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]
In certain cases, members can claim a deduction for personal contributions made to a superannuation fund. In order to claim this deduction, it is essential that the appropriate paperwork is in place. However, there is a trap that many unknowingly trigger, rendering many personal contribution deductions invalid! Background Section 290-150 of the Income Tax Assessment [read more]
True to its word, on 10 October 2014 the Government introduced draft legislation, which proposes practical and long-awaited changes to the treatment of excess non-concessional contributions (‘NCCs’). This article outlines the tips and traps associated with the proposed changes. Details of the draft legislation The draft legislation takes the form of the Tax and Superannuation [read more]
The latest official word on the status of excess non-concessional contributions was a positive one, but caution is still needed. The latest official word The ATO published on Friday 26 September 2014 the official minutes of the most recent Individual Taxpayer Liaison Group Minutes. In it the ATO stated: Under the new measure for non-concessional [read more]
Superannuation funds Regulated superannuation funds (ie, both APRA funds and SMSFs) must plan when they will become ready to receive contributions and data in the new SuperStream electronic standard. Originally this date was 1 July 2014, however this is now the voluntary induction date for funds and employers. There have been a number of extensions [read more]
Overview There have been two recent decisions in which taxpayers have won the independent contractor argument in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (‘AAT’). Naturally, if the contractor is an employee, then the PAYG withholding and superannuation guarantee obligations fall on the employer (head contractor). Moreover, other obligations such as those under state and territory legislation regarding [read more]
Overview This article provides a brief summary of the excess contributions tax (‘ECT’) regime. It also summarises the latest developments including the May 2014 Federal Budget announcement, the latest statistical information and covers several key recommendations made by the Inspector-General of Taxation (‘IGT’). Brief summary The ECT regime was introduced in July 2007 as a [read more]
Comedian George Burns continued to work until shortly before his death, in 1996, at the age of 100. Presumably he was working for love and not money. Certainly he was not working for super, because he could not have had contributions made to his fund under the legislation that then existed. That has been the [read more]
By Daniel Butler, Director, and Bryce Figot, Director, both of DBA Lawyers The ATO has confirmed that contribution reserving is a viable strategy. The ATO has issued an interpretative decision (‘ID’) ATO ID 2012/16 relating to contribution reserving up to 30 June 2013 and a tax determination (‘TD’) TD 2013/22 in respect of contributions made [read more]
In taxation ruling TR 2010/1 the ATO consider what is a contribution to a superannuation fund and when a contribution is made. A recent court case, Liwszyc v Commissioner of Taxation [2014] FCA 112, answers the question of whether the ATO actually got it right in TR 2010/1. Liwszyc v Commissioner of Taxation also contains [read more]
