2022 - 23 budget to include a $120 deduction for every $100 spent on skills and training…

Divorce, Superannuation and the Gender Divide

New legislation will help prevent superannuation assets from being hidden during divorce proceedings.…

Stephen Zahr recognised by Doyle's Guide best criminal lawyer list

Stephen Zahr and Zahr Partners recognised by Doyle's Guide for the fourth consecutive year as Sydneys best criminal defence lawyers…

NSW small business support package announced

The NSW Government has announced a $1bn support package for struggling NSW small businesses.…

Tax exemption for ‘granny flat’ arrangements

To protect older Australians, the Government has moved to formalise ‘granny flat arrangements’ by providing an incentive to protect all parties in the arrangement.…

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments rules change

The rules for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment changed on 18 January 2022.…

The New Lifetime Director IDs

Directors will be required to register for a unique identification number that they will keep for life, much like a tax file number under a rewrite of Australia’s business registers.…

The new Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Rules – what are my obligations?

With the merger of the former Federal Circuit Court of Australia and Family Court of Australia on 1 September 2021 into the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) came a new amalgamated set of Rules known as the Federal Circuit and Family Court Rules of Australia 2021.…

What are my options as a first home buyer?

Let us clear up the confusion: what, how, when and how much am I entitled to as a first home buyer.…

The new Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

On 1st September 2021, the former Federal Circuit Court of Australia and the Family Court of Australia merged to create the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA). But what does that mean for family law matters?…