Sladen snippet – High Court refuses leave to appeal finding that dentist is covered by super guarantee

Sladen snippet – High Court refuses leave to appeal finding that dentist is covered by super guarantee

As discussed here, the decision in Dental Corporation Pty Ltd v Moffet [2020] FCAFC 118 (16 June 2020) (Moffet) marked an important shift in how the courts have interpreted the employee/contractor distinction for the purposes of superannuation guarantee obligations.

Sladen Snippet - ATO to resume super guarantee compliance action

Sladen Snippet - ATO to resume super guarantee compliance action

In a recent industry forum, the ATO confirmed they will be resuming superannuation guarantee (SG) compliance action following a pause due to COVID-19. The ATO indicated they have a considerable backlog of SG compliance cases as a result of COVID-19, which they are now working through.

Sladen Snippet - Government announces ability to commute market linked and legacy pensions

Sladen Snippet - Government announces ability to commute market linked and legacy pensions

A surprise inclusion in the Federal Government’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) could mean good news for recipients of certain non-commutable ‘legacy’ pensions.

Sladen Snippet - Court awarded damages in SMSF Property Development case

Sladen Snippet - Court awarded damages in SMSF Property Development case

While SMSF trustees should be aware of the ATO’s concerns in relation to property development (for example, as outlined in SMSFRB 2020/1), a recent Full Court of the Supreme Court of South Australia has highlighted the commercial risks of such arrangement.

Sladen Snippet - ATO finalises legislative instrument to deal with in-house asset issues for SMSFs offering rent deferrals to related party tenants

Sladen Snippet - ATO finalises legislative instrument to deal with in-house asset issues for SMSFs offering rent deferrals to related party tenants

As previously discussed here, the ATO has now finalised the legislative instrument Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (COVID-19 Rental income deferrals – In-house Asset Exclusion) Determination 2020 (Determination). The Determination does not materially differ from the draft version.

Sladen Snippet – payments to contractor not subject to superannuation guarantee

Sladen Snippet – payments to contractor not subject to superannuation guarantee

In the recent decision of MWWD v FC of T 2020 ATC (16 October 2020), the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) found that payments to a contractor repair technician did not trigger a superannuation contribution/charge obligation under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth) (SG Act).

Sladen Snippet – AAT denies out of time application to overturn disqualification under the SIS Act

Sladen Snippet – AAT denies out of time application to overturn disqualification under the SIS Act

Under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SIS Act) a disqualified person cannot be a trustee or director of a corporate trustee of a self managed superannuation fund. Where a person is disqualified because of a conviction, they can apply for a waiver of the disqualification status within 14 days from the date of conviction.

Are you on the ATO’s radar? The Next 5,000 compliance program commences

Are you on the ATO’s radar? The Next 5,000 compliance program commences

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has begun issuing notices for its compliance program focusing on the “Next 5,000” private groups in Australia (Next 5000 Program).

Sladen snippet – late contributions cannot be offset – employer must make contributions twice

Sladen snippet –  late contributions cannot be offset – employer must make contributions twice

Where super guarantee contributions are not made by 28 days after the relevant quarter, a superannuation guarantee charge (SGC) liability is triggered. If the contributions are made after the due date, then, in certain circumstances, those late contributions can be offset against the SGC liability.

Sladen snippet - ATO releases PSLA on how it will administer SIS Act penalties

Sladen snippet - ATO releases PSLA on how it will administer SIS Act penalties

From 1 July 2014, the ATO was granted power to issue administrative penalties to self managed superannuation fund SMSF) trustees for breaches of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SIS Act).

ATO provides clarity on obligations of SMSF auditors in respect of NALE and NALI

ATO provides clarity on obligations of SMSF auditors in respect of NALE and NALI

The ATO has provided some welcome clarification for auditors regarding their obligations to report on non-arm’s length expenditure (NALE) incurred by a super fund of a general nature.

The end of the superannuation guarantee amnesty – so what now for employers?

The end of the superannuation guarantee amnesty – so what now for employers?

As discussed here and here, the superannuation guarantee (SG) amnesty allowed employers to disclose and pay previously unpaid SG charge, including nominal interest, for the quarters between 1 July 1992 to 31 March 2018 without incurring the administration component ($20 per employee per quarter) or Part 7 penalties. In addition, payments of SG charge made to the ATO under the amnesty were tax deductible.

Sladen Snippet - ATO confirms that auditors must report COVID-19 contraventions

Sladen Snippet - ATO confirms that auditors must report COVID-19 contraventions

In June 2020, the ATO updated the independent auditor's report instructions (IAR) so that auditors would not need to modify their opinion in Part B of the IAR with respect to certain contraventions arising from the impacts of COVID-19 for the 2019-20 and 2020-2021 financial years.

SMSFRB 2020/1– where are we now with SMSFs and property development?

SMSFRB 2020/1– where are we now with SMSFs and property development?

SMSFs (self managed superannuation funds) have been carrying on property development activities ever since SMSFs came into existence. Yet despite that there is still a common concern that such activities will cause the SMSF to become non-compliant, or subject to penalties, on the basis that such activities, and in particular undertaking a property development business, are prohibited.

Court confirms administrator can make BDBN on behalf of member

Court confirms administrator can make BDBN on behalf of member

In the recent decision of Re SB; Ex Parte AC [2020] QSC 139, the Supreme Court of Queensland confirmed that the decision to make a binding death benefit nomination (‘BDBN’) is a financial matter and can therefore be made for a person by their administrator.

Business in an SMSF: Is it Ever a Good Idea?

Business in an SMSF: Is it Ever a Good Idea?

SMSFs (self managed superannuation funds) have been carrying on business and business like activities ever since SMSFs came into existence. Yet despite that there is still a common concern that such activities will cause the SMSF to become non-compliant, or subject to penalties, on the basis that such activities are prohibited.