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FSI final report recommends banning borrowings — but a window of opportunity exists

FSI final report recommends banning borrowings — but a window of opportunity exists!

The Financial System Inquiry’s final report — chaired by David Murray — was recently released. As expected, it has recommended that limited recourse borrowing arrangements (‘LRBAs’) in superannuation funds be banned. This gives rise to a certain window of opportunity. What the FSI final report actually said The final report recommended that the government: Remove [read more]

LRBAs-and-related-party-leases

LRBAs and related party leases: what you need to know

A common strategy implemented by business clients is to acquire business real property (usually the premises from which their business is run) via their SMSF and then lease this property to a related party. Borrowings are often used to finance the acquisition. The above is typically a standard transaction. However, where the complexity arises [read more]

Unwinding-an-SMSF-limited-recourse-borrowing-arrangement

Unwinding an SMSF limited recourse borrowing arrangement

As certain SMSF limited recourse borrowing arrangements reach completion, many are unsure how the arrangement should finish. There are a number of steps involved in weighing up options and strategy, as well as in documenting and carrying out the process. Note that this article deals with the situation of where a borrowing has been [read more]

SMSFs-buying-overseas-property

SMSFs buying overseas property – tips & traps

Introduction Overseas property investment may appear attractive to many; such as an investment in an apartment in Paris, a Balinese beachfront villa, or a ski chalet in Colorado. However, when an SMSF is the purchaser there are a number of compliance tips and traps to navigate. SMSF trustees can purchase property either by an outright [read more]

New-law-gives-SMSF-borrowing-trusts-breathing-space

New law gives SMSF borrowing trusts breathing space

Until 4 April this year, SMSF trustees with limited recourse borrowings that were ending were faced with a problem. With the loan paid off, there was the prospect of being forced to transfer the asset to the SMSF trustee. The fear had been that to keep the asset inside the trust would give rise to [read more]

nil interest SMSF loan

New ATO materials suggest non-arm’s length LRBAs = huge tax bill!

Recent ATO materials suggest non-arm’s length limited recourse borrowing arrangements will give rise to huge tax problems. More specifically, the materials suggest income derived can be non-arm’s length income (ie, taxed at 45%) where the LRBA favours the SMSF. This could come as a shock as many have incorrectly said the ATO has previously ‘green [read more]

lecturing-melbourne-university

Lecturing at Melbourne University — handout available

Since 2010 I’ve been lecturing at Melbourne University, presenting the SMSF component of the Master of Laws subject ‘Superannuation Law‘. Melbourne University is my ‘alma mater’. I fully enjoyed studying there for my undergraduate degrees and masters degree and I’m always very happy to be able to give back to the legal community. I’m lecturing [read more]

If this fridge is also listed in the contract, it could cause a problem

Trap for SMSF borrowings — chattels, goods, LRBAs and SMSFR 2012/1!

A regulated super fund trustee can borrow, but only subject to very prescriptive rules. One such rule is that each ‘single’ asset must be purchased with a separate limited recourse borrowing arrangement. (See, among other things, SMSFR 2012/1.) Accordingly, if a super fund trustee wants to borrow to buy two assets, this might well be [read more]