Preparing to lodge quarterly January TBAR

Preparing to lodge quarterly January TBAR

The ATO is reminding SMSF trustees that if they have had transfer balance account events in the last quarter they must lodge a TBAR by 28 January 2025. . The regulator said SMSFs must report certain events that affect members’ transfer balance accounts quarterly using...
Divorce doesn’t alter contribution rules

Divorce doesn’t alter contribution rules

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has upheld an ATO decision to impose an excess contributions penalty and rejected a taxpayer’s claim a divorce-related superannuation split constituted special circumstances under taxation law. . The case involved a taxpayer,...
How to overcome your investment fears

How to overcome your investment fears

Are you thinking of investing but feel held back? Here's how to get started. . You're ready to start investing, but there's a few things holding you back. Firstly, while you have a bit of money set aside, you don't have a lot and you're...
Navigating the outcome of the U.S. election

Navigating the outcome of the U.S. election

History suggests that investors shouldn’t be concerned about material asset return differences under different political administrations. . A portfolio of 60% equities and 40% fixed income has produced an annual compound return of 8.1% since 1860 with a Republican...
SMSF succession planning part 1 – getting started

SMSF succession planning part 1 – getting started

  Part 1 examines the key characteristics of a sound SMSF succession plan including planning for control of the fund to pass into trusted hands in the event of a member’s death or loss of capacity.     For many Australians, superannuation is a significant asset...
ATO reviewing all new SMSF registrations to stop illegal early access

ATO reviewing all new SMSF registrations to stop illegal early access

The ATO said it is reviewing and assessing all new SMSFs before they can receive a registered or complying status on Super Fund Lookup (SFLU) as part of a program to stop illegal early access schemes. . As part of an ongoing program to raise awareness of the risks...
Compliance documents crucial for SMSFs

Compliance documents crucial for SMSFs

Failure to create, execute, perform and retain documents for an SMSF can leave a fund and its trustees unable to provide compliance evidence, warns a specialist legal expert. . Michael Hallinan, special counsel for SUPERCentral, said compliance documentation is vital,...
The biggest assets growth areas for SMSFs

The biggest assets growth areas for SMSFs

What five years’ worth of SMSF asset allocation data reveals. . The Australian Tax Office (ATO) releases quarterly data showing where self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) are parking the retirement savings that they have invested within the super system.   The...
Investment and economic outlook, October 2024

Investment and economic outlook, October 2024

The latest forecasts for investment returns and region-by-region economic outlook. . The upturn in U.S. unemployment before the start of the Federal Reserve’s rate-cutting cycle likely reflects a normalised labour market, not one poised for rapid deterioration. The...