$1.6 million transfer cap to limit exempt pension income

The $1.6 million cap will limit the amount of income earned that is exempt from income tax in the superannuation fund for members with balances exceeding that cap. » full story

Federal Budget 2016-17

There are unexpected changes in the Budget affecting superannuation, changes that the Government is saying will improve sustainability, flexibility and integrity of the superannuation system. Certain superannuation concessions will be curbed. » full story

ATO guidance for LRBA related party loan (safe harbour)

The Guidelines sets out the terms on which SMSF trustees may structure their LRBAs with related party loans that are acceptable to the ATO. » full story

2016-17 Superannuation Tax Rates and Thresholds

The key changes for superannuation rates and thresholds for 2016-17. » full story

Federal Budget 2015-16

Budget for Jobs, Growth and Opportunity, the Federal Treasurer delivered his second Budget with no new taxes on superannuation. » full story

Refund of excess non-concessional contributions

A fairer taxation of excess non-concessional contributions. » full story

Changes to increase in superannuation guarantee rate

The Government will continue with the increase of superannuation guarantee (SG) rate to 12 per cent from the current 9.25 per cent, but the timing of the increase will change. » full story

Option to withdrawal excess non-concessional contributions

The Government has announced that it will make the taxation of contributions exceeding the non-concessional cap fairer. » full story

Federal budget 2014-15

The 2014-15 Federal Budget contained few tax and superannuation measures, but includes a range of expenditure savings measures relating to middle-income benefits, social security and health. » full story

Update on SuperStream electronic messaging

The Government announced 26 May 2014 that the implement of the SuperStream contributions data standards will be delayed. » full story

SuperStream electronic messaging for SMSF

From 1 July 2014, SMSFs will be required to receive employer superannuation contributions that comply with the Government’s SuperStream Data and Payment Standard. » full story

Proposed tax on superannuation pension earnings scrapped, backlog of unlegislated measures

The Treasurer on 6 November 2013 stated that it is dealing with a backlog of 92 announced but unlegislated tax and superannuation measures that the current Government inherited. » full story

Feberal budget 2013

The 2013 Federal Budget contained no significant additional changes. The Budget mainly reconfirms a number of announcements made recently by the Government. » full story

Tax exemption for pension asset earnings capped at $100,000

The Government announced on 5 April 2013 (Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation Media release No. 21) that the tax treatment of earnings on assets supporting superannuation income streams will be reformed. » full story

ECPI concession where minimum pension payments not met

Guidance on circumstances that may allow a SMSF to continue a superannuation income stream and continue to claim Exempt Current Pension Income (ECPI), even though the minimum pension requirements are not met. » full story

More Stronger Super Reform regulations made

Regulations to require trustees to regularly review the fund’s investment strategy, consider insurance, strengthen the requirement to keep SMSF money and assets separate from that of a trustee personally and require SMSFs to value the assets at market value for reporting purposes. » full story

SMSF levy increase

The levy has been increased from $180 to $200 and will be applicable for the 2011-12 financial year, with effect from 1 July 2011. » full story

Refund of excess concessional contributions

From 1 July 2011, a once in a life time option will be available to an individual to have up to $10,000 of the excess concessional contributions refunded. » full story

Federal budget 2012

The 2012 federal budget contained a numerous measures affecting superannuation, including a deferral of concessional contributions cap for over 50s. » full story

In-specie shares contribution to be banned

As part of the release of the Stronger Super Reform information package on 21 September 2011, the Government will ban in-specie contributions of listed securities to a self-managed superannuation fund from 1 July 2012. » full story

Freezing of concessional contributions caps

As part of the Government’s mid-year economic and fiscal outlook, a number of superannuation measures were announced. » full story

Low income super and super co-contributions

As part of the Government’s mid-year economic and fiscal outlook, a number of superannuation measures were announced. » full story

Minimum pension draw-down relief extended

The Minister for Superannuation announced that the 25 per cent reduction in the minimum pension draw-down will be extended to the 2012-13 year. » full story

Age limit for super guarantee abolished

From 1 July 2013, the age based limit for superannuation guarantee contributions will be abolished. » full story

Draft Taxation Ruling TR 2011/D3 Income tax: when a superannuation income stream commences and ceases

The tax office recently released Draft Tax Ruling TR2011/D3 providing the Commissioner’s preliminary view about when a superannuation income stream commences and ceases, including the documentation requirements. » full story

ATO Self managed super fund June 2011 statistical report

Statistical report release periodically by the ATO, to June 2011. » full story

Excess contributions tax statistical report

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) recently released data on excess contributions tax. » full story

Draft rules for SMSF investing in collectables and personal use assets

The draft regulations allow SMSF trustees to continue to invest in collectables, subject to tighter rules as to how they are stored and valued. The proposed rules would commence on 1 July 2011, witrh transitional arrangement in place for 5 years. » full story

Concessional superannuation contributions caps for individuals aged 50 and over from 1 July 2012 ($500,000 threshold)

From 1 July 2012, individuals aged 50 and over with total superannuation balances below $500,000 will have a concessional contribution cap of $50,000 per financial year. Those with total superannuation balances of $500,000 or more will revert to concessional contribution cap of $25,000. » full story

Changes to deductibility of TPD insurance

Where superannuation funds have Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) cover in respect of fund members, claiming a tax deduction on premiums paid will depend on the type of cover come 1 July 2011. » full story

Federal budget 2011 - superannuation specific

The Federal Budget would not be complete without announcements relating to superannuation. Read our review of those that relates to superannuation and SMSFs » full story

Government response to the recommendation of the Super System Review (Cooper Review)

The Government released its response to the Cooper Review in December 2010 detailing that it will supports or support in principle about three quarters of the some 177 recommendations. Read our review of those that relates to SMSFs » full story

Changes to NSW stamp duty on dutiable property

The recent change to the NSW Duties Act now provides concession on transfer of “dutiable property” to a self managed superannuation fund if certain criteria are met. If you are thinking about making an in-specie contribution of a business real property to the fund, you can now make this contribution and take advantage of the concessional duty » full story

SMSF limited recourse borrowing arrangement - update

The SMSF borrowing arrangement provisions in the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (the SIS Act) have been changed. From 7 July 2010. » full story

Clarity on CGT treatment of instalment warrants and update on capital protected borrowings

The longstanding practice of capital gains tax treatment of instalment warrants is being legislated to provide certainty to taxpayers. » full story

Extention of 50 per cent reduction in minimum pension drawdown

The Government will continue the 50 per cent reduction in the minimum payment amount for account-based pension, allocated and market-linked pensions for the 2010-11 financial year. » full story

Preparing for year-end - keeping your SMSF in order

Counting down to 30 June, its that time of the year again... housekeeping tasks to help you prepare for the financial year-end. » full story

Federal Budget 2010

The Budget has been framed on a sustained economic recovery and new Resources Super Profits Tax to return the Budget to surplus within 3 years. Read our Budget analysis on personal taxation and superannuation measures. » full story

Australia's Future Tax System (Henry) Review Report

The Review report put forward a proposal for comprehensive tax reform. The Government's response to the recommendations was less than comprehensive. Ths Government announced a small number of recommendations that will be implemented or rejected outright, but remaining silent on most of the 138 recommendations. » full story

The Super System (Cooper) Review - SMSF report

A summary of the recommendations from the Superannuation System Review report Self-Managed Super Solutions. » full story

Super System Review Statistical Summary of SMSF

The Superannuation System Review has release a paper titled “A Statistical Summary of Self-Managed Super Funds”. The paper provides a collection of interesting statistical data and broad overview of the SMSF sector, including topics such as investment performance, operating expenses and compliance issues. » full story

Federal budget 2009 - super law changes

The Treasurer, Mr Swan, handed down his second budget with some proposed changes to the superannuation system, including limitation on savings through superannuation. » full story

Minimum pension drawdown for 2008-09 halved

The Government has announced a temporary relief to the minimum amount of superannuation pension that a retiree is require to drawdown. » full story

2008 SMSF statistics

Around three quarters of a million Australians now have all or part of their superannuation savings in self managed super fund. » full story

Budget 2008

Highlights from Budget 2008. » full story

2007 annual compliance dead-line

2007 Fund income tax and regulatory return not required earlier is due for lodgment by 15 May 2008. » full story

Minister reinforce support for SMSF

The Government’s Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, the Hon Nick Sherry, has reinforce his support for the growing self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) sector. » full story

SMSF borrowing rules examined

The new sub-section 67(4A) of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act will allow a self managed superfund to borrow, subject to satisfying the conditions of new sub-section. » full story

Super tips – are you over age 55 and still working?

If you are over the age of 55 and still working, either full-time or part-time, you can implement a strategy to save on the tax you pay. » full story

Website updated

Welcome to our new-look website. » full story

Terminally ill can excess super early

The Australian Taxation Office has released interim measures to deal with this change. » full story