I run regular sessions educating Trustees in small groups on how to utilise their SMSF and to avoid common mistakes so I thought I should share the more common ones. Self managed superannuation funds can be kept simple or they can involve very complex strategies. The superannuation system has many rules and regulations that members need to adhere to.  To ensure that you avoid the traps when it comes to self managed superannuation read on! 

1.    Jumping in too early with a low balance.

Unless you expect to make regular large contributions in the coming years or expect to put a large lump sum (e.g. inheritance) in soon, the administration fees of maintaining a Self Managed Superannuation Fund will erode away any profits and may also eat into your contributions.  The general agreed rule of thumb among honest SMSF professionals for a minimum balance for a Self Managed Superannuation Fund would be $200k. This would only be on the proviso you would be making contributions at or near your concessional cap depending on your age and that you may also be adding some non-concessional funds on a regular basis so that your fund has $400-$500K within 3-5 years.

If there are 2-4 members that are contributing to the fund with frequently largely sized contributions this can justify the use of a self managed superannuation fund earlier.  Just remember that generally it costs around $2,200.00 per annum in auditing, accounting, tax agents fees and ASIC fees for the fund as well as a general 1% investment fee.

2.    Failing to educate yourself first, before you open your fund so you know the basic SMSF rules.

Self managed superannuation funds can be very complex, if you do not know the basic rules of a fund and you are not using a fund administrator like an Accountant or a specialised service, you are asking for trouble! As the number of self managed superannuation funds increase rapidly the ATO as regulators will begin to take a stronger position.  Currently non compliant funds can lose up to 46.5% of the funds assets to tax plus fines for the Trustees!

There is jargon like concessional and non=concessional contributions and tax free and taxable components so take the time to understand them.

The main reasons of funds losing their compliance status is due to providing loans members. Anyone who has just started a self managed superannuation fund whether they have a manager or not that controls the funds should know the basic rules.

Here are some places to start:

ATO central access point for information on SMSFs  http://www.ato.gov.au/super/self-managed-super-funds/

The SMSF Association is pleased to provide you with this ATO SMSF Trustee online resource. ATO approved SMSF Trustee Education Program

By the end of this course, you will have learnt;

• The basic facts about Superannuation and Self-Managed Superannuation Funds
• How an SMSF works
• The investment rules for SMSFs
• The administration process to keep your SMSF healthy.

http://www.smsftrustee.com/ The Self Managed Superannuation Fund Trustee Education Program has been released by the Joint Accounting Bodies

We run regular seminars on educational topics for SMSF Trustees in groups of 6-10 people. Contact us for more details liam@verante.com.au 

 3.    Drawing on your SMSF for business or personal needs – Read and learn to stick by the Sole Purpose Test

Always remember it is your money but not yet! You are receiving generous tax concessions for providing for your retirement. Break the rules and you will lose those concessions! Self managed superannuation funds are not to be used to fund personal or business needs of the members of the fund or their relatives.  While many may be able to justify a small loan for a short period of time there is a total restriction on lending to members of the fund or related parties which may be extended family members or entities such as Family Trusts, Companies or partnerships.

Another example would be if you invested in a holiday resort unit managed independently by a management company and as part of the arrangement, you are entitled to private use of the apartment, 2 weeks per year. This arrangement would breach of the sole purpose test if used by your or any related party.

4.    Arranging for your SMSF to own your business premises without thinking the strategy through to the end

I actually love this strategy but there are positives and negatives to this situation and you will need guidance from your legal, accounting and SMSF Specialist Advisor. Many owners of small to medium enterprises use this as an effective strategy but others do a half-baked job and leave themselves exposed.

Pros:

• Direct control of your super investments and a real understanding of where your money is invested.
• The fund will pay only 15% tax on commercial rent paid
• If the premises is sold no capital gains tax may be applicable once you are in pension phase and 15% or less if earlier.
• You can be your own landlord with secured tenancy which allows you greater certainty when fitting out or installing equipment.
• Keeps liquidity in the business to fund other costs.

Cons:

• There are thousands of dollars in set-up costs and there are sometimes higher fees involved in getting a loan through your SMSF.
• If a member of the fund dies without the proper insurance in place the fund may have to pay out death benefits leading to a rushed sale of the commercial premises.
• If sold to a third-party then there is a possible loss of tenancy to the business which could destroy it.
• There are strategies that can be built to avoid the cons, it is best to speak to an advisor so that they can see what is best for your personal situation.

5.    Choosing the wrong type of Trustee for the job

 76% of funds in this country still have Individual Trustees or a Trading company as trustee when a Sole Purpose Corporate Trustee would be much more suitable for long-term planning.

With individuals as trustees you need to change the name on all investments if one person leaves (divorce, death, Incapacity to act) or you add a new member (bring in a child, business partner or second spouse!). The paperwork involved is time-consuming and expensive just when it usually most inconvenient.

Please see my previous blog on this subject for more detailed discussion on this topic https://smsfcoach.com.au/2012/08/09/trading-company-as-smsf-trustee-or-sole-purpose-smsf-trustee-company/

6.    Failing to plan for death or serious illness of a member

If the fund is run by a husband and wife or run predominantly by one member, if that member passes it could have devastating impact on the remaining member and the self managed superannuation fund.  Strategies should be put in place so that all members involved in the fund understand the rules and regulations as well as the funds investment strategy.

Effort should be made to ensure the “silent” member is aware of and has met the Accountant, Auditor, and Financial Advisor and is comfortable that they could deal with them in the event of needing them. What’s the use in having a city based advisor if your spouse does not feel comfortable driving into the CBD. Choose a local Advisor for your later years.

All shares should be properly Chess sponsored and all members should have access to account numbers and passwords.

Binding Death Nominations and Reversionary Pensions should be reviewed regularly to ensure they still meet your wishes. The idea of leaving 20% to a son or daughter may have been fine when the fund was doing well but is it still a good idea in 2017? Make sure you do not leave your spouse short!

7.     Rolling to a SMSF without maintaining or transferring Insurance First.

One of the most important factors is to undergo a review of current insurances and to have life insurance integrated into your self managed superannuation fund.  When transferring from retail, employer or industry superannuation fund look to get “Transfer Terms” from insurers to open a new policy in the name of the SMSF without extensive underwriting. DO NOT LEAVE THIS UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE ROLLED OVER! Despite your own perception of your health and vigour, you may find it hard to find new cover on the same terms or any terms so preserve what you have. Often we keep a small balance in a retail or industry fund just to continue the insurances in there at the group or discounted rates available.

8.    Getting behind on paperwork

More than just filing statements, trustees are required to document every decision that is made whether this is to make an investment, take out insurance, or change bank accounts. This should come in the form of minutes with details regarding who made the decision, on what day and where the decision was made.

The record keeping requirements of an SMSF can be quite onerous and failing to meet them is an easy way to fall foul of the ATO. Business owners usually have enough paperwork as it is, so paying professionals who can look after your record keeping may make sense for you.

9.    Exceeding the contributions cap

The cap on concessional contributions has changed so often in the last decade that confusion reigns each year.

The cap on concessional contributions for 2018/19  is $25,000. The after tax contributions (non-concessional) is capped at $100,000 per annum

There are a number of ways members can get caught out and exceed the cap. For example,

• if you are paying for life insurance held in another super fund, the insurance premium can be deemed as a contribution. This premium would then be levied at penalty tax rates.

• If your employer made last year’s June Super contribution in July of this year.

We can show you strategies for a couple to get up to $800,000 to $1,200,000 into super in one year by using a mix of contributions and a holding account strategy.

10.  Not having a proper Cash Hub and losing interest and paying unnecessary fees

If you go to your normal bank to set up a bank account for your SMSF, they will most likely suggest that you use a business bank account. These accounts generally have high monthly fees, transaction fees and provide little to no interest.

We estimated the average cash balance of SMSFs to be between $50,000 and $80,000. Based on these figures, by using business bank accounts, trustees may be costing themselves approximately $3,000 per annum in fees and lost interest.

There are better options out there. Look at Macquarie’s Cash Management Account almost matching the RBA cash rate (noting for first $5K). Link these to an ING Direct Savings Maximiser for the Fund or a RaboDirect Notice Saver Account paying up to 1.8 to 2.35% higher for cash. Use 6, 9 and 12 month Term Deposits where funds are not needed short-term.

Make sure all accounts are opened correctly in the name of all trustees. Get it wrong and it can cost a lot to rectify.

I hope these thoughts  have been helpful and please take the time to comment if you know of others common mistakes as I know this is not an exhaustive list.

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 Advisory Pty Ltd (ABN 34 605 438 042) (AFSL 476223)

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