News

ATO, Superannuation

Good behaviour will not cancel penalties

good behaviour SMSF penalties

The ATO will look favourably on well-behaved SMSF trustees, but they should not expect to get off scot-free when breaches occur, an SMSF expert has warned.

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ATO, Superannuation

ATO prevents illegal access to $126m

ATO illegal access SMSFs

The ATO’s front-door compliance program for SMSFs prevented illegal access to over $126 million in retirement savings during the 2020 financial year.

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FASEA

FASEA code guidance unclear for advisers

FASEA code ethics guidance

A third guidance document on the FASEA code of ethics has only added to confusion and shown the need for a drastic rewrite of the standards, two associations have claimed.

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Superannuation

SMSFA optimistic about fund member bill

six member SMSFs

The SMSF Association is confident the bill increasing the maximum number of SMSF members from four to six will be passed.

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Strategy

Indexation pause for bring forward contributions

Indexation bring forward contributions

Advisers looking at a bring forward strategy for clients may want to wait until possible indexation changes have been applied.

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Documentation

Backdating concerns may be unfounded

SMSF document backdating

Advisers may be too concerned about backdating and being in breach of the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority’s Code of Ethics, an SMSF technical expert says.

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Insurance

Correct insurance transfers a must

SMSF life insurance transfer

Any transfers of risk insurance from an individual to an SMSF must be legitimate due to the severity of penalties resulting from breaches related to these transactions.

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Superannuation

Senate committee green-lights expanded funds

six members SMSFs

A Senate committee has recommended SMSFs be allowed to accommodate six members, but dissenting senators called for greater regulation around SMSF advice.

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Accounting, Tax

Accounting method not Part IVA

Accounting method Part IVA

A technical manager has allayed adviser fears over the use of tax-effect accounting in an SMSF being captured under Part IVA provisions of the Income Tax Assessment Act.

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ATO, Compliance

Proactive measures will appeal to ATO

proactive SMSF trustee

A willingness to self-correct SMSF trustee breaches, alongside a clean track record, will be well regarded by the ATO, an SMSF legal firm has advised.

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