Dividend franking turns 30 in 2017. Despite this, many are unfamiliar with the benefits franking credits can bring, especially to SMSFs. SMSF trustees who invest in Australian shares can benefit from franking credit refunds which can offset the fund’s expenses, such as tax payable or any lump sums. A franking credit, also known as an…
The Australian Government has recently passed what it is calling the ‘most significant superannuation reforms in a decade’. The reforms include the introduction of a $1.6 million transfer balance cap, which places a limit on the amount an individual can transfer into the tax-free earnings retirement phase and the introduction of the Low Income Superannuation…
A mandatory component of managing a self-managed super fund (SMSF) is planning out what will happen to the fund if its trustee was to pass away. While succession planning may not be one of the first responsibilities that comes to mind when managing an SMSF, it is a necessity that can provide certainty and peace…
A re-contribution strategy involves withdrawing your superannuation and re-contributing it back into the fund as a non-concessional (after-tax) contribution. It is an easy strategy to implement and can provide significant tax savings for a trustee and their family in the future. This is because the strategy converts the taxable portion of the withdrawn super amount…
With the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the transition to retirement (TTR) pension to take effect from 1 July 2017, those with existing arrangements should review them to avoid any adverse impact on their retirement funds. Following changes in the 2016 Federal Budget, from 1 July 2017, transition to retirement (TTR) pensions will no longer…
The amount of tax an individual pays on their super contributions depends on whether the contributions were made before or after they paid income tax; they have exceeded the super contributions cap or they are a very high-income earner. Before-tax super contributions Concessional (before-tax) super contributions are taxed at 15 per cent. They include employer…
Australians are required to meet a condition of release under superannuation law before they are allowed to cash preserved benefits, restricted non-preserved benefits or access any of their super. Some conditions of release restrict the form of the benefit or the amount of benefit that can be paid. These are known as ‘cashing restrictions’. The…
Adding your own contributions to your super fund is a simple and effective way to boost your superannuation. Personal super contributions are amounts an individual contributes to their super fund from their after-tax income. These contributions are in addition to any compulsory super contributions an individual’s employer makes on their behalf and do not include…
Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) are allowed to invest a private company or business provided the business is operated for the sole purpose of providing retirement benefits for fund members and it is allowed under the trust deed. SMSF trustees must take into account the sole purpose test when determining whether purchasing a private company or…
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) is taking a more serious approach to SMSF non-compliance over the coming year. The Tax Office has found that more than an acceptable number of SMSF trustees are lacking transparency and are operating of the system, i.e. not lodging SMSF annual tax returns and/or not undergoing an annual independent audit.…