The New $3 Million Super Tax – Do You Need to Worry?
You may have heard about the new tax on super balances over $3 million, known as Division 296 tax. For most people, the key message is simple: If your total super balance is under $3 million, this new tax generally won’t apply to you. The new rules started on 1 July 2026 and apply to […]
What Property Can an SMSF Invest In?
Property is one of the asset classes an SMSF may be able to invest in, but the rules around SMSF property can become complex quite quickly. An SMSF may be able to invest in residential property, commercial property, vacant land and, in some circumstances, units in a property trust. How the property is owned matters. […]
Family SMSFs: Can an SMSF Help Build Family Wealth?
More than 670,000 self-managed super funds (SMSFs) now manage over $1 trillion in retirement savings across Australia. Many Australians choose an SMSF because it allows them to make investment decisions for their own superannuation rather than selecting from the investment options offered by a large super fund. While investment choice is often the initial attraction, […]
Small SMSF Rollovers Don’t Always Tell the Whole Story, Says SMSF Association
Recent commentary about small balance rollovers into self-managed super funds (SMSFs) has prompted concerns that Australians with lower super balances may be making risky financial decisions. However, the SMSF Association says those conclusions are based on incomplete data and fail to consider what is actually happening after the rollover occurs. Looking Beyond the Initial Rollover […]
ATO Releases Updated Guidance on New LRBA Rules
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released updated guidance explaining how the new Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA) rules will apply from 10 August 2026. The guidance confirms that the changes are not retrospective and explains when existing and future LRBAs will be affected. Existing LRBAs The new rules do not apply where an SMSF […]
SMSF Property Borrowing Could Change: Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’ve ever considered buying property through your Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF), there are two important developments you should be aware of. The first is a proposed Government plan to ban new SMSF loans used to purchase residential property. The second is the introduction of stronger Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) requirements that […]
Why SMSF Establishments Will Take Longer and Cost More From 1 July 2026
The Australian Government’s new Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) laws are designed to combat financial crime. While few people would disagree with that broad objective, in practice it is the everyday law-abiding Australian who will ultimately bear much of the cost. For accounting firms, including SMSF specialists like us and other professional advisers, these […]
More Paperwork, More Questions: Australia’s New Anti-Money Laundering Requirements Explained
Why your accountant, broker, adviser and bank are suddenly asking for more information Have you noticed your accountant, broker, adviser or bank asking more questions than ever before? Questions about where your money came from. Why you’re setting up a company or trust. Who controls a business. What you plan to invest in. You’re not […]
Payday Super Is Coming: What It Means for Employees and Employers
For many Australians, superannuation is one of their largest long-term assets. Yet it’s also one of the easiest financial assets to ignore. Many employees only check their super occasionally. Others move jobs regularly and may not realise a contribution has been missed until months — or even years — later. In some cases, unpaid super […]
EOFY 2026 Super Checklist: 7 Moves to Make Before 30 June
As the end of the financial year approaches, many Australians focus on tax returns, deductions and getting their finances in order. One area that deserves attention is superannuation. For many people, super is one of the most effective long-term wealth-building vehicles available. The weeks leading up to 30 June can provide valuable opportunities to review […]