Introduction There are a considerable number of SMSFs that invest in private unit trusts. These unit trusts may include pre-99 unit trusts, unrelated unit trusts and non-geared unit trusts (under div 13.3A of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 (Cth) (SISR)). The ATO’s draft Law Companion Ruling 2019/D3 (Draft LCR) outlines, among other things, the [read more]
Overview Broadly, SMSF trustees may assume that, in any related party dealing, NALI will apply unless they can prove otherwise given the ATO may issue an assessment and place the burden on the SMSF trustee to prove that it is excessive. One key criticism of the draft Law Companion Ruling 2019/D3 (the draft LCR) is [read more]
Overview There is an increasing number of SMSFs that invest in 50/50 unit trusts. That is an SMSF has a 50% interest in a unit trust with another unitholder holding the remaining 50% interest, which invariably is an unrelated SMSF. Our experience over the years has uncovered weaknesses in how many of these have been [read more]
This article considers a number of civil penalty orders that have been imposed by the courts on trustees of SMSFs that contravened the civil penalty provisions under s 193 of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) (‘SISA’). Background Substantial penalties can be imposed for contravening the following: the sole purpose test; lending or providing financial [read more]
Introduction The ATO recently published Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2020/3 to guide ATO staff on how to apply administrative penalties. This provides the methodology on how ATO case officers make determinations on imposing and remitting penalties for contraventions under s 166 of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) (‘SISA’). The ATO’s view is [read more]
![An important reminder on excess contributions: Purcell and Commissioner of Taxation [2020] AATA 4235](https://www.dbalawyers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/An-important-reminder-on-excess-contributions-Purcell-and-Commissioner-of-Taxation-2020-AATA-4235-200x200.jpg "An important reminder on excess contributions: Purcell and Commissioner of Taxation [2020] AATA 4235")
The recent AAT decision of Purcell and Commissioner of Taxation [2020] AATA 4235 serves as an important reminder when making superannuation contributions. Facts For the full decision, see http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/AATA//2020/4235.html. A summary of the fact is as follows. The AAT indicated that during the financial year ended 30 June 2018, Mrs Purcell had a non-concessional contributions [read more]
The ATO recently released Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2020/6. The guideline considers the timing of income tax deductions for superannuation contributions made through the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (‘SBSCH’) and the ATO’s compliance approach. However, it is also a timely reminder on when to make contributions more generally. Background to PCG 2020/6 The ATO’s [read more]
Overview The prospect of six member SMSFs has moved a step further when the Treasury Laws Amendment (Self-Managed Superannuation Funds) Bill 2020 (‘Bill’) was recently introduced into Parliament. If the Bill is finalised as law in November, the increase to the maximum allowable number of members for an SMSF could commence as early as 1 [read more]
Overview This article focuses on managing a member’s transfer balance cap (‘TBC’) with a view to minimising excess transfer balance tax (‘ETB Tax’). We provide a brief background to assist members and SMSF trustees to better monitor transfer balance caps (‘TBC’) so they can avoid or minimise ETB Tax. This article covers account-style pensions such [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]
