The recent NSW Supreme Court decision of van Camp v Bellahealth Pty Ltd [2024] NSWSC 7 (22 January 2024) (van Camp v Bellahealth) provides important lessons for advisers when considering a person’s capacity to make a BDBN. It also reinforces the value of keeping good records and file notes. Facts Dr Nespolon was the sole [read more]
What an SMSF should do after paying out an LRBA loan
Upon completion of the repayment of a loan utilised for a limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA) within a self managed superannuation fund (SMSF), a key decision faces each SMSF trustee: does the bare trustee transfer the property back to the SMSF trustee; or does the bare-trustee continue to hold the legal title to the property? [read more]
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]
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]
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]
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 Indeed, in DBA Lawyers’ experience, a considerable proportion of SMSFs have outdated, inappropriate or no succession plans in place.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]
Change of SMSF trustees can easily be messed up
This article examines some of the key issues that can arise when change of trustee documents are not properly completed, and by the right people using quality document suppliers. What happens if a change of trustee is not properly completed? A change of trustee requires compliance with the provisions in the fund’s governing rules and [read more]
Lost deed case – Lawyer gives expert evidence on likely terms of missing trust deed
The case of Northgate Park v Floyd [2022] VSC 783 (Northgate Park) provides an interesting development in how courts may approach the issue of a lost trust deed. Northgate Park represents a less strict approach to determining the terms of a trust where a deed is lost. Facts Northgate Park resulted out of other litigation [read more]
Re Rentis Pty Ltd [2023] QSC 252 — Court considers attorney power to ‘renew’ a BDBN
The case of Re Rentis Pty Ltd [2023] QSC 252 (Re Rentis) provides a helpful interpretation of an attorney’s powers to make a binding death benefit nomination (BDBN). This case examines the meaning of a term often found in enduring powers of attorney (EPA) and provides an expansive view of an attorney’s powers to make [read more]
University of Adelaide Report highlights numerous concerns with taxing $3M+ member super balances
A recent report by University of Adelaide’s International Centre for Financial Services (Report), issued in October 2023, has raised numerous concerns on the proposed new Division 296 tax. The proposed 15% tax on taxable superannuation earnings on superannuation fund member’s with more than $3 million in total superannuation balance (TSB) is set to commence from [read more]