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Author Archive | William Fettes

About William Fettes

Here are my most recent posts

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Market linked pensions –– timely action may be needed to avoid a hefty excess transfer balance tax assessment

SMSFs paying market linked pensions (‘MLPs’) should carefully review the potential impact of recent changes to the transfer balance cap (‘TBC’) rules where an MLP that commenced prior to 1 July 2017 was commuted or restructured on or after that date. The Treasury Laws Amendment (2019 Measures No. 3) Act 2019 (Cth) received royal assent [read more]

Sutton v NRS(J) Pty Ltd [2020] NSWSC 826: Lessons for managing lost trust deeds

Sutton v NRS(J) Pty Ltd [2020] NSWSC 826: Lessons for managing lost trust deeds

The recent decision of Sutton v NRS(J) Pty Ltd [2020] NSWSC 826 highlights the importance of having original executed copies of all constituent trust documents. It has tremendous relevance for SMSFs. Facts The facts of the case were as follows: In 17 August 1972, a discretionary trust (‘Trust’) was established for the benefit of the [read more]

Recent change to the tax treatment of income from super in a testamentary trust

Recent change to the tax treatment of income from super in a testamentary trust

Overview The article focuses on the tax treatment of superannuation proceeds that are paid to a testamentary trusts and the interaction of div 6AA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth) (ITAA 1936’) which covers excepted trust income (‘ETI’). This is an important topic because unless a minor beneficiary is an excepted person or [read more]

DBA Lawyers’ Annual Update Service for SMSF deeds

DBA Lawyers’ Annual Update Service for SMSF deeds

On 1 July 2020, DBA Lawyers will make available the latest version of our SMSF governing rules for all Annual Update Service subscribers. In addition to covering all relevant legal changes (including superannuation law, case law and ATO materials), the latest version of our SMSF governing rules includes many value-added features such as new COVID-19 [read more]

SMSF succession –– minimising risk given COVID-19

SMSF succession –– minimising risk given COVID-19

In recent months, we have seen a significant increase in succession planning queries and assignments where we have been asked to provide advice and/or documents, including binding death benefit nominations (‘BDBNs’), reversionary pensions, planning for control of an SMSF and implementing timely member exit strategies for those who may be left with a limited time [read more]

SMSFs, super & international issues

SMSFs, super & international issues

In today’s increasingly globalised world, it is not uncommon for many family groups (ie, fund members and their children) to have overseas-based investments, working/living arrangements and other entanglements over their lifetime. Accordingly, it is not surprising that in recent years DBA Lawyers has seen an increase in the number of matters we provide assistance on [read more]

Salary sacrifice amounts and SG changes

Salary sacrifice amounts and SG changes

From 1 January 2020 employers will also be required to provide superannuation guarantee (‘SG’) support on the amount of employee salary sacrificed contributions under salary sacrifice arrangements (‘SSA’). This article examines this change that was recently made by the Treasury Laws Amendment (2019 Tax Integrity and Other Measures No. 1) Act 2019 (Cth) (‘Act’), which [read more]

LRBAs — current tips and traps

LRBAs — current tips and traps

By William Fettes, Senior Associate ([email protected]), DBA Lawyers The limited recourse borrowing arrangement (‘LRBA’) lending market has undergone a significant shift in recent years, with most first-tier bank lenders withdrawing their LRBA offerings for purchasers of residential property. As a result, several smaller second-tier lenders have emerged to fill the void created by the departure [read more]

Puzzled businessman and a split blackboard with arrows going in two different ways red and blue side. Correct choice between left and right, failure or success. Difficult decision and doubt concept.

Reconciling inconsistencies between reversionary pension nominations and BDBNs

By William Fettes ([email protected]), Senior Associate and Daniel Butler ([email protected]), Director, DBA Lawyers Under the ATO view set out in TR 2013/5, a member’s pension ceases for tax law purposes on their death unless an eligible dependant is automatically entitled to receive the pension as a reversionary beneficiary. A nomination will broadly fail to satisfy [read more]

DBA Lawyers’ Annual Update Service for SMSF deeds

By William Fettes,Senior Associate,([email protected]), DBA Lawyers The website for DBA Lawyers’ Annual Update Service has been updated with a number of improvements for subscribers, including a fully integrated user experience for those clients who are registered with DBA Online— our online ordering platform. This article sets out the numerous benefits and features of the service [read more]