Deciding where to allocate your assets can be confusing and even daunting, particularly if you aren’t confident in your knowledge of the current financial sphere. Consider the following in’s and out’s of asset allocation to make the process much easier: Set goals Goal-setting is extremely important, particularly when it comes to your money. When deciding…
No matter the kind of superfund you opt for, you will be subject to super fees. Understanding how these fees work and the difference they can make to your next egg is vital. When it comes to superfund fees, there are two factors you need to get your head around; the kinds of fees you…
With much controversial discussion surrounding the First Home Super Saver Scheme, understanding exactly what the Scheme entails is necessary. The scheme was announced in the 2017-18 Federal Budget as a means to reduce the pressure surrounding housing affordability across Australia. The formalities of the scheme are as follows: As of 1 July 2017, individuals can…
Many Australians opt for a self-managed super fund but fail to understand how to truly make it perform optimally. If you have an SMSF and are serious about maximising your returns, consider the following: Risk Without taking risks, you won’t be able to experience great profit. However, there you still need to be cautious of…
The superannuation transfer balance caps have been problematic for SMSF members who don’t take careful consideration when succession planning. Failure to understand the impact of these transfer balance cap changes can have on your finances may force you to transfer large amounts of money out of your super. The transfer balance cap of $1.6 million…
Opting for a self-managed super fund (SMSF) can be a clever financial decision, but it’s not for everyone. If you aren’t prepared to adhere to the following tips, your SMSF will most likely fail to perform as well as you would of hoped it to. Stay informed You can’t expect your SMSF balance to be…
Superannuation funds in Australia have delivered a return of 10.5 per cent for 2017 – the first double-digit growth since 2013. According to recent findings, there was a 1.3 per cent rise in November 2017 and 0.6 per cent rise in December 2017 alone. The new figures mark the sixth consecutive year of positive returns…
The First Home Super Saver (FHSS) Scheme and the downsizing contributions into superannuation measures passed Parliament on 13 December 2017. As of 1 July 2017, individuals can make voluntary concessional and non-concessional contributions into their super fund as part of the FHSS Scheme. The scheme may help first home buyers save faster due to the…
The Australian Tax Office will start sending Excess Transfer Balance (ETB) Determinations from January 2018. ETB determinations will be sent to any individuals who have exceeded their transfer balance cap and have not taken any steps to correct this error. If you manage a SMSF and have exceeded the balance transfer cap by less than…
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) is cracking down on self-managed super funds (SMSFs) that have overdue SMSF annual returns, particularly those with two or more returns overdue. As part of its compliance action, the ATO is currently: – Cancelling approximately 9,000 ABNs of SMSFs that show no evidence of operating – Writing to SMSF trustees…