Priya Sharma
Tax & Super Specialist
Priya is a registered tax agent who spent five years at a Big Four accounting firm before joining Savings Mate. She breaks down ATO rulings, tax offsets, and superannuation changes into plain English. Based in Brisbane, she holds a Master of Taxation from UNSW.
Registered Tax Agent, MTax UNSW
Based in: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Specialises in: Australian tax law, ATO rulings, Tax offsets and deductions, Concessional contributions, Division 293 tax, Division 296 tax
Articles by Priya Sharma (60)
Can I Afford to Live Alone in Melbourne? (2026)
Can you afford to live alone in Melbourne in 2026? Get our 2026 budget breakdown, minimum salary requirements, and smart saving tips.
How Much to Earn to Live in Canberra? (2026)
Need to know how much to earn to live in Canberra in 2026? Get our salary breakdown for singles, couples, and families.
How Much to Earn to Live in Brisbane? (2026)
Need to know how much to earn to live in Brisbane in 2026? Find salary estimates for single, couple, and family budgets.
17 Ways Australians Are Cutting $100+ From Their Weekly Grocery Bill
Proven strategies from Frugal Feeds, Choice, and OzBargain — ranked by weekly saving. Stack the top 5 and most families save $80-130/week without eating differently.
Can I Afford a $900K House?
Can you afford a $900K house in 2026? Learn about minimum salaries, deposit requirements, and LMI costs in Australia.
Can I Afford a $500K House?
Can you afford a $500k house in 2026? We break down deposits ($25K-$100K), minimum salaries, and monthly repayments at 6.2%.
Can I Afford a House on $150K? (2026)
Can you afford a house on $150k in 2026? Learn your borrowing power, deposit targets, and realistic city options in Sydney, Melbourne, and beyond.
Can I Afford a House on $110K? (2026)
Can you afford a house on $110k in 2026? We break down borrowing power, deposit needs, and realistic price ranges in Aussie cities.
Can I Afford a House on $70K? (2026)
Buying a house on $70k in 2026? Learn your borrowing power, target price ranges (Sydney $1.4M), and how to boost your deposit.
$170K Salary Australia: Are You Doing Well?
Earning $170K in 2026? See your take-home pay, what lifestyle it affords, and how to save for a deposit.
Carry-Forward Concessional Contributions: How Unused Cap Space Works
Unused concessional cap rolls forward 5 years if your super balance is under $500K. Here's how to use it — with a worked example catching up $85K in one year.
$130K Salary Australia: Are You Doing Well?
Earning $130K in 2026? Find out your take-home pay, what lifestyle it affords, and how to budget to buy a home in Australia.
$70K Salary Australia: Are You Doing Well?
Earning $70k in 2026? See your take-home pay, understand your lifestyle, and learn how to save for a deposit.
Should I Pay Off HECS Early or Invest? (2026)
Should you pay off HECS early or invest? We compare debt reduction vs. market growth using 2026 figures and $20K-$60K examples.
FBT Exemption for Electric Vehicles 2026 — Everything You Need to Know
Complete guide to the FBT exemption for electric vehicles in Australia 2026. Eligibility rules, the $91,387 luxury car limit, PHEV changes, employer requirements, and how much you save.
Tax Deductions for Nurses in Australia (2026)
Nurses: Maximize your 2026 tax refund! Learn to claim deductions for uniforms, education, AHPRA fees, and more.
Crypto Tax Australia 2026: ATO Rules for Bitcoin, Ethereum & NFTs
How the ATO taxes cryptocurrency in 2026. Understand CGT on Bitcoin and Ethereum, disposal events, the 50% discount, DeFi and staking income, and the ATO's exchange data-matching program.
HECS-HELP Changes 2026: 20% Debt Wipe, New Thresholds & What You'll Save
The biggest HECS-HELP reform in decades is here: a 20% automatic debt reduction, new $67K repayment threshold, marginal repayment rates, and WPI-capped indexation. We break down how much you'll save at every debt level from $20K to $100K.
Can I Write Off My Car on Tax? (Australia 2026)
Write off your car tax deductions in Australia for 2026! Learn the cents/km vs logbook methods & tax savings tips.
GST for Small Business 2026: Registration, BAS & Common Mistakes
Essential GST guide for Australian small businesses. When you must register, how to lodge your BAS, what is GST-free, and the most common mistakes that trigger ATO penalties.
Is $150K Enough for a Family in Australia?
Is $150k enough for a family in Australia in 2026? We break down the budget, benefits, and where you can afford to live.
Negative Gearing Explained: How It Works & Is It Worth It in 2026?
Plain-English guide to negative gearing in Australia. How the tax benefit works, real examples with numbers, the risks involved, and whether it still makes sense as an investment strategy in 2026.
How Much Do I Need to Retire in Australia? 2026 Retirement Savings Targets
Calculate how much money you need to retire comfortably in Australia. Covers ASFA retirement standards, Age Pension eligibility, super targets by age, and closing the gap.
Super Contribution Caps 2026-27: New Limits from 1 July
Super contribution caps are increasing from 1 July 2026: concessional cap to $32,500, non-concessional to $130,000, and bring-forward to $390,000. Here's the full breakdown including catch-up contributions, Division 293, and end-of-financial-year strategies.
Work From Home Tax Deductions 2026: What You Can Claim (ATO Rules)
Complete guide to claiming work from home tax deductions in Australia for 2025-26. Compare the fixed rate and actual cost methods, know what records the ATO requires, and avoid common audit triggers.
Is $60K Enough for a Family in Australia?
Can a family survive on $60,000 in 2026? We break down the budget, costs, and tips for Australian families.
Is $85K a Good Salary in Australia? (2026)
Is $85K a good salary in Australia in 2026? We break down your take-home pay, housing costs, and if it’s enough to save and buy a home.
Salary Sacrifice into Super: How to Save Tax & Boost Retirement
$10K salary sacrificed saves ~$2,000 in tax on an $85K salary. How super salary sacrifice works, the $30K cap, worked examples, and pitfalls.
How Much Do You Need to Retire in Australia? The Real Numbers
The ASFA Retirement Standard says you need $690,000 in super (single) or $1,000,000 (couple) for a comfortable retirement at 67. We break down the real numbers, Age Pension supplements, downsizer contributions, and what 'comfortable' actually means.
Centrelink Income Test Explained: How Your Payment Is Calculated
Earn up to $150/fn with no payment cut on JobSeeker, then 50c/$1 kicks in. How Centrelink income tests, taper rates, and partner income work.
Is $50K a Good Salary in Australia? (2026)
Is $50K a good salary in Australia in 2026? We break down your take-home pay, cost of living, and tips for budgeting.
Salary Sacrifice Super: Save $3,250/yr at $100K Salary (2025-26)
Salary sacrificing $10,000 into super at a $100K salary saves about $3,250 in tax a year in 2025-26 (32% marginal vs 15% super). See the savings at every income level plus contribution caps.
Private Health Insurance Rebate 2025-26: How Much You Get Back by Income
Complete guide to the Australian Government Private Health Insurance Rebate for 2025-26. Rebate percentages by age and income tier, how to claim, and the Medicare Levy Surcharge you'll pay without cover.
Child Support Calculator Guide: How Payments Are Calculated
The child support formula in Australia follows an 8-step process using combined income, percentage of care, and cost of children tables. We explain every step with worked examples at various incomes.
Tax Return 2026: Every Change for the 2025-26 Financial Year
Complete summary of tax changes for your 2025-26 tax return — Stage 3 tax cuts, new $1,000 standard deduction, HECS threshold changes, LITO updates, and what they mean for your refund.
How to Save for a Car in Australia (2026)
Saving for a car in Australia (2026)? Learn how much to save (used vs. new prices) and compare loans vs. saving to buy your car.
Downsizer Super Contribution: The Complete Guide
The downsizer contribution lets Australians 55+ contribute up to $300,000 per person ($600K per couple) to super from a home sale. We cover eligibility, the 90-day deadline, tax savings, and Age Pension implications with worked examples.
Can You Access Super Early? Conditions of Release Explained (Australia)
Up to $10,000 per year under financial hardship rules. When you can legally access super early: hardship, compassionate grounds, and illness.
Financial Health Check Before Retirement: Are You Ready to Stop Working?
Planning to retire soon? Use this financial health check to assess whether your super, savings, and income streams are enough to fund a comfortable Australian retirement.
Super Guarantee Rate 2025-26: What 12% Means for Your Retirement Savings
The super guarantee hit 12% on 1 July 2025. Here's what that means in dollar terms at every salary level, how compound growth turns the rate increase into tens of thousands extra at retirement, and the practical steps to make sure you're not leaving money on the table.
Age Pension Australia 2025-26: Rates, Eligibility & Income Test
$1,200.90/fortnight for singles, $1,810.40 for couples combined (from 20 March 2026). Age Pension qualifying age, income and assets tests, and how to apply.
How to Save for a House on $70K Salary
Saving for a house deposit on a $70k salary? Learn how to budget, use the FHSS, and set realistic timelines for 2026.
Crypto Tax in Australia 2025-26: How the ATO Taxes Cryptocurrency
Sold $10K of Bitcoin at a profit? You owe CGT. The ATO matches exchange data. How crypto is taxed, CGT events, DeFi, staking, and records.
How to Choose a Super Fund in Australia: What Actually Matters
Fees of 0.5% vs 1.5% = $100,000+ difference over 30 years. How to compare super funds on fees, returns, insurance, and investment options.
Downsizer Contribution to Super 2026: Put $300K Per Person Tax-Free
How the downsizer contribution works in 2026. Eligible Australians aged 55+ can contribute up to $300,000 per person ($600K per couple) to super from the sale of their home, tax-free.
Working from Home Tax Deductions Australia 2025-26: What You Can Claim
67c/hr fixed rate = $1,340 for 2,000 hours WFH. The ATO's revised method, what records you need, and how to maximise your deduction.
$3 Million Super Tax (Division 296) from July 2026: Who's Affected & What to Do
From July 1, 2026, super balances over $3 million face an additional 15% tax on realised earnings, plus another 10% above $10 million. Unrealised gains were dropped from the final legislation. Here's how the revised Division 296 works, who's affected, and strategies to consider.
Should I Buy a New or Used Car? (Australia 2026)
New vs Used Car Australia 2026: Save thousands by understanding depreciation and comparing $50k vs $25k costs.
Salary Packaging in Australia: How It Works & Is It Worth It?
Save $3,000-$8,000/yr in tax through salary packaging. NFP and healthcare workers can package up to $15,900 tax-free. How it works.
Super Co-Contribution Explained: Get Up to $500 Free from the Government
Earn under $60,400? Put in $1,000 after tax and the government adds up to $500 free. How the super co-contribution scheme works.
GST for Small Business Australia: Registration, BAS & Compliance Guide
Mandatory above $75K turnover. GST adds 10% to your prices but you claim back $1,000s in input credits. Registration, BAS, and claiming guide.
Can I Afford a New Car? (Australia 2026)
Thinking of buying a car in Australia in 2026? Learn the 20/4/10 rule, TCO, and how to compare novated leases vs. loans.
HECS-HELP Repayment Thresholds 2025-26: When & How Much You Repay
Repayments start at $54,435 income (1% = $544/yr). Current HECS-HELP thresholds, rates, indexation changes, and ways to pay it off faster.
How Much Super Do I Need to Retire Comfortably in Australia?
$595K for singles, $690K for couples. That's ASFA's comfortable retirement target. Real numbers by age, lifestyle, and Age Pension impact.
Cost of Living Relief Australia March 2026: What's Getting Cheaper
Energy rebates, lower petrol prices, and easing inflation — here's every cost of living relief measure available to Australians in March 2026 and what's actually getting cheaper.
What Happens If I Don't Pay My HECS Debt?
Don't panic about your HECS debt! Learn how automatic repayments work, what happens if you move overseas, and if you can really 'not pay' your debt.
Super Contribution Caps 2026-27: Maximise Your Super Before June 30
Superannuation contribution caps are changing from July 1, 2026. Here's the new concessional and non-concessional limits, how carry-forward works, and EOFY strategies to boost your retirement savings.
How to Lodge Your Tax Return in Australia 2025-26 (Step-by-Step)
Average refund is $2,500-$3,500. Step-by-step guide to lodging your Australian tax return through myTax, deadlines, and mistakes to avoid.
Youth Allowance 2025-26: Eligibility, Rates & How to Apply
Up to $455.20/fortnight for singles. Youth Allowance eligibility, payment rates, income and assets tests, and how to apply through myGov.
What Happens If I Miss a Credit Card Payment?
Missed a credit card payment in Australia? Learn about late fees ($20-$30), interest rates, and how to fix it before your credit score takes a hit. Practical recovery tips.