Increase in the number of SMSF trustee disqualifications

By way of background individuals seeking to provide for their retirement by utilizing a Self Managed Superannuation Fund need to follow the strict rules and regulations of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SIS Act). It would appear from the latest Australian Taxation Office (ATO’s) annual report that the number of disqualification of trustees has […]

Executives, professionals and family business owners to suffer if SMSF borrowing is scrapped

By way of background in 2007 the Australian Government allowed superannuation funds to borrow under strict conditions. As a result of this legislation, executives, professionals and family owned businesses have chosen to purchase direct property as their investment of choice through their superannuation fund, rather than shares or managed funds.   Prior to the change […]

Gen X and Gen Y now entering the Self Managed Super Fund Market

Super funds are no longer viewed as an investment vehicle for individuals either in or approaching retirement.  New research shows that younger generations are now looking to establish Self Managed Super Funds.  According to Russell Investments and SMSF Professionals Association of Australia, about 14% of Generation X (31-45 years) and 10 per cent of Generation […]

Self Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSF) continue to grow

Early last year the number of Self Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) members topped one million, according to the Australian Taxation Office SMSF statistical report.   Over the past four years the number of SMSF members has increased by a staggering 26.6%.   Clearly these statistics demonstrate that there is an overwhelming move by people wanting […]

Younger investors now entering the SMSF market

Super funds are no longer viewed as an investment vehicle for individuals either in or approaching retirement.  The next decade in the superannuation segment will be Gen X and Gen Y’s as they build for their retirement.   Australia is currently experiencing a massive demographic shift as the baby boomer generation moves into retirement, with […]

Lost Super

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) advise that there is more than $14 billion in lost super waiting to be claimed.   The Australian Commissioner, John Shepherd, advises that the main reason for the lost super was because many of the superannuation accounts have not been kept up to date with personal details and changes to […]

Advantages of Investing in Australian Companies that pay dividends

Dividends from Australian Companies provide greater tax benefits than similar dividends paid by overseas non-resident companies to Australian tax residents. The Australian dividend imputation system can represent an important advantage for investors when compared to the dividend taxation system of other countries, as the Australian system, essentially eliminates the double taxation of corporate profits. If […]