OK so here we are already in the last quarter and with only 3 months to the end of the financial year to get our fund in order and ensure we are making the most of the strategies available to us. Here is a check-list of the most important issues that you should address with your advisers well before the year-end.

1.       It’s all about timing!

First thing to note is that June 30^th falls on a Sunday this year so forget about doing anything for your fund after the 27^th as funds transferred from Friday the 28^th are unlikely to hit an account before the 1^st July.

2.       Review  Your Concessional Contributions – 25K!, yes only 25K,  yes 25K max

Maximise contributions up to concessional contribution cap but do not exceed the 25 K Concession Limits that applies to everyone who is eligible to contribute this year.  Excess contributions tax is nasty and should always be avoided. So check employer contributions on normal pay and bonuses, salary sacrifice and premiums for insurance in super as they may all be included in the limit.

3.        Review your Non-Concessional Contributions

Have you considered making non-concessional contributions to move investments in to super and out of your personal, company or trust name.  May you have proceeds from and inheritance or sale of a property sitting in cash. As shares and cash have increased in value you may find that personal tax provisions are increasing and moving some assets to super may help control your tax bill.  Are you nearing 65, then consider your contribution timing strategy to take advantage of the “bring forward” provisions before turning age 65 to contribute up to $450,000.

4.       Co-Contribution

Check your eligibility for the co-contribution and if you are eligible take advantage.  Note that the rules have changed and are very different from previous years. To calculate the super co-contribution you could be eligible to receive based on your income and personal super contributions, use the Super co-contribution calculator.

5.       Spouse Contribution

If your spouse has assessable income plus reportable fringe benefits totalling less than $10,800 then consider making a spouse contribution. Check out the ATO guidance here

6.       Over 65? Do you meet the work test? (The 40 hours in any 30 days rule)

You should review your ability to make contributions as if you If you have reached age 65 you must pass the work test of 40 hours in any 30 day period, in order to continue to make contributions to super. Check out ATO Age Related contribution guidance

7.       Check any payments you may have made on behalf of the fund.

It is important that you check for amounts that may form a superannuation contribution in accordance with TR 2010/1 (ask your advisor), such as expenses paid for on behalf of the fund, debt forgiveness or in-specie contributions, insurance premiums for cover via super paid from outside the fund.

8.       Notice Of Intent To Claim A Deduction

If you are planning on claiming a tax deduction for personal concessional contributions you must have a valid ‘notice of intent to claim a tax deduction’.  If you intend to start a pension this notice must be made before you commence the pension.

9.        Contributions Splitting

Consider splitting contributions with your spouse, especially if your family has one main income earner with a substantially higher balance. This is a simple no cost strategy I recommend everyone look at especially with the Government moving on taxing higher balance accounts. See my blog about this strategy here.

10.   Off Market Share Transfers (selling shares from your own name to your fund)

The proposed ban on Off-Market transfer of shares into a SMSF has been dropped. YEAH!  If you want to move any shareholdings into super you should still act early. Here is the Standard Form for Computershare and here is the Link Market Services Form

11.   Pension Payments

If you are in pension phase, ensure the minimum pension has been taken.  For transition to retirement pensions, ensure you have not taken more than 10% of your opening account balance this financial year.

The minimum payment amounts have been by 25% for the 2012-13 years. The following table shows the minimum percentage factor (indicative only) for each age group.

Sacrificial Lamb

Think about having a sacrificial lamb, a second lower value pension that can sacrificed if minimum not taken. In this way if you pay only a small amount less than the minimum you only have to lose the smaller pensions concession rather than the concession on your full balance. When combined with the ATO relief discussed in the following article “What-happens-if-i-don’t-take-the-minimum-pension”  you will have a buffer for mistakes.

12.    Reversionary Pension is often the preferred option to pass funds to a spouse or dependent child.

You should Review your pension documentation and check if you have nominated a reversionary pension.  If not, consider your family situation and options to have a reversionary pension. This is especially important with blended families and children from previous marriages that may contest your current spouse’s rights to your assets. Also consider reversionary pensions for dependent disabled children

13.   Review Capital Gains Tax Position of each investment

Review any capital gains made during the year and over the term you have held the asset and consider disposing of investments with unrealised losses to offset the gains made. If in pension phase then consider triggering some capital gains regularly to avoid building up an unrealised gain that may be at risk to government changes in legislation like those proposed this year.

14.   Review and Update the Investment Strategy not forgetting to include Insurance of Members

Review your investment strategy and ensure all investments have been made in accordance with it, and the funds deed.  Also, make sure your investment strategy has been updated to include consideration of insurances for members. See my article of this subject here. Don’t know what to do..call us.

15.    Collate and Document records of all asset movements and decisions

Ensure all the funds activities have been appropriately documented with minutes, and that all copies of all statements and schedules are on file for your accountant/administrator and auditor.

16.   June Contributions Deductible this year but can be allocated across 2 years.

For those who may have a large taxable income this year and are expecting a lower taxable next year you should consider a contribution allocation strategy to maximise deductions for the current financial year. This strategy is also known as a “Contributions Reserving” strategy but the ATO are not fans of Reserves so best to avoid that wording!

17.   Market Valuations

Regulations now require assets to be valued at market value each year, ensure that you have re-valued assets such as property and collectables. Here is a good article by Liz Westover of the Institute of Chartered Accountants on the subject.

18.   In-House Assets

If your fund has any investments in in-house assets you must make sure that at all times the market value of these investments is less than 5% of the value of the fund. Do not take this rule lightly as the new penalty regime will make it easier for the ATO to apply fines for smaller misdemeanours.

19.   TPD Insurance (Total Permanent Disability – basically “never work again” insurance)

Have you reviewed your insurances inside and outside of super? Check your TPD policies owned by the fund for own occupation definition as the rules about deductibility for these policies have changed. Here is a link to a good article about this subject from Money Management

• 20.   Do you need to update to a Corporate Trustee  

We recommend a corporate trustee to all clients.  To understand why please read this article on Why SMSFs should have a Corporate Trustee

21.   Check the ownership details of all SMSF Investments

Make sure the assets of the fund are held in the name of the trustees on behalf of the fund and that means all of them. Check carefully any online accounts you may have set up without checking the exact ownership details.  You have to ensure all SMSF assets are kept separate from your other assets.

22. Review Estate Planning and Loss of Mental Capacity Strategies.

Review any Binding Death Benefit Nominations (BDN) to ensure they are valid and still in accordance with your wishes.  Also ensure you have appropriate Enduring Power of Attorney’s (EPOA) in place allow someone to step in to your place as Trustee in the event of mental incapacity or death. Do you know what your Deed says on the subject?

23. Review any SMSF Loans

Have you made all the payments on your internal or third-party loans, have you looked at options on prepaying interest or fixing the rates while low. Have you made sure all payments in regards to Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBA) for the year were made through the SMSF Trustee. If you bought a property using borrowing , has the Holding Trust been stamped by your state’s Office of State Revenue.

Don’t leave it until June, review your Self Managed Super Fund now and seek advice if in doubt about any matter.

As always please contact me if you want to look at your own options as we are currently taking on new clients. We have offices in Castle Hill and Windsor but can meet clients anywhere in Sydney or online via Skype.

Liam Shorte B.Bus SSA™ AFP

Financial Planner & SMSF Specialist Advisor™

Tel: 02　98941844, Mobile: 0413 936 299

PO Box 6002 BHBC, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

5/15 Terminus St. Castle Hill NSW 2154

Corporate Authorised Representative of Viridian Select Pty Ltd ABN 41 621 447 345, AFSL 51572

This information has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of this you should, before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. This website provides an overview or summary only and it should not be considered a comprehensive statement on any matter or relied upon as such.