The government has decided not to tax unrealised gains on superannuation balances over $3 million, but there are some other significant changes. Read more

Given the amount of money in super in Australia ($4 trillion, of which SMSFs represent $1 trillion), it's not surprising that there is a lot of focus on risk. Read more

Powers of attorney have specific uses when it comes to SMSFs - so much so that my usual mantra is that if you've got an SMSF you probably should also strongly consider an enduring power of attorney. Read more

The government has released draft legislation for the proposed new tax. At least it has a name now - "Division 296 tax". Read more

In 2021, some important changes were made to the rules governing how self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) paying retirement phase pensions calculate the amount of their investment income that is exempt from taxation - known as their exempt current ... Read more

When an SMSF member with insurance dies before 65 there is potentially a special tax deduction available known as a 'future service' deduction. But it is surprising how often an SMSF cannot claim it. Read more

One of the final pieces of the 2021/22 planning jigsaw has dropped into place. The release of the November 2020 Average Weekly Earnings data means we now know for sure that the concessional contributions cap will increase from $25,000 to $27,500 from ... Read more

Almost all pension members will occasionally draw more than the minimum pension amount in a given year. If so, it is critical to think carefully about how those extra payments should be treated and documented before taking the payment. Pension members ... Read more

A question that has already come up in our practice several times relates to clients who died before 1 July 2017. Read more