With the Christmas season upon us, it is timely to remind those who have employees of the Income Tax and Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) implications when providing Christmas gifts and entertainment at a Christmas function.

The recent US Debt rating downgrade by Standards & Poors (“S&P) has sent shockwaves through global financial markets, reminding us all that Australia is part of the global economy. In order to help you better understand the situation, we have included a summary.

BMG’s founding father, Ross Black, is set to retire on 30 June 2011. The current directors and team at BMG congratulate Ross on a distinguished career and wish him and his family well in his retirement.

This year’s Federal Budget focused on building Australia’s future workforce whilst maintaining strict spending disciplines designed to return the Budget to surplus in 2012-13. We have summarised in the attachment some of the main announcements (yet to be passed as legislation through parliament).

30 June is fast approaching and the end of another financial year draws near. We have included a tax planning checklist to allow you to take advantage of any pre - June 2011 actions to minimize income tax.

The paid parental leave scheme commenced on 1 January 2011, however, the role of employers is being phased in to help employers transition to the new arrangements. What does it mean for your business?

Stephen was recently featured in an independent financial advisors magazine, IFA. His profile titled, Working to Live, showcases not only Stephen but BMG as a whole.

While BMG still continues to share in the same values and expertise, we have decided that a small face lift is in order to help celebrate our 35th Anniversary. We have developed a new logo to encapsulate the range of holistic financial services that we provide.

Until you experience a serious injury or illness, it’s very easy to think that it’ll never happen to you. However there are a lot of complications involved in suffering an injury or illness, or seeing someone close to you experience this misfortune. Protect yourself and your family with Life Insurance.

Australia's first paid parental leave scheme commenced on 1 January 2011. It will provide eligible working parents with 18 weeks of government funded pay at the national miminum wage, currently $570 a week before tax. Here are some quick facts for working parents and employers.

BMG has recognised the emerging trend for clients to request certainty regarding professional fees. We take the worry and guess work out of our professional fees.

The feeling of making progress and achievement (whether it be financially, academically, physically, spiritually etc) is what gives many of us as human beings a sense of wellbeing. Each of us at BMG really enjoy working with clients who are aiming to build their financial wellbeing and are willing to firstly listen to our advice and then implement the advice.