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Author Archive | Daniel Butler

About Daniel Butler

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How the NALI provisions and the CGT provisions interact: draft ATO determination provides important guidance (TD 2023/D1)

There has been uncertainty as to how the following two provisions interact: (1) the non-arm’s length income (NALI) provisions in s 295‑550 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth) (ITAA 1997); and (2) the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) provisions in s 102‑5 of the ITAA 1997. The ATO has recently released Draft Taxation Determination TD 2023/D1. [read more]

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Does your SMSF or trust deed unnecessarily require general purpose, more costly, financial statements?

From July 2021 changes to the Australian Accounting Standards (AAS) have meant that many SMSFs and trusts (including discretionary and unit trusts) are required to prepare general purpose financial statements that comply with AAS. Importantly, SMSFs and trusts are impacted by the changed standards where: The SMSF or trust deed or other document requires the [read more]

Street Sign the Direction Way to Pleasant versus Nasty

Are invoices an SMSF or personal expense and will NALE or a contribution arise?

SMSF trustees must only pay expenses that belong to the fund’s activities. They should not pay expenses for anyone else. Conversely, SMSF trustees and members must not pay an invoice (outside of the fund) if the expense is properly payable by the fund. Moreover, some invoices need to be split between the SMSF and another [read more]

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Federal Court confirms AFCA award of $270,000 against a financial adviser for investment loss is a debt due and payable

The Federal Court of Australia held that a self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) could recover the amount of an Australian Financial Complains Authority (AFCA) determination relating to a compensation claim against a financial adviser for an investment loss. This article focuses on SMSF trustees rights to complain and seek compensation via AFCA for inappropriate financial [read more]

The best time for an SMSF to make a voluntary disclosure to the ATO is now

Penalties on SMSF trustees to increase substantially, so definitely time to change to a corporate trustee

Introduction With the penalty unit increasing from $275 to $313 from 1 July 2023, SMSFs need to be extremely careful as this results in most administrative penalties increasing from $16,500 (ie, 60 penalty units x $275) to $18,780 (ie, 60 penalty units x $313). This article discusses administrative penalties under s 166 of the Superannuation Industry [read more]

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Draft legislation issues on proposed NALE changes

In January 2023 Treasury proposed a lower than arm’s length (or nil) expense (NALE) be multiplied by five. For example, NALE of $1,000 would therefore give rise to $5,000 (5 x $1,000) of non-arm’s length income (NALI), taxed at 45% ($5,000 x 45%); resulting in $2,250 tax or an effective tax rate of 225%. (See our [read more]

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SMSFs and voluntary disclosure to the ATO

This article provides important background context on why SMSF trustees may wish to consider using the ATO’s early engagement and voluntary disclosure service to notify the ATO regarding contraventions of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SISA) or Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 (SISR). There are significant advantages that can result from making a voluntary [read more]

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What to do if a company’s constitution is lost?

All is not ‘lost’ if a company’s constitution cannot be located. There are several methods to address the situation. The most appropriate method will depend on several factors including what evidence can be located. Where to start looking Naturally, exhaustive searches should be undertaken of current and prior advisers (including accountants, financial planners and lawyers), [read more]

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Rectification directions –– ATO PS LA 2023/1

Overview The ATO has various powers it can exercise to deal with SMSF non-compliance. One such power is to provide a rectification direction (RD) to an SMSF trustee under s 159 of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) (SISA). Guidance on RDs is provided to ATO officers in Law Administration Practice Statement 2023/1 (PSLA). [read more]