Category: Feature Archives

Alterations in the 2014 SMSF Annual Return

Trustees and professionals associated with the SMSF trusts will do well to spare a thought for the 2014 SMSF Annual Return. A few changes worth their while makes for interesting reading. For instance, a supervisory levy will be imposable on the trustees, one that will be based on the operational year instead of being counted in arrears.

Trustees will now have to fork out $388 while filing their returns. This amount includes $259 imposable for 2014-15 and $129 imposable for the latter half of 2013-14.

Optimise your Super contributions before June 30

Come the close of the financial year and SMSF trustees begin looking for plans and strategy to maximise their superannuation benefits. Many techniques can be employed to optimise returns by June 30. I know after-tax contributions come to the mind first but they are not the only one in the wings.

Can You Actually Retire On Your Super Fund?

Australians oscillate between dreams of a comfortable retirement and the biting reality of a modest one. Unfortunately, for many their Super fund might not even be enough to hand them over a modest retirement.

What You Need To Know About SMSF Investments

The economic meltdown of 2008 challenged various norms, no less the financial ones. Traditional fortresses of investments capsized and people started hunting for new means to secure their money and future better. Unitised superannuation funds got the stick and in its place the SMSF investments surged ahead in public perception. The fact that 40% of super funds are held in ‘Self-managed’ today tells its own story.

SMSF Wind-up Made Possible by Industry Fund

Just as there are many who would vouch for the way SMSFs have added value to their lives (and portfolios), there are definitely a few who feel that SMSF investment “was a wrong decision and that it did not suit my interests at all”. So where do investors belonging to the latter fraternity go?

Tackling the SMSF Question in Estate Planning

Estate owners often assume death to be a third-party occurrence. Unfortunately then, when they cross the last bridge, they still have a poorly drafted will, no clear direction of passage of benefits and a beeline of relatives fighting for the pie.

How often do you think about how your SMSF investments should be passed on? Have you given this dimension of estate planning a serious thought?