The highly anticipated laws to enact an Election promise to allow 65 & 66 year olds to contribute to super without meeting a work test, use the bring-forward provisions and allowing spouse contributions up to age 74 have been released in draft form.

The SMSF sector had its 20th birthday this year so it’s opportune to look back and reflect on what has happened since. - Originally published in "Financial Standard"

Annual Returns for SMSFs established in 2018/19 must be lodged by 28 February 2020. If the fund had never operated and had no assets at 30 June 2019, must it still lodge a return?

Preserved superannuation benefits may only be accessed in lump sum form once members turn 65 or reach their preservation age and retire. In times of financial distress, members may be able to bypass these rules and access their super “early”.

In times of fire, flood, cyclone etc, an SMSF trustee sometimes loses critical fund records. We explain what to do if an original of the deed cannot be found.

One of the risks of investing in property is the asset’s vulnerability to damage, with the potential to impact both rental income and capital returns. We explain what you need to watch out for.

The recent bushfires across Australia have impacted thousands. For those clients who’ve not been impacted and would like to help others less fortunate, can their SMSF play a role?

A key change introduced in the major 2017 amendments was a new ability to rollover death benefits. But a gap in the legislation made this unworkable for some. A legislative fix was finally tabled in parliament in the final sitting days of 2019.

Legislation introduced to fix a problem with market linked and complying life expectancy pensions, but it's not a total solution for all.

The ATO has flagged that it is “not looking to dedicate compliance resources” to locating and executing accountants who minimise their SMSF’s costs by doing free work for their SMSF.

I’ve heard the ATO recently talking about SMSFs and administrative penalties. What are they and what should my client do if they get one?

Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Superannuation Measures No.1) Bill 2019 has received Royal Assent and in relation to the TSB changes is effective from 1 July 2018.