Posts

Update 31 | Class SMSF Benchmark Report August 2022

This latest report was published in August 2022 and covers developments up until 31 March 2022. The June numbers are not out yet. In this episode, Kevin Zhang, Technical Compliance Manager of Class, will walk you through the main findings of this report.

Property Development within an SMSF

280 | Property Development within an SMSF

Property development within an SMSF can be done but is fraught with danger as Bryce Figot of DBA Lawyers will tell you.

SMSF Trustee Discretion

254 | SMSF Trustee Discretion

The Marsella case changed forever how SMSF trustee discretion is exercised. Here is Paul Mackenroth of Cleary Hoare with more.

Ask an SMSF Expert

225 | Ask an SMSF Expert

In this episode Kathy Evans discusses pension and lump sum payments, deductibility of SMSF expenses as well as the SMSF look up.

Why an SMSF

224 | Why an SMSF

Why an SMSF? In this episode Kathy Evans of Findex in Albury/Wondonga will list 15 factors to consider.

LRBA Safe Harbour Rules

223 | LRBA Safe Harbour Rules

You don't have to follow the LRBA safe harbour rules. But many do. Kathy Evans of Findex will walk you through the 7 safe harbour rules listed in PCG 2016/5.

Family Allowance Agreement

216 | Family Allowance Agreement

A family allowance agreement might save your family a lot of money. Grant Abbott of Lightyear Docs and I love SMSF will tell you more.

Excess Concessional Contributions

215 | Excess Concessional Contributions

Excess concessional contributions can work to your advantage. Here is Grant Abbott of Lightyear Docs and I love SMSF with more.

appointor

214 | Appointor

The appointor has the power to appoint and remove a trustee. Here is Grant Abbott of Lightyear Docs and I love SMSF with more.

leading member

211 | Leading Member

Why would you create a leading member? And how? Grant Abbott of Lightyear Docs and I love SMSF has the answer.

SMSF Depreciation

208 | SMSF Depreciation

An SMSF can claim Div 43, 40 and anything under $300 assuming it doesn't run a business. Here is Scott Brunsdon of Depreciator.com with more.

downsizer contributions

193 | Downsizer Contributions

Downsizer contributions are turning out to be more popular than many thought - including us. To learn more, we asked Daniel Mikhail of Partners Wealth Group to walk us through the details.

Managed Funds

192 | Managed Funds

Managed funds have become household names. But how exactly do they work? Here is Daniel Mikhail of Partners Wealth Group with some answers.

related party lrba

188 | Related Party LRBA

How to set up a related party LRBA without triggering a dividend? Andrew Henshaw of Velocity Legal in Sydney will give you the answer.

SMSF Buys Property Jointly

187 | SMSF Buys Property Jointly

How exactly does this work when an SMSF buys property jointly as tenants in common? Andrew Henshaw of Velocity Legal in Sydney has the answer.

SMSF Investment Strategies

185 | SMSF Investment Strategies

SMSF investment strategies will receive a lot more limelight going forward. Liam Shorte of Verante in Castle Hill will tell you why.

lrba

183 | LRBA

An SMSF can only borrow through an LRBA. Peter Bobbin of Argyle Lawyers in Sydney will tell you more and answer your questions.

SMSF Joint Property Acquisitions

182 | SMSF Joint Property Acquisitions

SMSF joint property acquisitions are one way to circumvent a lack of cash within an SMSF as Peter Bobbin of Argyle Lawyers in Sydney will tell you.

SMSF corporate trustees

181 | SMSF Corporate Trustees

Most SMSFs have a corporate trustee. In this episode Peter Bobbin of Argyle Lawyers in Sydney will discuss the finer details of corporate trustees.

investing super in property

177 | Investing Super in Property

Investing super in property is a popular strategy. But how exactly do we do that? We asked Peter Bobbin of Argyle Lawyers in Sydney about the options we have.

when an SMSF trustee dies

161 | Death of an SMSF Trustee

The death of an SMSF trustee is a big event in the life of an SMSF. Here is Rani Gandha of Turnbull Hill Lawyers with more.

SMSF Trustee Responsibilities

160 | SMSF Trustee Responsibilities

SMSF trustee responsibilities are many and varied. The road is full of roadblocks. Here is Rani Gandha of Turnbull Hill Lawyers with more.

Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship

134 | Testamentary Trust Basics

In this episode Peter Bobbin of Argyle Lawyers will tell you when a testamentary trust makes sense - and when it doesn't.

133 | ITAA97 NANE

In this episode Peter Bobbin of Argyle Lawyers will tell you more about a new non-arm’s length concept - non-arm’s length expenses - NANE.

132 | ITAA97 NANI

s295-550 ITAA97 doesn't get much limelight but is much more dangerous than s109 of the SIS Act. Here is Peter Bobbin of Argyle Lawyers with more.

131 | SIS Act NANI

Non-arm's length income features in most court cases around the sole purpose test as Peter Bobbin of Argyle Lawyers will explain in this episode.

Tax Talks Q & A

126 | Tax Talks Q & A

This  Tax Talks Q & A goes through 10 questions and comments you sent in up to April 2019.

In-Specie Contributions and Payments

125 | In-Specie Contributions and Payments

In-specie contributions and payments are complex since you get two transactions "for the price of one". Gordon Mackenzie of UNSW discusses this in more detail.

124 | SIS v Tax Dependants

SIS dependancy determines who gets your super. Tax dependancy determines the amount of tax payable. Here is Gordon Mackenzie of UNSW with more.

Death Benefit

123 | Death Benefit

A death benefit is any payment your super fund makes after you die. Here is Gordon Mackenzie of UNSW with more.

SMSF Succession

112 | SMSF Succession

How does SMSF succession work? Daniel Butler of DBA Lawyers in Melbourne gives you a helpful overview and shares some war stories. Here is what we learned.

Accountants' Exemption

104 | Accountants’ Exemption

The accountants' exemption is dearly missed. But there are rumours that it might come back. Here is Ron Lesh of BGL with more.

Top 10 SMSF Hot Spots July to October 2018

98 | Top 10 SMSF Hot Spots July to October 2018

The top 10 SMSF hot spots for July to October 2018 cover a wide range of topics. Here is Miranda Brownlee of SMSF Adviser.

TRIS to Retirement Phase

88 | TRIS to Retirement Phase

When moving a TRIS to retirement phase, does it matter when you notify the trustee? Meg Heffron of Heffron SMSF Solutions has the answer.

when a member dies

87 | When a Member Dies

When a member dies, there is a lot to deal with in the aftermath - including the member's SMSF. Here is Meg Heffron of Heffron SMSF Solutions with the details.

Bring-Forward Rule

86 | Bring-Forward Rule

The bring forward rule for non-concessional contributions now needs to work around the TSB. Meg Heffron of Heffron SMSF Solutions will tell you more.

how to maximise ECPI

85 | How To Maximise ECPI

To minimise tax you need to maximise your exempt current pension income (ECPI). Melanie Dunn of Accurium will tell you how.

Actuarial Certificates

84 | Actuarial Certificates

Not every SMSF needs an actuarial certificate. Whether you do or don't depends on a range of things. Here is Melanie Dunn of Accurium with the details.

Disregarded Small Fund Assets

83 | Disregarded Small Fund Assets

A fund has disregarded small fund assets when a member's TSB in retirement phase exceeds $1.6m. Melanie Dunn of Accurium will tell you why this is relevant.

ECPI

82 | Segregation

To segregate or not - that is a big question and affects ECPI. Melanie Dunn of Accurium will walk you through the details.

Class SMSF Benchmark Report June 2018

76 | Class SMSF Benchmark Report June 2018

The Class SMSF Benchmark Report 2018 looks at the effects of the super reform up to now. Here is Kevin Bungard of Class with the details.

McLowd's 2020 Vision

73 | Mclowd’s 2020 Vision

What is Mclowd's 2020 vision? Where are they heading? Here is Ashley Porter, the CEO of Mclowd with the details. 

Future SMSF Practices

70 | Future SMSF Practices

What will future SMSF practices look like? How will they grow and adapt? We asked Aaron Dunn of Smarter SMSF to give us an insight.

Digital Financial Advice

66 | Digital Financial Advice

We all need to decide where we stand regarding financial advice. One option is to engage a digital financial advice platform. Jim Hennington of ASAP has more.

SMSF Performance

63 | SMSF Performance

The Australian Productivity Commission's April 2018 draft report tried to compare ARPA funds with SMSFs. Here Kevin Bungard, the CEO of Class, with more.

SMSF Adviser May 2018 Update

60 | SMSF Adviser May 2018 Update

Miranda Brownlee writes for SMSF Adviser and covers over 20 stories a week, all about SMSF. We asked Miranda what happened in May. Here is what we learned.

The Story of Mclowd

58 | The Story of Mclowd

The story of Mclowd starts like many other successful start-ups. Mclowd was born out of an attempt to "scratch its own itch". Ashley Porter was there.

Event-Based Reporting

57 | Event-Based Reporting

Here are some comments from Kevin Bungard, CEO at Class, about the first round of event-based reporting.

56 | Acknowledgement of Trust

When do you need an acknowledgement of trust in an SMSF? Heide Robson will talk you through different scenarios re compliance with s52(2)(g) of the SIS Act.

the story of class

54 | The Story of Class

The Story of Class is not just about Class. It is also a story about the SMSF industry and us. Kevin Bungard of Class will tell you how it all started.

SMSF Update

53 | SMSF Update

The super reform is done and dusted, but some issues still raise their head. Daniel Mikhail of Partners Wealth Group will discuss those with you.

Pension Strategies Post 1 July 2017

47 | Pension Strategies Post 1 July 2017

Pension strategies post 1 July 2017 have changed. Daniel Mikhail of Partners Wealth Group will guide you through the different options.

online SMSF auditing software

45 | Online SMSF Auditing Software

Online SMSF auditing software is the way of the future. Manoj Abichandani of onlinesmsfaudit.com.au will tell you why and how.

Bank and Data Feeds

41 | How Data Feeds Work

How do data feeds actually work?  Kevin Bungard and Tom Sargent of Class will give you a unique insight.

personal insurance inside or outside of super

40 | Personal Insurance Inside or Outside of Super

Personal insurance inside or outside of Super? Mistakes can cost dearly. Daniel Mikhail of Partners Wealth Group will guide you through the intricate details.

How to sell my accounting practice

38 | How To Sell My Accounting Practice

If you want to sell your accounting practice, do you know how? Steven Fine of Growth Focus runs you through the process with valuable advice on the way.

The Great Debate

33 | The Great Debate

If you could change one thing about the Australian tax system, what would it be and how? Robert Deutsch of The Tax institute asked that question. 

December 2017 Class Benchmark Report

31 | Class SMSF Benchmark Report December 2017

The December 2017 Class SMSF Benchmark Report is a great read.  Kevin Bungard of Class will share valuable insights with you.

estate planning

28 | Estate Planning

Estate planning is complex because it has so many moving parts: trust law, super law, tax law, family law. Ben Symons of State Chambers, NSW will walk you through the jungle.

bgl

27 | The Story of BGL

How did BGL start? Where is it now? And where to from here? Ron Lesh of BGL will take you from the past to the future.

Partial Commutations Require an AFSL

25 | Partial Commutations Require an AFSL

Are we as tax advisers allowed to partially commute balances from pension back to accumulation? Here is David Moss of Merit Wealth on this issue.

TRIS to an ABP

20 | TRIS to an ABP

Can a TRIS converts to an ABP or does it need to stop and start? David Moss of Merit Wealth discusses the current status of this issue.

Sole Purpose Test

19 | Sole Purpose Test

According to the ATO the sole purpose test is the most commonly breached rule. Manoj Abichandani of Online SMSF Auditor discusses the issue.

SMSF Estate Planning

17 | SMSF Estate Planning Post July 2017

The super reform changed estate planning within the SMSF environment. Here is Chloe Ward of Intello giving you an overview.

events based reporting

14 | Events Based Reporting Turnaround

Events based reporting experienced an impressive turnaround. In this episode Ron Lesh of BGL will tell you how this came about.

Events Based Reporting

11 | SMSF Events Based Reporting

From 1 July 2018 all SMSFs in retirement phase need to report certain events to the ATO. Chloe Ward of Intello gives you an overview.

offshore SMSF work

2 | Why Not To Offshore SMSF Work

Do you offshore SMSF work or not? Chloe Ward of Intello will tell you how they turned staying in Australia into an advantage.

Articles

75 | Tax Positions in Class

Tax positions in Class Super - or any accounting software for that matter - can be confusing. So here is a short overview for Class Super.
Income Tax Payable and Provision for Income Tax

71 | Income Tax Payable and Provision for Income Tax

Your Statement of Financial Position usually shows an income tax payable and a provision for income tax. What is the difference?
Ryan Wealth v Baumgartner

53 | Ryan Wealth v Baumgartner

Ryan Wealth v Baumgartner is the latest calamity in the new practice by trustees to get the SMSF auditor to pay for dumb investment decisions.
Super is Not Part of Your Estate

48 | Super is Not Part of Your Estate

Super is not part of your estate. Here is the story of David Mandie's SMSF that set the precedent.
smsf need abn

24 | SMSF need an ABN

An SMSF needs an ABN and TFN. A corporate trustee as a special purpose company only needs an ACN. That is the answer in a nut shell but here is more.
Minimum Pension Payments

7 | Minimum Pension Payments

When you start a pension, you need to make minimum pension payments. Otherwise your fund loses its tax exempt status.
withdraw from accumulation

6 | Withdraw from Accumulation

Can you withdraw from accumulation accounts in your SMSF? If you have met a condition of release, the answer is Yes. If you haven't, the answer is a big No.