News

financial advice, SMSF

More entrants can curb unadvised SMSFs

SMSF Self-managed super fund Financial Advice Association Australia FAAA Vanguard/Investment Trends SMSF Report financial advisers

SMSF trustees establishing funds without professional financial advice will continue as long as there is a shortage of practitioners in the field.

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Education, financial advice

Licensees to report experienced pathway users

Financial advisers Australian financial services licensees AFSL experienced provider pathway declaration

Licensees have been reminded they will have one month from 1 July to notify ASIC of any adviser who uses the experienced provider pathway.

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Compliance, Pensions, SMSF, Superannuation

TRIS payment penalties severe

transition to retirement income stream TRIS pension standards minimum drawdown maximum drawdown exempt current pension income SMSF Professionals Day 2024

Trustees who do not observe the minimum and maximum payment thresholds for a non-retirement-phase TRIS will be subject to harsh penalties.

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Compliance, Contributions, Tax

Contribution deduction can’t outweigh income

Contribution Deduction ATO Assessable income Non-concessional contribution

Trustees must ensure they have enough assessable income to offset a contribution deduction to avoid the risk of a compliance breach that will incur additional tax liabilities.

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ATO, Auditing, SMSF

ATO updates SMSF auditor’s report

ATO SMSF independent auditors report ASQM1 ASQC1 SMSF auditors

The SMSF independent auditor’s report has been updated, reflecting changes to audit standards that came into effect in late 2022.

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financial advice

Financial abuse protocols needed

FAAA Financial Advice Association Australia Financial abuse reporting

The processes for financial advisers to report suspected financial abuse are unclear, with some current laws preventing appropriate action taking place.

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AFCA, BDBNs, Superannuation

Federal court upholds BDBN decision

Corbisieri Nguyen BDBN AFCA Nguyen v Australian Financial Complaints Authority [2024] FCAFC 77 Federal Court

The Federal Court has ruled a suicide note sent via text message was not sufficient to terminate a relationship for the purposes of a binding death benefit nomination.

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Death benefits, Estate Planning

Death benefits to estate can help keep assets

IFPA super death benefit estate planning SMSF tax

Paying a super death benefit to a member’s estate can reduce the tax bill a beneficiary may receive and assist them in retaining specific assets from the fund.

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LRBA

Marginal rise for safe harbour rates

LRBA Related-party loans Interest rates

The safe harbour interest rates for related-party loans under an LRBA have increased slightly for the next financial year, avoiding the sharp rise of 12 months ago.

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financial advice, SMSFA

Adviser references need specificity

Licensed advisers SMSF Association Unlicensed operators Advisers

A call has been made for financial services stakeholders to properly acknowledge the difference between licensed advisers and illegal operators.

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