Moss Super Pty Ltd v Hayne [2008] VSC 158 is an important lesson for trustees and advisers to always consider what the governing rules of an SMSF provide before attempting to make changes or exercise powers. Facts The Photography Management Services Pty Ltd Superannuation Fund (Fund) was established by deed dated 31 May 1995. The [read more]
Acquiring shares under an employee share scheme (ESS) via your self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) may appear attractive but greater uncertainty has arisen following the ATO’s recent ruling, LCR 2021/2, on the application of the non-arm’s length income (NALI) rules to such a transaction. This ruling focuses on NALI arising from the non-arm’s length expenditure [read more]
The ATO issued its comprehensive ruling, TR 2010/1, on what constitutes a contribution to a superannuation fund in February 2010. A revised draft for consultation of TR 2010/1-DC (DC) was issued on 28 July 2021 reflecting changes as a consequence of the ATO’s views provided in Law Companion Ruling (LCR) 2021/2. LCR 2021/2 confirmed the [read more]
DBA Lawyers latest SMSF governing rules and related documents includes many value-added features. This article briefly explains why our SMSF documents are the best available. Recent changes to DBA Lawyers’ SMSF governing rules Our latest DBA Lawyers’ SMSF governing rules (version 2021-22) comes with the following upgrades: expanded Trustee investment powers in respect of any [read more]
What is PCG 2016/5? Advisers would be well aware of the ATO’s ‘safe harbour’ regarding the application of non-arm’s length income (NALI) to related party limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs). Broadly, the ATO’s Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2016/5 (Guideline) sets out ‘safe harbour’ terms on which SMSF trustees may structure their LRBAs which the ATO [read more]
While DBA is recognised as Australia’s leading SMSF law firm, it is also well known for it’s great depth of tax and trusts expertise. DBA Lawyers offers an excellent discretionary trust deed that is easy to read, provides great flexibility and reflects the latest legislative changes. Also included is a detailed memo, trustee resolutions, covering [read more]
Deeds are vital to the SMSF industry. Most SMSFs will be established by deed. Subsequent variations to the deed/governing rules of an SMSF, as well as a range of other documents, will typically be contained in a deed. Accordingly, it is vital that SMSF advisers know what is required for a document to be a [read more]
Recently the ATO’s Acting Assistant Commissioner for Superannuation, Steve Keating, outlined the ATO’s current approach to dealing with SMSFs facing compliance issues and making voluntary disclosures. The ATO has recognised that many Australians are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore it is not pursuing its usual audit program. For [read more]
Broadly, foreign purchaser duty surcharge of 7% to 8% applies on top of the normal duty impost (typically between 5% to 6%) where a discretionary trust acquires relevant real estate and the trust is deemed to be a ‘foreign trust’ in the relevant jurisdiction. For simplicity, we refer to ‘discretionary trusts with foreign beneficiaries’ that [read more]
The changes In the past few years, various jurisdictions in Australia have introduced legislation to impose duty and land tax surcharges on foreign persons, trusts and companies that purchase or hold certain types of real estate. The State Revenue Legislation Further Amendment Bill 2020 (NSW), which became law on 24 June 2020, contains amendments relating [read more]
