Pioneering thought — Sladen Legal

Phil Broderick

Sladen Snippet – Gainer Part 5 – SMSF trustee director remuneration

Sladen Snippet – Gainer Part 5 – SMSF trustee director remuneration

In this fifth part of our series on the decision of In the matter of Gainer Associates Pty Limited [2024] NSWSC 1138, we examine Gainer’s request for the Court’s advice as to whether it would be justified to remunerate Mr Heesh for his time and efforts in acting as sole director of Gainer in its role as the corporate trustee for a self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) and, if so, at which rate and whether the remuneration could be for some or all of the work completed by Mr Heesh.

Sladen Snippet – Gainer Part 3 – seeking advice to defend trustee removal proceedings

Sladen Snippet – Gainer Part 3 – seeking advice to defend trustee removal proceedings

In the decision of In the matter of Gainer Associates Pty Limited [2024] NSWSC 1138, the Court amongst other things gave advice that the self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) trustee would be justified in defending the removal proceedings to be brought against it by Mr Bone, the partner of the deceased member of the SMSF.

SMSFs and NALE That Triggers NALI Let's Get Specific

SMSFs and NALE  That Triggers NALI  Let's Get Specific

Non-arm’s length income (NALI) has been a hot topic of discussion and debate in the SMSF industry in recent years, in particular since the ATO first released their draft ruling on non-arm’s length expenditure (NALE) in 2018 (and its subsequent iterations). Recently, the long debated amendments to NALE provisions were passed in Parliament and received Royal Assent in June 2024.

Sladen Snippet – Gainer Part 2 – The death benefit decision

Sladen Snippet – Gainer Part 2 – The death benefit decision

In the decision of In the matter of Gainer Associates Pty Limited [2024] NSWSC 1138, the Court amongst other things gave advice to uphold the decision of the self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) trustee to distribute 1/3rd of the death benefits in the SMSF to a partner of the sole surviving SMSF member and 2/3rd to her estate.

Sladen Snippet – Gainer Part 1 – When Court advice may be given to an SMSF trustee

Sladen Snippet – Gainer Part 1 – When Court advice may be given to an SMSF trustee

In the decision of In the matter of Gainer Associates Pty Limited [2024] NSWSC 1138, the Court amongst other things gave advice to uphold the decision of the self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) trustee to distribute 1/3rd of the death benefits in the SMSF to the spouse of the sole surviving SMSF member and 2/3rd to her estate.

Sladen Snippet - ATO attempts to read down loss in Merchant disqualification decision

Sladen Snippet - ATO attempts to read down loss in Merchant disqualification decision

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued a draft Decision Impact Statement (DIS) on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) decision of Merchant and Commissioner of Taxation [2024] AATA 1102 (which was decided on 16 May 2024) (Merchant).

 

Sladen Snippet: Armidale Jockey Club - Racing clubs “clearance house” liable to pay superannuation guarantee to jockeys

Sladen Snippet: Armidale Jockey Club - Racing clubs “clearance house” liable to pay superannuation guarantee to jockeys

This Decision of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) is a series of decisions against five jockey racing clubs brought by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) regarding whether the racing clubs must pay super contributions on behalf of jockeys under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (SG Act).

Sladen Snippet - TD 2024/5 - How NALI is calculated for capital gains

Sladen Snippet - TD 2024/5 - How NALI is calculated for capital gains

Following the passing of changes to non-arm’s length expenditure (NALE) rules through Parliament on 25 Jun 2024, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has finalised its Taxation Determination TD 2024/5 (previously Draft TD 2023/D1).

Sladen Snippet – NALE changes pass parliament

Sladen Snippet – NALE changes pass parliament

After a number of years in the making, the changes to the non-arm’s length expenses (NALE) rules have now passed through Parliament. While, as previously noted, the changes did not go far enough for many of the tax industry, and accounting bodies, the changes offer some relief to taxpayers.

Water Pipeline Subject To Duty As “Goods” For The Purpose Of The New South Wales Landholder Duty Provisions in Conexa Syndey Holdings

Water Pipeline Subject To Duty As “Goods” For The Purpose Of The New South Wales Landholder Duty Provisions in Conexa Syndey Holdings

On 24 May 2024 the New South Wales Supreme Court held that landholder duty applied to value of a water carrying pipeline in Conexa Sydney Holdings Pty Ltd v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue (2024] NSWSC 628.

Sladen Snippet – Merristock – primary production exemption applies as trust can beneficially own shares

Sladen Snippet – Merristock – primary production exemption applies as trust can beneficially own shares

In a case run by Sladen Legal, Merristock Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue (Review and Regulation) [2024] VCAT 535, the taxpayer has successfully appealed against a Victorian State Revenue Office (SRO) determination that land owned by the taxpayer was not eligible for the primary production land tax exemption.

Sladen snippet - S&H Investments - Company cannot contract out of super guarantee

Sladen snippet - S&H Investments - Company cannot contract out of super guarantee

In the decision of S&H Investments Pty Ltd and Commissioner of Taxation [2024] AATA 893, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), the Tribunal affirmed the decision of the Commissioner of Taxation to assess the taxpayer for the superannuation guarantee charge for failing to pay superannuation for their employee/contractor referred to as “TW”.

Sladen Snippet - ATO attempts to read down NALI defeat in BPFN decision

Sladen Snippet - ATO attempts to read down NALI defeat in BPFN decision

As noted previously, the recent Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) decision of BPFN and Commissioner of Taxation (Taxation) [2023] AATA 2330 (28 July 2023) (BPFN) had struck a blow to the ATO’s strict approach to non-arm’s length income (NALI) and taken a more general commercial approach to NALI.

Mackie– Contributions count when cleared funds are received, not when you press send – no special circumstances

Mackie– Contributions count when cleared funds are received, not when you press send – no special circumstances

In the decision of Mackie v Commissioner of Taxation (Taxation) [2024] AATA 619 (3 April 2024), the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (Tribunal) affirmed the decision of the Commissioner to decline to exercise the discretion in section 291-465(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth) (ITAA 97) to disregard or allocate to another year the taxpayer’s concessional superannuation contributions.

Sladen Snippet - Tratter - non-binding nomination considered but not followed

Sladen Snippet - Tratter - non-binding nomination considered but not followed

In the decision of Tratter v Aware Super [2024] FCAFC 36 the Full Federal Court dismissed the appeal by the deceased super fund member’s mother against the super fund trustee’s apportionment of 30% to the mother and 70% to the deceased’s de facto spouse.

Victoria’s new commercial and industrial property tax – a tale of two regimes

Victoria’s new commercial and industrial property tax – a tale of two regimes

As we’ve noted previously, commercial and industrial properties sold or transferred on or from 1July 2024, will enter the new commercial and industrial property regime. Broadly, the regime will operate such that future transfers will not trigger land transfer (stamp) duty but rather the property will be subject to a (further) set of land tax, known as commercial and industrial property tax (CIPT).

Stern – Transfer Balance Account calculated to include Defined Benefit Pension – in accordance with the operative provisions, not the guide

Stern – Transfer Balance Account calculated to include Defined Benefit Pension – in accordance with the operative provisions, not the guide

In the decision of Stern v Commissioner of Taxation [2024] FCAFC 21 the Full Federal Court found against the taxpayer, who raised an argument that Division 294 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 97) should not be interpreted such that both his pension was to be commuted under a commutation authority issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) due to his pensions exceeding his transfer balance cap, and that he also must pay excess transfer balance tax for exceeding his transfer balance cap.