Tomorrow is the last day of the financial year, and therefore, the last day you can make tax-effective contributions to your superannuation, at least until next financial year, that is.

But to make a so-called concessional contribution, you’d most likely need to transfer the money into your superannuation account today so it appears there tomorrow. It would pay to check with your bank and superannuation fund to see whether the transfer will arrive in time.

So how much can you contribute, and why should you?

Each year, individuals can contribute $30,000 as concessional contributions, which are taxed at just 15%.

For salary earners, the amount contributed into superannuation by their employer counts towards the $30,000 cap.

Extra contributions made by an individual are taxed at 15% and can be claimed as a tax deduction. In most cases, this means your overall taxable income, and therefore tax paid, will be lower.

It’s possible to track how much you’ve contributed as concessional contributions, and hence how much extra you can put in, by checking the ATO’s online services. Some super funds also list this information.

If you do put extra into your super and want it to be a concessional contribution, you also need to lodge a notice of intent to claim. This alerts your super fund that it is a concessional contribution, and they will take the 15% tax out as necessary.  

How to make an even bigger contribution

Of course, you can always wait until next financial year to put money in, but there’s a good reason to check you’re not missing an opportunity, particularly if you have a large lump sum you can contribute.

Specifically, unused concessional amounts can be used, going back up to five years, as long as you have less than $500,000 in super at 30 June of the previous financial year.

As the ATO website explains:

If you have unused concessional cap amounts from previous years, you may be able to carry them forward to increase your contribution caps in later years. The oldest available unused cap amounts are carried forward first. For example, unused cap amounts from 2019–20 would be used to increase your cap first before unused cap amounts from 2020–21. Unused concessional cap amounts are applied automatically once you exceed the cap in any year.

Once you’ve used up any concessional caps it is also possible to make non-concessional contributions of up to $130,000 per year.

While the strategies outlined in this article might be useful, they might not be for everyone, and this article does not constitute financial advice. It’s always prudent to consult a financial adviser when setting up a new investment strategy.

The post If you want to use this strategy to top up your superannuation you have to act today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

At the start of each week, I like to look at ASIC’s short position report to find out which ASX shares are being targeted by short sellers.

That’s because I believe it is worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn’t quite right with a company.

With that in mind, here are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC:

• Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX: LOT) continues to be the most shorted ASX share with short interest of 22.8%. This ASX uranium stock has suspended its shares pending an update on its Kayelekera Project.
• Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) has seen its short interest ease again to 14.3%. Short sellers don’t appear confident that this pizza chain operator’s turnaround will be a success.
• Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) has short interest of 13.7%, which is down week on week. There are concerns over this uranium miner’s uncertain production outlook from 2027.
• Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) has short interest of 12.9%, which is flat since last week. This radiopharmaceuticals company’s shares have struggled over the past 18 months amid challenges to US FDA approvals.
• DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) has seen its short interest increase to 12.5%. Short sellers have been increasing positions in this counter-drone technology company since it disclosed an ASIC investigation into some announcements and insider share sales.
• CAR Group Limited (ASX: CAR) has short interest of 12.2%, which is up slightly again since last week. Short sellers may believe that higher interest rates could weigh on the automotive market and listings.
• Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) has 11.5% of its shares held short, which is flat week on week. This travel agent recently downgraded its earnings guidance due to negative impacts from the Middle East conflict.
• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) has short interest of 11.4%. This wine giant is battling tough trading conditions and distribution challenges in key markets.
• Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) has entered the top ten with 11.35% of its shares held short. This uranium producer’s shares have dropped 17% in a month. Short sellers appear to believe there is more to come.
• 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) has seen its short interest ease to 11.1%. This short interest is likely to be due to valuation concerns, with the medical technology company’s shares trading on sky high multiples.

The post Here are the 10 most shorted ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Domino’s Pizza Enterprises and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, DroneShield, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CAR Group Ltd, Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Flight Centre Travel Group, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

With just a few days left until the end of FY26, investors have their final chance to snap up ASX 200 shares with high-growth potential for the year ahead.

Here are four of my top ASX 200 picks, and they’re all tipped to climb higher over the next 12 months.

Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW)

Tech-based gaming company Light & Wonder’s share price climbed to an all-time high in early 2026. But they then crashed by 44% by early May after a disappointing FY25 result and a mixed first-quarter FY26 result.

The ASX 200 gaming company’s share price has rebounded by around 20% since then, but it has barely made a dent in the losses suffered earlier in the year. Light & Wonder has been reshaping its business in recent years, focusing on recurring revenue and earnings improvement. If execution continues improving, it could continue to build value over the long term.

Brokers are bullish and unanimously rate the ASX 200 shares as a strong buy. They expect a 59% upside to $192.75 over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)

The Mexican-themed fast-food restaurant chain’s shares hit a historic low in early April but have since rebounded by around 24%.

After multiple headwinds and sombre sentiment so far this year, Guzman Y Gomez shares look like they have finally changed course. The latest rebound comes on the back of news that the company closed its struggling US stores in late May. Instead, it plans to focus its business expansion on Asia and Australia. Its long-term goals remain intact, including plans to reach 1,000 restaurants in Australia and improve network EBITDA.

The majority of brokers rate the ASX 200 shares as a strong buy. They tip a 24% upside to an average $23.37 target price, at the time of writing.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

The ASX 200 tech stock has been in the spotlight in late June after media reports alleged that the Australian Federal Police is investigating founder Richard White over alleged trafficking matters. The company responded, saying that the investigation relates to White in a personal capacity and said that there is no suggestion of an alleged investigation into the company itself. But investors have still rushed for the exits. It’s the latest of a long line of headwinds for the company over the past 12 months.

Nevertheless, I think WiseTech has a strong competitive advantage in the global logistics industry. I also think the company’s future hinges on its FY26 results. If it manages to reach or exceed its upgraded guidance, I think we’ll see a turnaround in investor sentiment.

Brokers are bullish, and most hold a strong buy rating. The average $72.39 target price implies a potential 152% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF)

The ASX 200 gold miner has faced headwinds from higher mining costs and softer gold prices, and it’s caused significant volatility in its share price so far in 2026. Investor sentiment has also dropped, and many have rushed to sell up their shares and rotate into larger, more stable assets instead.

However, the miner has posted record-breaking production results this year and raised its production guidance for FY26. The ASX 200 gold miner forecasts production of 430,000 to 490,000 ounces of gold, which implies production up to 63% higher than FY25.

Gold prices are forecast to rebound this year, which could hike the value of high-performing gold miners like West African Resources.

Brokers unanimously rate the ASX 200 gold miner’s shares as a strong buy. The average $5.89 target price implies a potential 86% upside at the time of writing.

The post 4 ASX 200 shares I’d buy before the end of June appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Light & Wonder Inc and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Light & Wonder Inc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.