Client Alert – Protecting your super reforms from 1 July 2019 To protect the super balances of all Australians being eroded by unnecessary fees and costs, the Federal Government has introduced the “Protecting Your Super” reforms which passed parliament on 18 February 2019. This new legislation will apply from 1 July 2019. It includes cancelling insurance for inactive members,…
The 1 July changes From 1 July 2019, new laws prevent superannuation providers from eroding member balances with unwanted or unnecessary insurance and exit fees. Plus, inactive accounts with low balances will be moved to the ATO to try and unite the unclaimed super with its owner. These changes do not apply to self-managed superannuation…
Superannuation Superannuation ‘work test’ watered down & age limit for spouse contributions increased Date of effect 1 July 2020 As previously announced, from 1 July 2020, Australians aged 65 and 66 will be able to make voluntary superannuation contributions (concessional $25,000 p.a. and non-concessional $100,000 p.a.) without meeting the Work Test. Currently, voluntary contributions…
The implications of misclassifying a worker The implications of misclassifying a worker go well beyond industrial relations. If a business misclassifies an employee, it impacts on superannuation guarantee (SG), PAYG withholding, workers compensation and payroll tax. These entitlements will often need to be met even if the misclassification was a genuine mistake. For SG obligations,…
Super provides income for your workers in retirement Here’s how to run a quick check of your super obligations to make sure you’ve got everything sorted. 1. Check you’re paying super to all eligible workers. Some contractors may be entitled to super. 2. Check you’re paying the right amount. Currently, you…
Confusion reigns over superannuation transfer balance cap A recent speech by the ATO’s Assistant Commissioner for Superannuation demonstrates the very practical problems with the new superannuation rules. The $1.6 million transfer balance cap (TBC) that limits the amount you can hold in a superannuation pension requires trustees to be aware of how close they are…
First home buyers The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS) enables first-home buyers to save for a deposit inside their superannuation account, attracting the tax incentives and some of the earnings benefits of superannuation. Home savers can make voluntary concessional contributions (for example by salary sacrificing) or non-concessional contributions (voluntary after-tax contributions) of $15,000 a year within…
Compassionate grounds Superannuation benefits can be released on compassionate grounds to meet expenses related to medical treatment, medical transport, modifications necessary for the family home or motor vehicles due to severe disability and palliative care. Funds may also be released on compassionate grounds to prevent foreclosure of a mortgage or exercise of a power of…
The cash sitting in your super fund can be tempting, particularly if you are short of cash. But, the reality is there are very few ways you can take advantage of your superannuation once it has been contributed to the fund – even if you change your mind. The sole purpose test underpins access to…
What’s changing on 1 July 2018? Superannuation Event-based reporting for SMSFs – A new reporting regime commences for SMSFs. All SMSFs must report events that affect their members’ transfer balance accounts (for example, when an SMSF member first starts to receive a pension from their fund). Timeframes for reporting are determined by the total superannuation balances of the SMSF’s…