Note: We regularly update this article with the latest data on self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) released by the Australian Taxation Office. This article contains the latest data available up to March 2013 (for data as at December 2012). Each quarter the ATO releases self-managed super … [Read more...]
Note: The ATO publishes an annual report about SMSFs for each financial year. This article covers the latest SMSF performance data available from the ATO, as at February 2012. The ATO will provide updated performance data (for year ending 30 June 2012) in early 2014. A common argument put forward … [Read more...]
Australian and global listed property sectors delivered the biggest returns for the 2012 calendar year (1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012), according to Warren Chant of rating company, Chant West. He says that the strong performance of super funds during 2012 however was driven primarily by the … [Read more...]
Note: The ATO publishes an annual report about SMSFs for each financial year. This article covers the ATO’s 2010-2011 statistical review of SMSFs (released in late December 2012). This report does contain data for the 2011-2012 year as well. The annual report for the 2011-2012 year will be … [Read more...]
If you run a self-managed superannuation fund, you can invest in all types of real property including residential property, commercial property, industrial property and even a farm (under certain circumstances). Before September 2007, the capacity to use borrowed money to purchase an SMSF asset, … [Read more...]
The Australian Tax Office is worried about SMSF trustees and property investing. Although the ATO doesn’t express it in this way, the SMSF regulator is particularly worried about the sheer weight of money controlled by SMSF trustees, and a bit edgy that this financially powerful group of people … [Read more...]
Q: I own a unit as an investment property. I would like to keep this unit as long as possible. The unit is a safe income stream and a safe haven against market uncertainty. However, if I have to sell it later, I won’t be able to put the money into my SMSF because of the work test (as it is … [Read more...]
Q: I am interested in setting up a self-managed fund. I would like to know more about the rules for purchasing property in a super fund, and whether it is possible to use borrowings to do so. Trish’s response: A self-managed (DIY) super fund can invest in all types of property, including … [Read more...]
Q: My wife and I purchased a licensed post office and freehold from Australia Post in the 1990s. In addition to the licence, we acquired one title with one building (part is leased to a commercial tenant and part we use to run the post office. A freestanding shop was added in 2000. The value of … [Read more...]
Q: Could you please advise me if the 45-day holding rule applies to shares held in a SMSF when the fund has accumulated less than $5,000 in franking credits during the entire financial year? A SMSF must hold company shares for at least 45 days (plus the day of purchase and day of disposal) to be … [Read more...]
Q: Can a SMSF buy/sell call/put options? I understand that CFDs are not permitted because it breaches the charge over asset regulation. However, is that true that options are derivatives and in giving shares as a collateral (when writing options) to the Options Clearing House, it will treated … [Read more...]
Read this article to discover the new rules in place for SMSF trustees, and discover what you can do to ensure your SMSF operates within the super laws. New rules are now in place for self-managed super fund rules forcing SMSF trustees to take special care when considering a fund’s investment … [Read more...]
This article contains 2011/2012 performance data for 13 asset classes (or sub-categories). At the end of the article we have included performance data for the 2010/2011 year as a handy historical reference. If you’re a regular reader of the daily newspapers, or an avid watcher of the financial … [Read more...]
Note: Starting date for the potential ban on off-market share transfers has been delayed until July 2013 (from its original start date of 1 July 2012). The federal government quietly ‘announced’ the deferral on 13 July 2012, two weeks after the original proposed start date. After months of … [Read more...]
Note: Every year, the ATO publishes the top compliance mistakes made by SMSF trustees. This article contains data up to 30 June 2011 (latest available as at May 2012). The next update, for compliance data up to 30 June 2012, will be available in April 2013. The ATO has published the top 10 … [Read more...]
