This webinar, co-presented by Aaron Dunn & Kath Bowler (HN Law), unpacks the latest issues within SMSFs and superannuation, providing key insights into a range of topics regarding the technical implications, but also importantly how it impacts you as either a licensed or unlicensed professional working with SMSF clients.

Using a series of case studies, this session explored various topics relevant to the completion of your SMSF client's year end work including:

• End of year compliance
• SMSFs & debt management 

Time was also spent exploring details from the Quality of advice review.

With the Government already announcing changes to superannuation prior to this year's Federal Budget, what else was  installed for the SMSF sector? 

With Federal Budgets in recent years being relatively quiet on the super front, this year is shaping as being much more interesting given the Government's proposed legislating of an objective of superannuation.

In this webinar recording, both Aaron and Tim discuss the impact of the Budget announcements on the SMSF sector and what you should be considering as part of these potential changes with your SMSF clients.

Failing the minimum pension can impact on a number of issues in respect to the payment of a super income stream – whether it be a Transition to Retirement Income Stream, Account Based Pension or Death Benefit Pension.

In this webinar, Aaron Dunn explores:

• the impact of failing the minimum pension, including loss of tax exemption.
• how benefit payments are treated, subject to the type of income stream being paid.
• what concessions may be available for the pension to continue.
• Ideas to contemplate when a pension shortfall may exist in an income year.

The session uses a number of examples to illustrate the various issues within each pension type.

Using a series of case studies, this session explored various topics relevant to the completion of your SMSF client's year end work including:

• End of year compliance
• SMSFs & debt management 

Time was also spent exploring details from the Quality of advice review.

This webinar explores the requirements of meeting the definition of business real property in relation to SMSFs for the purposes of the SIS Act.  

Taking a detailed look at SMSF ruling 2009/1, we explore:

• the meaning of business real property within the SIS laws, including the two basic conditions that must be satisfied to hold BRP
• the BRP context in respect to the related party acquisition rules
• Primary production requirements
• Land development, vacant land and when is use of real property in a business
• Short term accommodation and temporary business use requirements

The Changing Face of SMSF explores the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting SMSFs.  

In this webinar recording, Aaron and Tim explore:

• Latest legislation update including Bills currently before Parliament, including the NALE legislation for general expenses impacting SMSFs, finalisation of electronic execution measure and amendment to the FHSSS rules.
• Treasury consultations, including the release of the exposure draft to legislate the Objective of Superannuation.
• ATO updates, including draft determination of the interaction of NALI & CGT provisions, explore a number of Private Binding Rulings impacting the SIS & tax dependancy, and the NALE general expenses rules, along with other key announcements by the regulator.
• The latest case law, exploring the treatment of NALI and super death benefit payments.

The Changing Face of SMSF explores the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting SMSFs.  

In this webinar recording, Aaron and Tim explore:

• Latest legislation update including Bills currently before Parliament, including the NALE legislation for general expenses impacting SMSFs, finalisation of electronic execution measure and amendment to the FHSSS rules.
• Treasury consultations, including the release of the exposure draft to legislate the Objective of Superannuation.
• ATO updates, including draft determination of the interaction of NALI & CGT provisions, explore a number of Private Binding Rulings impacting the SIS & tax dependancy, and the NALE general expenses rules, along with other key announcements by the regulator.
• The latest case law, exploring the treatment of NALI and super death benefit payments.

The Changing Face of SMSF explores the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting SMSFs.

In this webinar recording, Aaron and Tim explore:

• The release of the Bill introducing Division 296 tax, where the Government is to introduce a 15% tax on individuals who have a superannuation balance above $3.0 million.
• The advancement of a Bill before Parliament to make changes to the operation of the NALI provisions in respect to non-arm’s length expenditure (NALE) of a general nature that can taint all of the fund’s income.
• A range of other Bills and consultations, including legislating the objective of super, proposed payday super laws, and proposed franking credit law changes.
• The latest ATO updates, including the rulings, Private Binding Rulings, updated information on compassionate grounds / medical and more.
• Recent case law.

The Changing Face of SMSF takes a look at the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting the SMSF sector over the past quarter to June 2022.

These technical update sessions are held in March, June, September and December each year and look explore:

• Bills currently before Parliament
• Treasury consultations
• ATO rulings, determinations and other updates
• Latest case law

The Changing Face of SMSF explores the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting SMSFs.  

In this webinar recording, Aaron and Tim explore:

• Latest legislation update including Bills currently before Parliament, including the NALE legislation for general expenses impacting SMSFs, finalisation of electronic execution measure and amendment to the FHSSS rules.
• Treasury consultations, including the release of the exposure draft to legislate the Objective of Superannuation.
• ATO updates, including draft determination of the interaction of NALI & CGT provisions, explore a number of Private Binding Rulings impacting the SIS & tax dependancy, and the NALE general expenses rules, along with other key announcements by the regulator.
• The latest case law, exploring the treatment of NALI and super death benefit payments.

The Changing Face of SMSF explores the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting SMSFs.  

In this webinar, Aaron Dunn explores a number of issues including:

• Details of the Government’s proposed measures for member’s with balances above $3.0m
• Latest legislation finalised and other Bills before parliament
• Treasury consultations, including the legislating of the objective for super, and amendments to the NALE provisions
• Details of ASIC’s release of Info Sheet 274, regarding the provision of SMSF advice.
• ATO updates, including the super rates and thresholds updates for 2033-24, and views of member benefits vs death benefits.
• Recent case law on the court’s view where trust deeds cannot be located, and its impact on subsequent documents prepared under an updated deed.

The Changing Face of SMSF explores the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting SMSFs.   

In this webinar recording, Aaron and Tim explore:

• Flow on effect from the 2023-24 Federal Budget including PCG 2020/5 and SMSF residency
• Treasury consultations, including how the Federal Budget solidified the Government’s position on Better Targeted Superannuation Concessional and Non-arm’s length expenditure
• Update of the indexation of the transfer balance cap, transfer balance account reporting and minimum pension obligations
• ATO updates, including updates on the latest legislative instruments, outstanding determinations, and other regulatory matters such as SuperStream & LRBA safe harbour
• The latest case law that impacts SMSF trustees

Dealing with related parties explores the complex relationship that exists when an SMSF transacts and invests with family and connected entities.  

In this webinar, Tim Miller explores a number of issues including:

• Latest ATO statistics highlighting related party breaches by SMSFs
• What or who is a related party with reference to SMSFs
• The prohibition on SMSF trustees acquiring assets from a related party
• How related parties define the in-house asset rules 
• Related party exceptions to the in-house asset rules
• The impact on fund income when an SMSF transacts with related parties or terms that are not considered arm’s length.

The use of limited recourse borrowing arrangements remains a popular strategy for the acquisition of both residential and commercial property within a SMSF.

In this upcoming webinar, we will be exploring a number of current and emerging issues to give you the latest intel of what’s happening with assets acquired under s.67A & 67B, including:

• the use of intermediary LRBAs, and their impact on a member’s Total Super Balance (TSB)
• What needs to be considered with the ATO safe harbours for related party loans in a rising interest rate environment (also where Div7A rules apply)
• the impact of the recent findings by the Council of Financial Regulators (CFR) into the use of LRBAs by SMSFs
• Structural considerations for when the loan has been repaid

The session uses a range of examples throughout the session to illustrate each of these topics further.

This webinar explores the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting SMSFs. In the recording, we explore:

• Bills currently before Parliament, including changes to the downsizer contributions age, and the Commonwealth Senior Health Card threshold.
• The latest ATO updates including changes to the TBAR reporting framework, updates on SuperStream, updates on the cessation of COVID relief and more.
• Various AAT decisions impacting auditor and trustee disqualification, along with the tax treatment of pension & lump sum payments.

The Changing Face of SMSF looks at the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting self-managed super funds (to March 2019). This webinar takes a look at:

• Latest legislation tracking, including an update on bills impacting changes to membership numbers within a SMSF, reversionary TRISs,
• Treasury updates, including proposed changes to Market Linked Pension commutations, a Death Benefit Rollovers
• Details from the Productivity Commission's final report on the efficiency of Australia's super system, including findings and recommendations impacting SMSFs.
• ATO update on timeframe changes on the complying status of a new SMSF, along with changes to the key super rates and thresholds for 2019-20.
• Case law decision of Re Marsella, looking at the key issues that need to be considered when paying a super death benefit.

Topics: Changing Face of SMSF, Contributions, Pensions, Super Reforms, Market Linked Pension

Webinar slides & Workbook

What are the opportunities to explore with your SMSF clients in the lead up to 30 June?  In the SMSF Tax Planning webinar, Aaron Dunn, CEO of Smarter SMSF shares a range of strategies, tips and traps for self-managed super funds across the areas of contributions, fund investments, benefit payments and much more.

Topics: Contributions, LRBA, Pensions

Slides & Checklist

The Fund Member's Guardian can play a vital role in participating in the management of a member's superannuation interest(s), most likely in circumstances where the member suffers a legal incapacity or upon death of the member.

In this webinar, Aaron Dunn (Smarter SMSF) and Chris Hill (Hill Legal) look at the role and powers of a Fund Member's Guardian, the appointment, how it differs from the role of an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA), and key benefits, including how you as the trusted adviser / professional can help add an extra layer of protection with a member's benefit from potential abuse or mismanagement by other trustees or directors.

The session provides a range of examples across single member funds, incapacity, blended families and potential transfer balance cap issues.

Topics: Estate Planning, Guardianship, Fund Member's Guardian, Deed

Webinar Slides, Fund Guardian sample document 

The Changing Face of SMSF looks at the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting self-managed super funds (to June 2019)

In this webinar Aaron takes you through:

• The Council of Financial Regulator and ATO’s report for Government into the use of leverage (LRBAs) and risk within the super system
• Budget superannuation announcements
• Changes to ASIC fees from 1 July 2019
• ATO updates including changes to the SMSF Annual Return, updated valuation guidelines for SMSFs, contribution splitting and unused concessional contribution carry forward, along with changes to the LRBA safe harbour interest rate; and
• Other updates including the cessation of the anti-detriment rules from 30 June 2019

Whilst the age profile of new SMSFs is lowering, more than 1 in every 5 members within a SMSF is over the age of 70 years, with an average member balance of greater than $1.0 million.

Without the right knowledge and tools to help your clients through these critical issues, you can leave the members, their families and your business exposed.

Join Aaron for this upcoming webinar where he explores a range of important and practical issues in dealing with Aging SMSF clients. Using a case study, he discusses issues and ideas around:

• succession and control,
• estate planning,
• the payment of income streams,
• fund assets; and
• alternates/exiting considerations

Webinar slides

The Changing Face of SMSF looks at the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting self-managed super funds (to September 2019)

In this webinar Aaron will take you through:

• An update on Bills before Parliament, including the reintroduction of lapsed super measures, along with current Treasury consultation on proposed amendments for downsizer contributions;
• ATO updates including details on the ATO’s letters to trustees about meeting the diversification requirement within the fund’s investment strategy, in addition to guidance for reversionary pensions where the minimum pension has not been met in an income year, and changes to the SFLU status of a fund where the SMSF Annual Return is late;

Case law and the impact of the recent decision in Dawson v Dawson.

Webinar slides and workbook

The ATO has recently written to 17,700 trustees regarding their fund's investment strategy asking how the trustees have adequately considered and documented the diversification requirements outlined in SIS Regulation 4.09. In addition to contacting fund trustees, the Regulator has also contacted the appointed fund's auditor to notify them of the ATO's concerns.

After having a significant level of interest from across our membership, through our recent newsletter and blog posts about how to best respond to this issue, Aaron Dunn explores the topic of 'SMSF investment strategies - what you need to know...'

This webinar explores:

• the impact of the ATO's letters to trustees and auditors;
• what the Regulator's expectations are in trustee's formulating an SMSF investment strategy;
• the 'line' for unlicensed practitioners to ensure you don't overstep involvement in meeting the investment strategy requirements for trustees; and
• how you can build an investment strategy document within the Smarter SMSF platform

Finalisation of previously lapsed measures has now seen some important amendments to the non-arm’s length income (NALI) provisions that remove ambiguity within section 295-550 of the ITAA 1997 where schemes are entered into and the fund incurs a loss, outgoing or expenditure (incl. a nil amount).

The webinar looks at how the NALI provisions will operate in circumstances where the parties are not dealing at arm’s length as it relates to:

• Acquiring assets at less than market value (impacting both statutory and ordinary income)
• Non-arm’s length expenditure (impacting items on both revenue and capital account); and
• Net capital gains (including the impact of the market substitution rules)

The session explores the release of Law Companion Ruling, LCR 2019/D3 and the release of Practical Companion Guidance, PCG 2019/D6.

Webinar slides

The Changing Face of SMSF looks at the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting self-managed super funds (to September 2019)

In this webinar Aaron will take you through:

• An update on Bills before Parliament, including a range of miscellaneous amounts to correct commutation of Market Linked Pensions, Death Benefit Rollovers and the downsizer contribution laws.
• ATO updates including the issuing of LCR 2019/D3 and PCG 2019/D6 on the changes to the NALI provisions, the release of PCG 2019/D8 that provides relief on the timing of super contributions to the SBSCH, impact of potential indexation of the general transfer balance cap, the latest intel on failing to meet minimum pension requirements with reversionary income streams and why the ATO states that 0 – 100% is not an acceptable investment strategy; and
• A summary of the outstanding legislation at the end of the 2019 year.

Super unpacked is a webinar jointly held by Smarter SMSF and Holley Nethercote Lawyers (HN Law) where Aaron Dunn & Kath Bowler together unpacked the latest issues within superannuation, providing key insights into both the technical implications but importantly how it impacts you as either a licensed or unlicensed professional working with SMSF clients.

In this webinar, the topics explored included:

• Decisions to be made once a death has occurred
• Bushfire related activities and advice

Webinar slides

The Changing Face of SMSF is a one-hour webinar that takes an in-depth look at the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting self-managed super funds.

In this quarterly update webinar, Aaron explores:

• The latest tracking a legislation in Parliament
• Treasury exposure draft on improving flexibility of super for older Australians
• Updated ATO guidance on investment strategies
• Intermediary LRBAs
• Details about the ATO’s review of enforcement action
• Trustee alerts regarding changes within SMSFs and more

Webinar slides and workbook

In this session, Aaron Dunn and Rebecca Oakes, Technical Manager at Act2 Solutions take a practical approach to addressing the most common issues and strategy considerations around EPCI within an SMSF.

This session explores a range of topics including:

• Understanding the eligibility requirements for an SMSF to use the segregated method
• How ECPI is calculated for SMSFs will full non-retirement phase periods
• COVID-19 considerations, including tips and traps with capital losses
• An update on proposed ECPI measures expected to take effect from 1 July 2020

A highly interactive session, we encourage you to work through a range of the scenarios setup for attendees to help gain an understanding of these common scenarios and misconceptions.

Webinar slides

The Changing Face of SMSF is a one-hour webinar that takes an in-depth look at the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting self-managed super funds.

In this quarterly update webinar, Aaron explores:

• The legislation tracking on the latest superannuation measures
• COVID-19 economic response measures
• ATO updates, including COVID-19 FAQs
• Mandatory code of conduct for commercial tenancies
• Electronic execution of company documents
• Recent appeal decision of Marsella v Wareham

A comprehensive workbook referencing all of the areas covered within this training is also provided.

The Changing Face of SMSF is a one-hour webinar that takes an in-depth look at the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting self-managed super funds.

In this quarterly update webinar, Aaron explores:

• The legislation tracking on the latest superannuation measures
• An update on the latest COVID-19 economic response measures, including rent relief, LRBA relief, and electronic signing extensions
• Various ATO updates, including impact of legislative in-house asset instrument dealing with rental deferrals, along with dealing with excess minimum pension amounts.
• Recent decision of Re SB; Ex Parte AC and implications of the role of an Enduring Power of Attorney within a SMSF

A comprehensive workbook referencing all of the areas covered within this training is also provided.

The Changing Face of SMSF takes a look at the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting the SMSF sector over the past quarter to June 2021. In this webinar, Aaron explored a number of key areas including:

1. Legislative state of play;
2. Exploring the Federal Budget measures that will impact SMSFs;
3. Current Treasury consultations, including red-tape ECPI measures;
4. ATO updates including Div 7A requirements for related party LRBAs, implementation of SuperStream for rollovers and release authorities;
5. Recent WA case law challenging validity of BDBNs within an SMSF.

As part of the webinar, attendees can access of copy of the slides and comprehensive workbook, providing further information about the topics covered within the session.

The Changing Face of SMSF takes a look at the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting the SMSF sector over the past quarter to September 2021. In this webinar, Aaron explored a number of key areas including:

1. Legislative state of play;
2. Current Treasury consultations and Bills, including finalisation of red-tape ECPI measures, electronic execution measures update, and details of the retirement income covenant;
3. ATO updates including proposed additional COVID-19 relief for SMSFs, the finalisation of LCR 2021/2, and implementation of SuperStream for rollovers and release authorities;
4. Other updates including the finalisation of regulations provide commercial tenancy relief in Victorian due to extended lock downs, and guidance of the work test for individuals eligible various COVID payments.

As part of the webinar, attendees can access of copy of the slides and comprehensive workbook, providing further information about the topics covered within the session.

The Changing Face of SMSF takes a look at the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting the SMSF sector over the past quarter to September 2021. In this webinar, Aaron explored a number of key areas including:

1. Legislative & regulatory state of play;
2. Current Treasury consultations and Bills, including electronic execution measures update, and a detailed look at the budget measures introduced into Parliament.
3. ATO updates including the consultation on a TBAR single reporting framework,  updates on SuperStream for SMSF rollovers and release authorities; and
4. What’s ahead in 2022.

As part of the webinar, attendees can access of copy of the slides and comprehensive workbook, providing further information about the topics covered within the session.

The Changing Face of SMSF takes a look at the latest technical and regulatory issues impacting the SMSF sector over the past quarter to March 2022. In this webinar, Aaron explored a number of key areas including:

1. Legislative & regulatory state of play;
2. Current Treasury consultations and Bills, including the Federal Budget measures.
3. ATO updates including draft guidance on breaches of payment standards, extension of COVID IHA exclusion, an update to PCG2016/5 and temporary relief for SuperStream rollovers from a SMSF.

As part of the webinar, attendees can access of copy of the slides and comprehensive workbook, providing further information about the topics covered within the session.

The SMSF Tax planning webinar explores a range of tips, traps and strategies to work through with your SMSF clients in the lead up to 30 June 2022. This webinar recording explores a range of topics including:

1. Contributions planning;
2. SMSF income stream planning
3. LRBAs, investment rules and restrictions; and
4. A range of final ‘checks and balances’ for year end.

The SMSF Tax planning webinar explores a range of tips, traps and strategies to work through with your SMSF clients in the lead up to 30 June 2023.

In this webinar Aaron Dunn & Tim Miller explored a range of topics including:

1. Contributions planning;
2. LRBAs, investment rules and restrictions; and
3. SMSF income stream planning
4. A range of final ‘checks and balances’ for year end.

Super unpacked is a webinar jointly hosted by Aaron Dunn and Kath Bowler (HN Law) that unpacks the latest issues within SMSFs and superannuation, providing key insights into a range of topics regarding the technical implications, but also importantly how it impacts you as either a licensed or unlicensed professional working with SMSF clients.

1. Year end tax planning;
2. Themes & issues from the SMSF Association National Conference; and
3. Quality of Advice Review

A significant number of SMSFs have been directly impacted by the economic response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has impaired the fund’s value.

This webinar explores a range of COVID-19 implications when preparing the 2020 financial statements for SMSFs, including:

• Correct treatment of withdraws by pension members factoring in the 50% temporary reduced minimum pension
• How to account for any rental deferrals provided in accordance with the Mandatory Code of Conduct or other arm’s length terms.
• How to account for any LRBA relief that has been granted in line with the ATO’s guidance.

Delivered through a range of practical examples, it provides important insight for professionals undertaking the accounting of the SMSF client’s work to 30 June 2020.

Webinar slides

Super unpacked is a webinar jointly held by Smarter SMSF and Holley Nethercote Lawyers (HN Law) where Aaron Dunn & Kath Bowler together unpacked the latest issues within superannuation, providing key insights into both the technical implications but importantly how it impacts you as either a licensed or unlicensed professional working with SMSF clients.

In this webinar, the topics explored included:

• Indexation of the contribution caps
• Death of a family member
• Updating trust deeds

Webinar slides

• Contributions
• Income Streams
• LRBAs
• Investment rules & restrictions

Webinar slides

The ATO has finalised its views on the much anticipated non-arm’s length income ruling that explores expenditure incurred under a non-arm’s length arrangement.

This ruling LCR 2021/2, provides clarity on a number of important issues impacting practitioners that must be considered for various internal arrangements where services are performed that are provided for free or at less than what is arm’s length.

In this webinar recording, Aaron will take you through the implications of this ruling and explore:

• the application of the NALE provisions
• purchasing of an asset under a non-arm’s length arrangement
• the capacity in which activities are performed in a SMSF and whether dealings are on a non-arm’s length basis
• expenditure relating to a fund as beneficiary of a trust, and
• the application of the market substitution rules.

The session works through a number of examples and scenarios for consideration and provide some insight into the actions that will need to be taken in the lead up to 1 July 2022.

Webinar slides

In this session, Aaron Dunn helps attendees to understand many of the important aspects in a fund’s trust deed.  Not all SMSF deeds are the same - therefore it is important that as a practitioner you can identify potential issues to ensure compliance with the superannuation and tax laws in addition to helping manage client risks.

This webinar explores:

• The Trust & SIS laws
• The different approaches to voting decisions within a SMSF deed
• Decisions in managing and operating the fund
• How often should I update a fund’s trust deed?

Webinar slides

Over the past few years, the Federal Budget has remained relatively quiet on the superannuation (and SMSFs) front, mostly due to the Government’s election commitment to not tinker further with super.

In this year's Federal Budget (2021-22), we have seen the Government announce a number of proposed super measures – importantly, all positive that create greater flexibility with contributions and finally address a number of SMSF specific measures that the sector has been demanding to reform for some time.

This webinar explores the measures announced by the Government how they impact SMSFs, including:

• Increase to First Home Super Saver Scheme
• Reducing the age for downsizer contributions
• Repealing the work test for voluntary contributions
• Removing the $450 threshold
• SMSF legacy pension conversion
• Relaxing the SMSF residency rules

Webinar slides

Insurance within an SMSF provides a number of important challenges and strategic opportunities with both premiums and proceeds.

In this webinar recording, Aaron Dunn explores a number of considerations about insurance within a SMSF, including:

• Deductibility of insurance premiums within a SMSF
• The obligation to consider insurance as part of an SMSF investment strategy
• Dealing with insurance proceeds in the event of death & disability
• Claiming of the future service deduction
• Dealing with Terminal Illness

Webinar slides

In this webinar, we put the SMSF deductions under the microscope, where Aaron Dunn explores the various types of deductions available within an SMSF.  The session recording explores:

• Operating expenses
• Investment related expenses
• Tax-related expenses
• Legal expenses (incl. deed amendments)
• Statutory fees and levies
• Otherwise deductible expenses, such as insurance premiums
• Future service deductions
• How ECPI impacts the claiming of certain deductions

The webinar will also visit the Commissioner’s updated views expressed in TR 93/17.

Webinar slides

Aaron Dunn & Kath Bowler (HN Law) host this half-yearly webinar as together they unpack the latest issues within SMSFs and superannuation, providing key insights into a range of topics regarding the technical implications, but also importantly how it impacts you as either a licensed or unlicensed professional working with SMSF clients.

This session explores:

• Adding a fund member (New 6 member SMSF definition)
• The impact of the new SuperStream measures that apply to rollovers into and from SMSFs
• Electronic execution of documents; and
• DDO obligations for SMSFs (and PDSs)

Webinar slides