Are all your SMSF eggs in one basket?
Read why the investment strategies of Self Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) are under scrutiny with the ATO contacting 17,700 trustees about a lack of asset diversity.
Who owns the assets of a trust?
Recent case highlights some of the trust tax problems that can occur It’s not uncommon for people to put assets such as their family home into a trust, particularly professionals working in litigious fields or family groups wanting to protect assets. The taxpayer, in this case, had become the owner of their main residence as…
Tax time: your Trust in the ATO’s sights
Timing of resolutions of your Trust Trustees (or directors of a trustee company) need to consider and decide on the distributions they plan to make by 30 June 2019 at the latest (the trust deed may actually require this to be done earlier). Decisions made by the trustees should be documented in writing, preferably by…
Superannuation transfer balance cap
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…
Accessing super on compassionate grounds
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…
When can you take your super?
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…