SMSFs warned of risky retirement planning

The ATO is warning self-managed super fund (SMSF) trustees about the risks of some emerging retirement planning arrangements. Retirees or SMSF trustees who are involved in any illegal arrangement, even by accident, may face severe penalties, risk losing their retirement savings, and potentially, their rights as a trustee to manage their own fund. The Tax…

ATO’s data matching programs

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has sophisticated data matching programs in place to ensure individuals and businesses are complying with their obligations and to uphold the integrity of the tax system for the community at large. The Tax Office uses data matching to pre-fill tax returns, ensure people and businesses are lodging tax returns and…

SMSFs: Stats

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has released its June 2017 quarterly SMSF statistical report detailing key SMSF figures. As of June 2017, the number of SMSFs increased to 596,516. The number of SMSF members in Australia is 1,124,453. The estimated value of total Australian and overseas SMSF assets is $696.7 billion. The number of annual…

SMSF: Capital vs revenue expenses

Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) have access to a range of tax deductions for expenses incurred. Whether the expenses are capital in nature or are considered as revenue will affect eligibility for claiming such deductions. The Tax Office considers an expense that is incurred in establishing or making enduring changes to a super fund’s structure or…

ATO to focus on cash-only businesses

To protect honest, compliant Australian businesses, the Australian Taxation Office has placed a strong emphasis on targeting the cash and hidden economy. The ATO is visiting businesses that deal predominantly in cash, with a focus on those that: Fail to meet super or employer obligations, and that fail to register for GST or lodge activity…