Minimum pension payments for the current financial year (ie, FY2020) and next financial year (FY2021) have been halved. This measure addresses concerns of the current market volatility and aims to provide SMSF trustees with discretion and flexibility to better manage their cash flows and retain assets that may have substantially decreased in value in recent [read more]
SMSFs that own property are facing the prospect of tenants falling behind in their rent payments and their other obligations under the lease due to the economic stress arising from COVID-19. Australian states and territories will put a six-month moratorium on evictions for both residential and commercial tenants during the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Scott [read more]
Background There are several methods that a member can to access their superannuation ‘legitimately’ before retirement. Lately, advisers, self managed superannuation fund (‘SMSF’) trustees and members are very keen to learn more on this topic given the financial stress caused by the recent bushfires, floods, COVID-19 pandemic and reduced business/economic activity. Further, the Australian Taxation [read more]
The consequences of an SMSF failing the residency rules can be automatic non-complying status. This will broadly mean the entire amount of the SMSF’s assets, less non-concessional contributions, are taxed at 45% in the year of non-compliance (47% during temporary budget repair levy financial years of 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17). The result of this is [read more]
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]
There is a little known rule that can have huge implications for SMSFs, particularly when it comes to reversionary pensions. This article provides the crucial ‘must know’ details. What is a ‘reversionary pension’? The ATO describes a reversionary pension as follows, without actually using the term ‘reversionary’ (Taxation Ruling TR 2013/5 [29]): A superannuation income [read more]
Overview Draft Law Companion Ruling LCR 2019/D3 (‘LCR’) covers the ATO views on how the amendments to s 295-550 (of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth)) operate where parties to a scheme do not deal with each other at arm’s length and an SMSF incurs non-arm’s length expenditure in gaining or producing assessable income. Broadly, [read more]
Overview Recently the ATO released draft Law Companion Ruling 2019/D3 (‘LCR’) on the newly passed non-arm’s length income (‘NALI’) amendments to s 295-550 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth) (‘ITAA 1997’). One key criticism of the draft LCR is the breadth of the ATO’s view in relation to the ‘nexus’ that is required between [read more]
Overview Draft Law Companion Ruling LCR 2019/D3 contains a very draconic application of the newly amended non-arm’s length income (‘NALI’) and expenditure (‘NALE’) provisions in ss 295-550(1)(b) and 295-550(1)(c) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth) (‘ITAA 1997’). Advisers must be aware of this application. However, it should be noted that there is considerable opposition [read more]
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]
