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Watch out for extra transfer duty on property investments via a company or unit trust

Overview Structuring property investments via a company or unit trust may give rise to landholder duty for non-related investors as highlighted in Oliver Hume Property Funds (Broad Gully Rd) Diamond Creek Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue (Review and Regulation) [2023] VCAT 634. This decision resulted in an additional $151,235 of duty plus interest [read more]

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How the NALI provisions and the CGT provisions interact: draft ATO determination provides important guidance (TD 2023/D1)

There has been uncertainty as to how the following two provisions interact: (1) the non-arm’s length income (NALI) provisions in s 295‑550 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth) (ITAA 1997); and (2) the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) provisions in s 102‑5 of the ITAA 1997. The ATO has recently released Draft Taxation Determination TD 2023/D1. [read more]

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New SMSF case demonstrates how not to have non-arm’s length income

A recent AAT decision illustrates the sorts of evidence that might be necessary in order for an SMSF to not have non-arm’s length income (NALI). Accordingly, advisers working with SMSFs should pay close attention to this decision and the evidence that an SMSF should collect and retain. The decision is BPFN and Commissioner of Taxation [read more]

Street Sign the Direction Way to Pleasant versus Nasty

Are invoices an SMSF or personal expense and will NALE or a contribution arise?

SMSF trustees must only pay expenses that belong to the fund’s activities. They should not pay expenses for anyone else. Conversely, SMSF trustees and members must not pay an invoice (outside of the fund) if the expense is properly payable by the fund. Moreover, some invoices need to be split between the SMSF and another [read more]

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Federal Court confirms AFCA award of $270,000 against a financial adviser for investment loss is a debt due and payable

The Federal Court of Australia held that a self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) could recover the amount of an Australian Financial Complains Authority (AFCA) determination relating to a compensation claim against a financial adviser for an investment loss. This article focuses on SMSF trustees rights to complain and seek compensation via AFCA for inappropriate financial [read more]

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

Penalties on SMSF trustees to increase substantially, so definitely time to change to a corporate trustee

Introduction With the penalty unit increasing from $275 to $313 from 1 July 2023, SMSFs need to be extremely careful as this results in most administrative penalties increasing from $16,500 (ie, 60 penalty units x $275) to $18,780 (ie, 60 penalty units x $313). This article discusses administrative penalties under s 166 of the Superannuation Industry [read more]

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ATO checklist for trust distributions

Overview The taxation and administration of trusts continues to be an area of development. The Commissioner’s application of long forgotten tax provisions (in form of s 100A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth) (ITAA 1936)), and recent court cases extending the obligations of trustees to consider beneficiaries (in form of Re Owies Family Trust [2020] [read more]

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SMSFs and voluntary disclosure to the ATO

This article provides important background context on why SMSF trustees may wish to consider using the ATO’s early engagement and voluntary disclosure service to notify the ATO regarding contraventions of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SISA) or Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 (SISR). There are significant advantages that can result from making a voluntary [read more]

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What to do if a company’s constitution is lost?

All is not ‘lost’ if a company’s constitution cannot be located. There are several methods to address the situation. The most appropriate method will depend on several factors including what evidence can be located. Where to start looking Naturally, exhaustive searches should be undertaken of current and prior advisers (including accountants, financial planners and lawyers), [read more]