Naturally, it is always important for an SMSF to comply with the various laws that govern it. However, I thought this might be a good opportunity to reflect on the latest updates on the compliance landscape. Penalties have increased It was big news when the ATO was granted the right to unilaterally impose monetary penalties [read more]
Ever since TD 2013/22 and ATO ID 2012/16 many have considered contribution reserving to be a ‘lay down misere’. However, there are various possible difficulties practitioners must be aware of. The ATO has recently addressed one of these difficulties by releasing the new ATO form ‘Request to adjust concessional contributions’ (NAT 74851). This form notifies [read more]
Certain events can disqualify a person from being allowed to have an SMSF. One such event is conviction of an offence in respect of dishonest conduct (see s 120(1)(a)(i) of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) (‘SISA’)). However, it can be possible to have a disqualification waived under s 126D of the SISA. The [read more]
An SMSF trustee is required to reject contributions in certain circumstances. This rejection rule can prove very helpful for overcoming an excess non-concessional contribution (‘NCC’). Advisers must be aware of how this rule works if they seek to rely on it. Fund-capped contributions can be rejected Regulation 7.04(3) of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 [read more]
Most of us are aware that superannuation benefits can be paid out on retirement (ie, after attaining your preservation age), as well as on suffering permanent incapacity and on death. However, many are not aware that our super savings can also provide some welcome relief on suffering temporary incapacity. Those that suffer temporary incapacity can [read more]
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]
Generally, a pension must be paid in cash. However, not every SMSF has ready cash to satisfy the minimum. Thus, it provides much needed flexibility when a pension can be satisfied in kind, eg, by way of an off-market transfer of listed securities, to ensure the pension exemption can continue and the minimum annual payment [read more]
The recent decision of Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Lyons [2014] FCA 1353 provides various insights for self managed superannuation fund trustees, as explained in this article. Facts of decision On 6 June 2008, the Lyons Family Superannuation Fund (‘Fund’) was registered as a self managed superannuation fund. At all relevant times, Mr Lyons and [read more]
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]
Two ATO Interpretive Decisions (ie, ATO ID 2014/39 and ATO ID 2014/40 both published on 12 December 2014) address the question: Will ordinary or statutory income derived by an SMSF under a limited recourse borrowing arrangement (‘LRBA’) be non-arm’s length income (‘NALI’) of the fund pursuant to s 295-550 of the Income Tax Act Assessment [read more]
