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Your guide to an SMSF exit plan

SMSF Succession Planning — Part 3 — Tax Considerations and Exit Planning

This article is part of a series on SMSF succession planning. In Part 2, we explored the important role of binding death benefit nominations (BDBNs). In Part 3, we examine tax considerations for superannuation death benefits, as well as planning options for arranging a timely payment of benefits to the member before their death.   [read more]

Close-up Of Married Couple Signing Papers Alongside With Other W

SMSF Succession Planning — Part 2 — The Role of Binding Death Benefit Nominations

This article is part of a series on SMSF succession planning. In Part 1, we explored the key elements of a robust SMSF succession plan with a particular focus on planning for loss of capacity or death. In Part 2, we focus on the important role of binding death benefit nominations (BDBNs). What is a [read more]

Legal document Independent Contractor Agreement on paper close up.

Employee or contractor — ATO common myths – Part 10

This is part 10 of our series of ‘employee versus contractor’ articles. Part 10 focuses on recently updated guidance from the ATO regarding 12 common myths that result in engaging entities incorrectly classifying an employee as a contractor or vice versa. The webpage (QC 33185) can be found here. The other articles (parts 1-9) are linked [read more]

hand-savings

NALI/E – urgent fix still needed

The non-arm’s length income (NALI) provisions contained in s 295-550 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) continue to be a divisive topic, with recent non-arm’s length expense (NALE) changes providing some welcome relief while also highlighting the urgent need for further legislative change for specific NALI and the capital gains tax (CGT) [read more]

Close-up of married couple signing papers alongside with other witness or agent - can be divorce, law, liability, evidence agreement for marriage

What should an adviser actually want: for BDBN to override pension docs, or vice versa?

The High Court in Hill v Zuda held that ‘reg 6.17A has no application to an SMSF.’ Accordingly, SMSF deeds have a great deal of flexibility as to what they do and do not allow. If they are so drafted, SMSF deeds can allow BDBNs that can override any inconsistent pension documentation. This then begs the question: [read more]

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SMSF Succession Planning — Part 1 — Getting Started on Planning for Control

This article is the first in a series on SMSF succession planning. In Part 1, we examine the key characteristics of a sound SMSF succession plan including in relation to planning for control of the fund to pass into trusted hands in the event of a member’s death or loss of capacity. Introduction For many [read more]

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Advantages of ordering unit trusts from DBA Lawyers

DBA Lawyers has always focused on providing quality documents and service instead of competing with other document suppliers on price. As lawyers advising on unit trust investments, we better understand the needs and risks inherent in such transactions and develop our documents based on this experience. We often advise clients who have not obtained appropriate [read more]

Close up of typewriter and Deed of trust

Failure to transfer title after a change of trustee requires judicial advice

In the matter of Absolute Vision Technologies Pty Ltd (subject to deed of company administration) [2024] NSWSC 1010 where a prior self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) trustee had failed to transfer title to a new trustee, a court order (more accurately speaking, ‘judicial advice’) was required to sell an asset to transfer the proceeds to [read more]

What is a reversionary pension?

New hope to exit legacy pensions

Yesterday, Treasury released exposure draft regulations to allow people to exit certain legacy pensions. This expands on and supports implementation of the 2021–22 Budget measure to allow exiting certain legacy retirement products. For some this will be highly welcome news! In the next SMSF Online Update, Bryce Figot will unpack these regulations in detail, discussing: [read more]