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Changes to terminal medical condition

Changes to terminal medical condition

There have been recent changes to the definition of terminal medical condition. This affects both super and tax law. In short, it provides more flexibility to those are going to die shortly. Background Before 2008, having a terminal medical condition was not a condition of release. Under the early release provisions that existed before then, [read more]

QROPS UK changes impact SMSFs deeds

QROPS UK changes impact SMSFs deeds

The United Kingdom (‘UK’) tax authority, HM Revenue & Customs (‘HMRC’), has recently notified superannuation funds in Australia (including SMSFs) that are registered as Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) of new UK regulations that apply from 6 April 2015. Broadly, the new UK regulations require, among other things, that the fund rules do not [read more]

Ability to order online … save time with no compromise on quality

Ability to order online … save time with no compromise on quality

You can now order SMSF, company, trust and related documentation online. To register visit https://online.dbalawyers.com.au/login Benefits When you use https://online.dbalawyers.com.au/login you enjoy many benefits, including: No need to enter the same data twice — there are many time-saving options to copy names and addresses Addresses pre-empted as you type Verifies with ASIC availability of proposed [read more]

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2015 SMSF Association National Conference

I presented at the 2015 SMSF Association 2015 National Conference on 18 February 2015. It was a great conference and the SMSF Association should be congratulated. My seminar covered various methods of providing for children and future generations both via superannuation (including SMSFs) and outside of super via companies, trusts and other methods. In particular, [read more]

Can death benefits be paid by journal entry

Can death benefits be paid by journal entry? The ATO releases ATO ID 2015/2 and ATO ID 2015/3

Many have wanted to pay superannuation benefits — particularly death benefits — by way of mere journal entry. The ATO have clarified their position in this regard by publishing two interpretive decisions on Friday, namely, ATO Interpretive Decision ATO ID 2015/2 and ATO Interpretive Decision ATO ID 2015/3. The facts Each of ATO ID 2015/2 [read more]

Draft legislation released: limited recourse borrowing arrangements

Draft legislation released: limited recourse borrowing arrangements

Treasury released draft legislation today that will impact limited recourse borrowing arrangements. We consider the major changes for SMSFs and limited recourse borrowing arrangements. Background Naturally, in order for a trustee of a superannuation fund to be allowed to borrow, the asset must be held on trust for the trustee of the superannuation fund. To [read more]

More ATO guidance for related party limited recourse borrowing arrangements

More ATO guidance for related party limited recourse borrowing arrangements

The ATO has just released more guidance for limited recourse borrowing arrangements (‘LRBAs’). This guidance is in addition to last week’s ATO ID 2014/39 and ATO ID 2014/40. Although this new guidance is ostensibly aimed at ‘non-commercial’ LRBAs, it should also be very relevant when setting the terms of any related party LRBA loan agreement. [read more]

FSI final report recommends banning borrowings — but a window of opportunity exists

FSI final report recommends banning borrowings — but a window of opportunity exists!

The Financial System Inquiry’s final report — chaired by David Murray — was recently released. As expected, it has recommended that limited recourse borrowing arrangements (‘LRBAs’) in superannuation funds be banned. This gives rise to a certain window of opportunity. What the FSI final report actually said The final report recommended that the government: Remove [read more]

New-ATO-view-on-cross-insurance-within-an-SMSF

New ATO view on cross-insurance within an SMSF!

There has been much conjecture as to whether a self managed superannuation fund (‘SMSF’) trustee can implement a cross-insurance strategy after 1 July 2014. The ATO recently addressed this question; which is discussed below. However before discussing the ATO’s view, we begin by briefly discussing what cross-insurance is. What is cross-insurance in an SMSF context? [read more]