Advanced search

Top Navigation

Author Archive | Daniel Butler

About Daniel Butler

Find more about me on:

Here are my most recent posts

DBA-Lawyers-in-Asset-magazine

DBA Lawyers in Asset magazine — The tax trap for super death benefits paid to a deceased estate

This article originally appeared in the March 2014 edition of Asset Magazine (Financial Review). If superannuation death benefits are paid to the estate, a quirk in the law can mean higher tax and increased administration costs. Advisers are well-placed to add value by alerting clients and lawyers to this possible tax trap. Where does a [read more]

TD-2013-22-and-ID-2012-16

TD 2013/22 & ID 2012/16: ATO confirms that each contribution made to a reserve requires an objection

By Daniel Butler, Director, and Bryce Figot, Director, both of DBA Lawyers The ATO has confirmed that contribution reserving is a viable strategy. The ATO has issued an interpretative decision (‘ID’) ATO ID 2012/16 relating to contribution reserving up to 30 June 2013 and a tax determination (‘TD’) TD 2013/22 in respect of contributions made [read more]

Small People - Stands Out

ATO ID 2014/7 — latest from ATO on keeping SMSF assets separate

Australian Taxation Office Interpretative Decision ATO ID 2014/7 provides the latest on the rules regarding keeping SMSF assets separate. It suggests the position is very strict. However, a deeper technical analysis reveals there might often be some ‘flexibility’. This article concludes that the critical practical implication is that each SMSF should have a sole purpose [read more]

ATO ID 2014-2 and pensions deceased estate

ATO ID 2014/2 and pensions to a deceased estate?

Some advisers may have previously recommended that there are opportunities to continue paying a pension following a member’s death to their deceased estate. However, ATO ID 2014/2 provides a real hurdle to this strategy! (Note that this has been a somewhat busy time for the ATO and interpretative decisions regarding pensions. The ATO also recently [read more]

TR2013 D7 apportioning superannuation expenses

TR 2013/D7 — Apportioning SMSF Expenses

The ATO recently released an important draft tax ruling TR 2013/D7 (‘D7’) that focuses on the apportionment of expenses incurred by a superannuation fund where a fund derives both assessable and non-assessable income. D7 is proposed to take effect from 1 July 2014 and then supersede TR 97/13 which currently provides guidance on apportioning expenses. [read more]

International issues facing SMSFs today

International issues facing SMSFs today

This article outlines some of the key international issues facing SMSFs today and addresses the practical skills necessary to ensure that these matters are handled effectively. SMSF residency SMSFs are generally not appropriate for people who spend extended time overseas. Such funds can easily lose their complying status and suffer significant tax penalties. Residency requirements [read more]

SMSF Trustee Disqualification

SMSF trustees — disqualified due to dishonest conduct

Many do not realise the extent of the disqualified person provisions in the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) (‘SISA’). This can result in a person inadvertently acting as trustees of self managed superannuation funds (‘SMSF’) while disqualified. Doing so exposes these trustees to significant penalties. We explore some of the nuances of the disqualified [read more]