Frequently Asked Questions

Medical professionals have income structures, deduction entitlements, and compliance obligations that general accountants rarely encounter. A specialist understands multiple income streams (hospital salary, private practice, procedure fees), medical-specific deductions like AHPRA registration and indemnity insurance, and advanced structuring through companies, trusts and SMSFs. The difference in tax outcomes typically ranges from $15,000 to $80,000 per year.

Doctors can typically claim: medical equipment and instruments, professional indemnity and income protection insurance, AHPRA and specialist college registration fees, conference attendance and continuing professional development, medical journals and subscriptions, professional uniforms and laundry, work-related phone and home office costs, vehicle expenses for patient visits, and practice management software. Our specialists ensure every legitimate deduction is captured with correct documentation.

There's no single answer — it depends on your income level, family circumstances, asset protection needs, and growth plans. Most specialists earning above $200,000 benefit from a company or trust structure due to income splitting opportunities and asset protection. Associates and contractors often use a company plus discretionary trust. We model the tax outcomes of each structure for your specific situation before recommending anything.

Our clients typically save between $15,000 and $80,000 in annual tax compared with what they were paying before. Across a 30-year medical career this can exceed $1 million in additional retained wealth. Savings come from correct deduction claims, optimal structuring, superannuation contribution planning, income splitting, and property investment strategies.

We recommend at least four touchpoints per year: quarterly tax position reviews, a pre-30 June strategy session, an annual results review, and ongoing planning. Additional consultations happen whenever major decisions arise — buying property, starting or buying a practice, changing structures, or selling investments. All regular meetings are included in our fixed annual fee.

Generally you must keep records for five years from the date you lodge your return. This includes receipts and invoices for all deductions, logbooks for vehicle claims, bank statements, contracts, and documentation for any asset purchases or sales. We provide a simple cloud-based system to capture records throughout the year, so tax time becomes straightforward rather than a scramble.

We use a fixed annual fee based on the complexity of your affairs — not billable hours. Your fee includes tax return preparation for you and your entities, quarterly reviews, proactive planning advice, and unlimited phone and email support throughout the year. You'll know exactly what you're paying upfront, with no surprise invoices. We'll provide a written quote after your free consultation.

Absolutely. We serve doctors in every state and territory across Australia — from major cities to regional towns. Consultations are conducted by video or phone at times that suit shift work and clinic schedules, with a secure client portal for document sharing and e-signatures. Many of our long-standing clients have never visited our Bankstown office.

It's simple and we handle everything. After your free consultation, we send you an engagement letter and a short authority form. We then contact your previous accountant directly to obtain your files and tax history — you don't need to have that conversation yourself. The whole process typically takes two to three weeks, and there's no disruption to your compliance obligations.

It's a genuine 30–45 minute conversation, not a sales pitch. We'll ask about your income sources, current structures, investments, family situation and goals. We'll then identify the most significant opportunities and risks in your current position, and explain what we'd recommend. You'll leave with actionable insight whether or not you choose to engage us. There is no cost and no obligation.

We work with the full spectrum of medical and healthcare professionals: GPs, specialists, surgeons, physicians, dentists and dental specialists, registrars and trainees, medical practice owners, allied health practitioners, and veterinary professionals. Because we focus exclusively on the medical sector, our knowledge stays current with the specific rules and issues that affect you.

Yes. Doctor's Tax is a registered tax agent practice, and our team members hold appropriate qualifications with CPA Australia and/or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. We maintain professional indemnity insurance and meet all ongoing continuing education requirements mandated by the Tax Practitioners Board. You can verify our registration at any time through the TPB register.