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SMSFs buying overseas property – tips & traps

Overseas property may appear as an attractive investment on the surface. However, when an SMSF is the purchaser there are several compliance traps for trustees to navigate. SMSF trustees can purchase property either outright with SMSF funds or via a limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA). To illustrate the potential risks involved, each of these types [read more]

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SMSF Staff Discount Policy –– do you have one?

DBA Lawyers is pleased to announce our SMSF Staff Discount Policy. We have been assisting many firms in relation to documenting an appropriate SMSF staff discount policy and providing training in relation to managing non-arm’s length income (NALI) and non-arm’s length expenditure (NALE) issues. For a recent webinar outlining the issues relating to SMSF discount [read more]

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ASIC takes action against a number of approved SMSF auditors

ASIC recently took action against a number of approved SMSF auditors. ASIC felt that the  approved SMSF auditors’ conduct did not meet the required standards and the action taken by ASIC included: disqualifying some auditors; imposing additional conditions on some approved SMSF auditors ; and cancelling the registration of other approved SMSF auditors. For more [read more]

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New decision highlights options for disqualified persons: Barry, in the matter of an application by Barry [2024] FCA 13

In an urgent matter brought to Shariff J as the vacation duty judge this January, the risks to SMSF compliance, where all members of the fund become disqualified persons, were on full display with orders needing to be granted simply to allow the disqualified members to act to wind up the fund. The case, Barry, in [read more]

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New ATO guidance on employee/contractor distinction – Part 6

The ATO has recently released TR 2023/4 – Income tax: pay as you go withholding – who is an employee? (Ruling), as well as Practical Compliance Guideline 2023/2 (PCG) to provide additional guidance in respect of the distinction between an employee and independent contractor. This is part 6 of our series of articles focusing on [read more]

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Latest AAT decision on regulation of approved SMSF auditors

Introduction Mr H was an approved SMSF auditor. However, in 2023 ASIC disqualified him from being an approved SMSF auditor. He applied for the AAT to review ASIC’s decision to disqualify him. The AAT recently handed down the outcome of that application. DBA Lawyers do a lot of work with approved SMSF auditors. Accordingly, we [read more]

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SMSF succession

For many Australians, superannuation is a significant asset especially if a self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) is involved. However, despite this, many do not plan ahead for what happens to their superannuation upon their loss of capacity or death. We recommend that every SMSF member should develop a succession plan to ensure there is a [read more]

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Payroll tax crackdown on medical, healthcare and similar arrangements — Part 5

Overview We have previously issued four prior articles linked to this series focusing on the employee versus contractor distinction. In our article ‘Employee or contractor — Payroll Tax considerations — Part 3’ dated 30 September 2022 (DBA Payroll Tax Article – Part 3) we provided a top-level summary of how the payroll tax regime   applies [read more]

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Latest AAT decision on regulation of approved SMSF auditors: Townshend and ASIC

Ms Janette Townshend was an approved SMSF auditor. However, in 2022 ASIC disqualified her. She applied for the AAT to review ASIC’s decision to disqualify her. The AAT recently handed down the outcome of that application. I do a lot of work with approved SMSF auditors. Accordingly, I read the decision with great interest. Here [read more]

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SMSF Succession Diagnostic Service

Many SMSF members do not plan ahead in relation to what is to happen with their superannuation upon loss of capacity, death or other relevant life events. Indeed, in DBA Lawyers’ experience, a considerable proportion of SMSFs have outdated, inappropriate or no succession plans in place. Unfortunately, such lack of planning can give rise to [read more]