Many will be familiar with the use of bare trusts by SMSFs as part of a limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA), but there are other ways in which an SMSF might invest via a bare trust, providing different structuring opportunities. This article considers the use of ‘non LRBA bare trusts’ by SMSFs and the superannuation law implications.

PayDay Super is now law, with changes effective from 1 July 2026. The reforms introduce a new voluntary disclosure regime and a new penalty framework for non-compliance. Stay ahead of the changes and understand your new obligations.

Increasingly, individuals hold a substantial amount of their wealth within the superannuation system. Productivity Commission research paper, Wealth transfers and their economic effects, December 2021 provides as follows:

A reasonable period has elapsed since the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) issued its guidance material (Taxation Ruling TR 2022/4 and Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2022/2) on the application of section 100A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (ITAA 1936), dealing with reimbursement agreements. So, where are we now at with this contentious section of the ITAA 1936 and the ATO's compliance approach in practice? This paper investigates further, including:

The ART decision in XLZH v FCT looked at whether pre-CGT assets owned by a discretionary trust kept that status under Division 149 and to the extent to which ATO Ruling IT 2430 can be relied upon in applying Division 149.

#CGT, #Division 149, #discretionary trusts, #Tax, #IT 2430

The recent Federal Court decision in ASIC v Darranda Pty Ltd [2024] FCA 1015 highlights that where a franchisor designs the systems, documents or marketing used by franchisees, it may be held liable for regulatory breaches in its network, even without direct dealings with consumers.

#franchising #franchisorliability #ASIC #RegulatoryCompliance

New Division 296 tax, as outlined in a Treasury Fact Sheet, includes two indexed thresholds ($3 million and $10 million) and taxation on realised (not unrealised) earnings from 1 July 2026. However, critical details about how realised earnings will be calculated—particularly regarding pre-1 July 2026 gains—remain unclear.

Sladen Legal congratulates Alicia Hill, Principal, for her recognition as a Recommended Lawyer in Franchising in the 2025 Lexology Index

Division 296 tax to be amended to remove taxation of unrealised capital gains, according to a media release by Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

Over the course of ownership of a property, its use or intention for use can change, and depending on what that change is, there can be significant income tax implications that need to be addressed. This paper looks at some of those changes and the tax consequences that can follow, including:

The court has powers under legislation and under its inherent supervisory jurisdiction to vary trusts to ensure that they may be duly executed in certain circumstances.

The 28 August 2025 decision of the Court of Appeal of New South Wales in Netdeen Pty Ltd (t/as GJ Gardner Homes) v Lindfield NSW Pty Ltd[i] highlights several important considerations for franchisees and franchisors alike when changing a business structure.

Franchisors should have consideration to the impact that this may have on their existing contractual obligations. Franchisees need to be aware of whether their existing agreements allow for this possibility and consider this prior to entering into a franchise agreement.

The decision also highlights the importance of clear drafting in contracts, even where there has been ostensible agreement between the parties.

The article explains the arguments contained in the parties’ submissions to the High Court in the appeal by the Commissioner of Taxation (Commissioner) from the Full Federal Court’s (Full Court) decision in Commissioner of Taxation v Bendel [2025] FCAFC 15 (Bendel). 

This article is the third 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 3 of our series looks at the tax issues which should be considered when paying death benefits in specie, including capital gains tax and the super ‘death tax’.

Sladen Legal has been recognised as a Third Tier Leading Tax Law Firm in Victoria for 2025 by Doyle's Guide. Doyle's Guide is a respected and independent directory that highlights Australia’s top firms and legal professionals.

This article is the second 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.

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.

This article questions the constitutional validity of family trust distribution tax, arguing that it functions more as a penalty than a tax.

The Victorian Supreme Court has held that acquisitions of units in hybrid unit trusts are potentially subject to landholder duty.

The case has wide impact with potentially absurd outcomes for some taxpayers.

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.