The United States private rental apartment sector was providing investors with twice the rental yield and less associated risk compared to the Australian investment apartment sector, according to global investment manager Spire Capital. Spire Capital said it had invested in a $5 billion portfolio of private rent seniors housing and multifamily apartment communities, demonstrating “stabilised […]

The proposed reduction in the concessional superannuation contributions caps could have flow-on consequences for SMSF trustees in regard to risk cover if that type of insurance is currently held within the fund, a retirement savings legal expert has warned. “That $25,000 cap going forward has got to have 15 per cent tax taken off it, […]

SuperConcepts has launched its first education initiative for trustees via an online education course, which will help simplify the way trustees learn about the requirements and responsibilities of running their SMSF. Although specifically designed for SMSF trustees who receive an ATO education direction, the course is also available to anyone who wants to learn more […]

Active small-cap funds continued to experience a strong year compared to the index despite dropping significantly from double-digit growth in previous years, research house Zenith Investment Partners’ sector review showed. Zenith’s “2016 Australian Shares Small Companies Sector Review” revealed over the past 12 months, the active small-cap funds on Zenith’s approved product list outperformed the […]

SMSFs with multiple pensions must use extra caution when it comes to which pension to roll back and the order under the proposed $1.6 million transfer balance cap requirements. “We have a few issues there,” Heffron SMSF Solutions technical services manager Leigh Mansell said. “If you think about this example of two members in the […]

The ATO has extended the time period SMSF trustees have to comply with the new safe harbour guidelines governing non-bank limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBA). Trustees will now have an additional seven months to comply with the new safe harbour guidelines and potentially avoid paying 47 per cent tax on the income generated from non-bank […]

Impressive Australian initial public offering (IPO) returns in May pointed to a strong IPO market for 2016, according to OnMarket BookBuilds.  According to the stock market listings and placements platform’s “April/May IPO Report 2016”, during the month of May, companies listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) delivered strong gains of 9.4 per cent, following […]

The SMSF Owners’ Alliance, Self-managed Independent Superannuation Funds Association, Australian Shareholders’ Association and Australian Investors Association have written a joint letter to the federal government to highlight what they consider to be five major flaws in the proposed changes to super and request a post-election independent review of the calculations involved in the changes.

The ATO’s early engagement and voluntary disclosure service will now accept notifications from SMSF trustees and practitioners of unrectified regulatory contraventions. The service was made available for use on 31 May and will act as a centralised portal for SMSFs to notify the ATO of unrectified regulatory contraventions, and to facilitate early engagement and rectification. […]