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Civil penalty orders imposed on SMSF trustees

Civil penalty orders imposed on SMSF trustees

By on 09/11/2020 in ATO, SMSF compliance, Trustee education

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]

PS LA 2020/3 — how the ATO applies administrative penalties on SMSF trustees/directors

PS LA 2020/3 — how the ATO applies administrative penalties on SMSF trustees/directors

By on 02/11/2020 in Announcements, ATO, Audit, Taxation, Trustee education

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

An important reminder on excess contributions: Purcell and Commissioner of Taxation [2020] AATA 4235

By on 02/11/2020 in ATO, Contributions, SMSF cases & decisions, Taxation, Trustee education

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]

PCG 2020/6 & recap on timing of contributions

PCG 2020/6 & recap on timing of contributions

By on 30/09/2020 in Announcements, ATO, Contributions, Taxation

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]

Six member SMSFs –– the pros and cons

Six member SMSFs –– the pros and cons

By on 28/09/2020 in Announcements, ATO, Federal Budget, Investments, SMSF compliance, SMSF deeds, SMSF strategy, Statistics, Succession planning, Taxation, Trustee education

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]

Managing TBC & minimising excess transfer balance tax

Managing TBC & excess transfer balance tax

By on 07/09/2020 in ATO, Pensions, SMSF compliance, SMSF strategy, Succession planning, Taxation

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]

The best time for an SMSF to make a voluntary disclosure to the ATO is now

The best time for an SMSF to make a voluntary disclosure to the ATO is now

By on 31/08/2020 in Announcements, ATO, Audit, Taxation, Trustee education

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]

SG amnesty –– 7 September 2020 deadline

SG amnesty –– 7 September 2020 deadline

By on 31/08/2020 in ATO, Contributions, SMSF compliance, Succession planning, Taxation

Background The Superannuation Guarantee (‘SG’) amnesty was introduced as law on 6 March 2020 by the Treasury Laws Amendment (Recovering Unpaid Superannuation) Act 2020 (Cth) and the deadline of 7 September 2020 is near. The amnesty enables ‘employers’ to rectify any shortfall and related amounts under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth) (‘SGAA’) for [read more]

Draft determination provides in-house asset exclusion for SMSFs providing rent deferrals

Draft determination provides in-house asset exclusion for SMSFs providing rent deferrals

By on 17/08/2020 in Announcements, ATO, Audit, Investments, SMSF compliance, SMSF strategy, Trustee education

On 3 August 2020 the ATO released draft legislative instrument Self Managed Superannuation Funds (COVID-19 Rental income deferrals – In-house Asset Exclusion) Determination 2020 for industry consultation. The determination is intended to protect SMSF trustees from adverse compliance problems under the in-house asset rules where, due to COVID-19, a rent deferral arrangement has been put [read more]

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

By on 05/08/2020 in ATO, Pensions, SMSF compliance, SMSF strategy, Succession planning, Taxation

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]