News

ASIC cracks down on property spruiker

September 7, 2016

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has banned Park Trent Properties Group chief executive and director Ronald Cross from providing financial services for four years, after it was found he extensively and illegally publicised the purchase of investment properties through an SMSF to clients.

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Compliance & Regulation

ALP pledges to address retrospectivity

August 15, 2016

Darin Tyson-Chan

The federal opposition has promised to address the retrospective nature of the proposed changes to the superannuation system contained in the 2016 budget.

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Strategy

Asset mix key for transfer balance cap

August 15, 2016

Darin Tyson-Chan

Knowing which assets to leave or switch back to the accumulation side of an SMSF is crucial for the optimal tax effectiveness of the fund in light of the proposed $1.6 million transfer cap, an SMSF expert has said.

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Documentation

ATO authority a must for excess NCC refunds

August 15, 2016

Darin Tyson-Chan

Clients must ensure they have obtained a release authority from the ATO as any excess non-concessional contribution (NCC) amounts cannot be refunded without one, a superannuation technical services manager has said.

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Compliance & Regulation

Super consultation process to commence

August 15, 2016

Darin Tyson-Chan

Revenue and Financial Services Minister Kelly O’Dwyer has revealed the consultation process regarding exposure draft legislation for the proposed changes to the superannuation framework will begin very soon.

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Documentation

ESIC Hub offers SMSFs unique exposure

August 15, 2016

Krystine Lumanta

Independent online platform ESIC Hub will begin to provide SMSFs with investment access to the new asset class of early-stage innovation companies (ESIC), which will also provide trustees with significant tax benefits.

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Compliance & Regulation

Most SMSFs satisfy adequacy targets: report

August 11, 2016

Darin Tyson-Chan

The latest joint SMSF Association and Accurium sector research has shown the majority of SMSF trustee couples are well placed to have an asset balance high enough to fund at least a comfortable lifestyle in retirement.

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ATO

ATO early engagement service up and running

July 8, 2016

Darin Tyson-Chan

The ATO’s early engagement and voluntary disclosure service will now accept notifications from SMSF trustees and practitioners of unrectified regulatory contraventions.

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Compliance & Regulation

LRBA compliance extension applauded

July 8, 2016

Darin Tyson-Chan

The ATO has extended the time period SMSF trustees have to comply with the new safe harbour guidelines governing non-bank limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBA).

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Investments

Small caps maintain outperformance

July 8, 2016

Krystine Lumanta

Active small-cap funds continued to experience a strong year compared to the index despite dropping significantly from double-digit growth in previous years, research house Zenith Investment Partners’ sector review showed.

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