As discussed here and here, the superannuation guarantee (SG) amnesty allowed employers to disclose and pay previously unpaid SG charge, including nominal interest, for the quarters between 1 July 1992 to 31 March 2018 without incurring the administration component ($20 per employee per quarter) or Part 7 penalties. In addition, payments of SG charge made to the ATO under the amnesty were tax deductible.

In June 2020, the ATO updated the independent auditor's report instructions (IAR) so that auditors would not need to modify their opinion in Part B of the IAR with respect to certain contraventions arising from the impacts of COVID-19 for the 2019-20 and 2020-2021 financial years.

SMSFs (self managed superannuation funds) have been carrying on property development activities ever since SMSFs came into existence. Yet despite that there is still a common concern that such activities will cause the SMSF to become non-compliant, or subject to penalties, on the basis that such activities, and in particular undertaking a property development business, are prohibited.

In the recent decision of Re SB; Ex Parte AC [2020] QSC 139, the Supreme Court of Queensland confirmed that the decision to make a binding death benefit nomination (‘BDBN’) is a financial matter and can therefore be made for a person by their administrator.

SMSFs (self managed superannuation funds) have been carrying on business and business like activities ever since SMSFs came into existence. Yet despite that there is still a common concern that such activities will cause the SMSF to become non-compliant, or subject to penalties, on the basis that such activities are prohibited.

Self-managed superannuation funds and bare trusts — investment in the underlying asset or in-house asset issue?

Members and trustees of self managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) will sometimes become estranged because of disputes involving their family or business relationships.

In anticipation of the conclusion of the superannuation guarantee (SG) amnesty (discussed here) on 7 September 2020, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released a draft Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2020/D1 (PSLA 2020/D1) in relation to how, post amnesty, the ATO officers may exercise their discretion to remit Part 7 penalties.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released a welcome draft legislative instrument, Self Managed Superannuation Funds (COVID-19 Rental income deferrals - In-house Asset Exclusion) Determination 2020 (SPR 2020/D2), that will exclude COVID-19 related rental deferrals from being ‘loans’ under the in-house asset rules.

In the recent decision of Dental Corporation Pty Ltd v Moffet [2020] FCAFC 118 (16 June 2020) , the Full Federal Court found that a dentist fell within the extended definition of ‘employee’ under s12(3) of the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth) (SG Act). Section 12(3) broadly provides that an employee is a person who is working ‘under a contract that is wholly or principally for the labour of the person.’

In the recent decision of R -v- T [2020] WASCA 109, the Western Australia (WA) Court of Appeal has upheld interim property orders of the WA Family Court to set aside contributions made by a de facto husband to an SMSF.

If a member calls for a super benefit before they die but pass away before it is paid, when it is subsequently paid to the deceased member’s account, is the payment a (tax free) member benefit or a (taxable) death benefit?

As part of the broader framework of the JobKeeper scheme (discussed here) established by the Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Rules 2020, the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Amendment (Jobkeeper Payment) Regulations 2020 (Amending Regulations) have now been made.

A hot topic for SMSF trustees during the COVID-19 crises is whether SMSF trustees that hold land can offer rent relief to their tenants, in particular to related tenants, without breaching the superannuation laws.

As previously discussed here, the ATO has now finalized the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) In-house Asset Determination — Intermediary Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement Determination 2020 (Determination).

As part of the 2019-20 Budget and as previous discussed here, the Australian Government announced that Australians over age 65 would have greater flexibility in making voluntary concessional and non-concessional superannuation contributions from 1 July 2020.

As part of the continued economic response to COVID-19, the Deputy Commissioner of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has recently made a determination pursuant to subsection 20(4) of the Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Act 2020, outlining further tests under which an entity may satisfy the decline in turnover required in order to receive JobKeeper payments. This article discusses the various new “alternative” tests that an entity may utilise under the determination.

On 9 April 2020, the JobKeeper legislation received Royal Assent and the Treasurer issued the Rules that govern eligibility for JobKeeper until the schemes planned end on 27 September 2020. This article sets out the operation of the JobKeeper scheme.

Further to our previous articles on COVID-19 superannuation measures that we discussed here and here, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced further superannuation relief measures.

Further to the COVID-19 superannuation measures that we discussed here, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), on 3 April 2020, announced further details around, and new measures concerning, COVID-19 and superannuation.