Category: SMSF
Illegal early access to super – what every SMSF trustee needs to know
As an SMSF trustee, you’re responsible for making sure your fund complies with superannuation laws. One of the most important rules is simple: your super must be preserved until you meet a condition of release. Accessing your super too early might seem tempting in tough times, but doing so can be illegal and carry serious...
The super number that could make or break your contribution strategy
Most people know roughly how much they have in super. Far fewer know the one number that can determine which contribution strategies are available to them. That number is your total super balance (TSB). Your TSB is the combined value of all your super interests across all your super funds. In simple terms, it is...
Higher super contribution caps from 1 July 2026 – What it means for you
From 1 July 2026, the amount you can contribute to super will increase, creating new opportunities to boost your retirement savings. The annual concessional contribution cap will rise from $30,000 to $32,500. These are contributions made from pre-tax money, such as employer contributions, salary sacrifice and personal deductible contributions. Non-concessional contributions The annual non-concessional contribution...
Division 296 tax is now law – What it means for your super
There’s been a lot of talk about changes to super, and one of the biggest updates is now official. The government has passed the Division 296 tax, which will start from 1 July 2026. While it mainly affects people with large super balances, it’s still important to understand what’s changing and why. A quick recap...
Payday super checklist for employers – steps to stay compliant
From 1 July 2026, employers must pay their employees’ superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions at the same time as salary or wages. This new system is known as payday super. Currently, most employers pay super on a quarterly basis. From July 2026, super will instead need to be paid each pay cycle. The ATO has released...
Six changes impacting your super in 2026
Superannuation rules are always evolving, and 2026 is shaping up to be another year of important changes. Some of these updates may only affect a small group of people, while others could impact almost everyone with super. Whether retirement feels a lifetime away or it’s already on the horizon, understanding what’s changing can help you...
Thinking of a Christmas stay in your SMSF property? Think again!
If your SMSF owns a beach house, country cottage or apartment that feels like the perfect Christmas getaway, this is your friendly end-of-year reminder: you and your family can’t use it over the Christmas and New Year period, not even “just for a week,” and not even if it’s sitting vacant. It’s one of the...
Using super to invest in property – How SMSF borrowing works
Thinking about using your SMSF to invest in property? With the right structure, your SMSF can borrow to invest. The key is using what’s called a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA). An LRBA can help grow your retirement savings, but it also comes with some important rules and risks. What is an LRBA? An LRBA...
SMSFs hit $1 trillion – what the latest ATO statistics mean for you
Australia’s love affair with SMSFs shows no sign of slowing down. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has just released its June 2025 quarterly statistical report, and the numbers highlight how significant SMSFs are in shaping retirement wealth. If you’ve ever wondered how SMSFs fit into the bigger picture, here’s a simple breakdown. SMSFs by the...
Helping your kids buy their first home using super
If you want to give your children a head start on saving for their first home, the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) is worth considering. It offers a tax-effective way for young people to grow a deposit more quickly and is open to anyone who meets the eligibility rules and has never owned property....