Self-Managed Superannuation Funds

Setting up a new SMSF does involve some cost, and one of the decisions you’ll need to make is whether it’s worth paying to establish a new company to act as trustee.

Thinking about a gearing strategy for your SMSF? It’s possible to borrow from a related party, but you must structure the loan terms correctly or else face significant tax penalties.

Taking an extended job posting overseas? If you currently have an SMSF, you’ll need a strategy for managing your super to ensure your fund doesn’t breach any residency rules. Know your options and plan before you go.

Previously, it was thought that any benefit provided directly or indirectly to members or related parties of an SMSF from an investment would contravene the sole purpose test. However, a Full Federal Court decision has reframed the sole purpose test which will provide some flexibility to trustees on certain investments.

Insurance and dispute resolution might not be high on your list of things to consider when starting up an SMSF, but these issues do affect SMSFs differently to public offer funds. What will you do if a dispute arises between SMSF members, and what does taking out insurance in an SMSF practically involve?

For many people, SMSFs are a great option for building retirement savings, but they may not be suitable for everyone. Before you jump in, make sure you understand the differences between SMSFs and other types of funds to help you make an informed decision.

Over 17,000 SMSFs that are heavily invested in one asset class will soon receive a “please explain” from the ATO to check whether they can justify their diversification risk.

Recording the market value of your SMSF’s assets is an important trustee responsibility. But how do you prove “market value”, how often must you value assets and when do you need to hire an expert valuer?

Transferring a commercial property into an SMSF can be a great way to build retirement savings and take advantage of the concessionally taxed SMSF environment. But when acquiring property from a related party, it’s vital the property meets the “business real property” test

While many trustees will know that self-managed super funds (SMSFs) are required to prepare and implement an investment strategy, what they may not know is that specific factors have to be considered in forming the investment strategy including the risk of inadequate diversification.