Super and death case studies part 1 – pre-death withdrawals
This article is the first in a three-part series setting out practical solutions to common issues in super, tax and estate planning, with a particular focus on the tax impact of payments to beneficiaries.
Part 1 of our series looks at how withdrawing super benefits before death can form part of a member’s overall estate planning.
The constitutional validity of the FTDT
Victory International– Hybrid unit trusts subject to landholder duty
All Things Being Equal in the Estate Plan – Then There’s the Tax
With the best of intentions an estate plan often sets out to treat the beneficiaries on equal terms. However, it may not be until the estate is being administered that tax rears its head in some form or another so that one beneficiary’s share is diminished by the potential tax consequences attached to a certain asset including superannuation.
Sladen Legal’s Succession Planning team Recognised In Doyles Guide Victoria 2025
Doyle’s Guide is a comprehensive and independent directory which showcases Australia’s best firms and lawyers. The 2025 listing of leading Victorian Wills, Estates & Succession Planning Law Firms details law firms practising within the areas of Wills, Estates and Succession Planning matters in the Victorian legal market who have been identified by their peers for their expertise and abilities in these areas.
How Do You NALE NALI? Understanding Non-Arm’s Length Dealings in SMSFs
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has made it clear: when a self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) receives services or assets on non-commercial terms - or fails to incur necessary expenses - the result can be harsh. Non-arm’s length expenditure (NALE) can trigger nonarm’s length income (NALI), exposing the fund to significant tax consequences.
Federal Court Ruling Highlights Risks of Unsubstantiated Franchise Forecasts
Uber Case – Payments made to drivers are deemed to be wages for payroll tax purposes
The New South Wales Court of Appeal has held that payments made to Uber drivers are deemed to be wages for payroll tax purposes under the relevant contract provisions.
In particular, the drivers provided services to Uber under their driving contracts. The driving contracts governed or controlled the driver’s performance. The driving services were not ancillary to the use of the vehicles. Uber was not successful in challenging the earlier decisions of Optical Superstore and Thomas and Naaz – in particular, the payments made to derivers were “paid or payable” by Uber.
Update on Franchise Non-compliance Enforcement Activity: Cash Converters, Mobile Travel Agents and RAMS franchise systems
The ACCC has issued penalties to Cash Converters and Mobile Travel Agents for breaching the Franchising Code of Conduct by failing to update required information on the Franchise Disclosure Register.
Post the ASIC civil penalty proceedings against RAMS Financial Group over alleged systemic misconduct in its home loan operations a class action by former franchisees is now seeking to intervene in the ASIC matter, citing overlapping factual issues and concerns over reliance on Westpac’s internal findings. #franchising #disclosure #franchisor_liability
Division 7A and UPEs: only mostly dead
July 2025 Sladen Legal Promotions
FCT v Bendel: one more piece but uncertainty remains
On 12 June 2025, the High Court granted the Commissioner special leave to appeal the decision of the Full Federal Court in FCT v Bendel [2025] FCAFC 15 (Full Court Decision) that we wrote about here.
New South Wales case causes rethink on drafting of trust exclusion clauses
A New South Wales case has opened up a risk of taxpayers to surcharge rates of stamp duty and land tax for residential land held in family trusts where badly drafted foreign person exclusion clauses have been used. This may require a complete review of all trust deeds to ensure that additional stamp duty and land tax imposts are not incurred.
Licenced to operate: What the ASIC v RAMS litigation offers about licence models applying to franchise systems
The Schaper report in December 2023 recommended further evaluation of the merits of replacing the Franchising Code of Conduct with a licensing regime. This recommendation arose after a submission to the review by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Without detail of what a licensing regime may look like there is uncertainty about what any licensing regime may require. The recent case of ASIC v RAMS however provides an illustration of the effect a licensing regime may have on a franchisors. Click here to read more.
#franchising #licensing #franchisor_liability
Sladen Snippet - New Victorian Penalty Tax regime to hit taxpayers
The State Government has introduced a new bill to State Parliament to implement changes from the 2025-2026 Victorian State Budget. Despite a promise of no new taxes or increased taxes, a new 50% penalty tax rate allows the State Revenue to impose higher penalties if it considers a taxpayer or their adviser has been “reckless”.
Family trust distribution tax
Imprecise Contracts and Good Faith: Lessons from Beecham Motors Pty Ltd v General Motors Holden Australia NSC Pty Ltd
The language used in a contract can significantly impact its enforceability. Reliance on the incorporation of an obligation to act in good faith will not necessarily result in an outcome sought. This was considered in the recent Supreme Court decision in Beecham Motors Pty Ltd v General Motors Holden Australia NSC Pty Ltd, which provides guidance for those with or considering a franchise agreement and the drafters of franchise agreements. #franchise_agreements #good_faith #franchisee_group_action
