The SMSF Adviser Show

With younger SMSF trustees driving up SMSF establishments, Jo Hurley highlights the top priorities for trustees in this age group. Class general manager, growth, Jo Hurley discusses the upwards trend in SMSF establishments in the 44 and below age group as reflected in recent ATO statistics. Ms Hurley touches on some of the factors driving the increase in SMSF setups in this age group including mor...

The federal budget has outlined the government's approach to some key issues for the SMSF industry. In this special budget episode, hosts Aaron Dunn and Miranda Brownlee discuss whether the quieter budget this year is the calm before the storm with the government still in the process of legislating an objective of super. They also discuss in detail the tweaks made to the non-arm's length expenses...

ASF Audits head of education Shelley Banton discusses the recent shift in the ATO's compliance approach and some of the emerging compliance issues for SMSFs. Ms Banton shares her thoughts on the reasons behind the recent spike in trustee disqualifications and where some of the serious breaches are arising. She also chats about the benefits of early engagement with the ATO where issues arise, and e...

The ATO reveals the trends and characteristics emerging across different groups within the SMSF sector. In this two-part series, Martin Frauenfelder, director of the ATO SMSF Regulatory Branch will share his insights on what the ATO's statistics reveal in relation to both trustees and the professionals servicing the SMSF sector. In the second part of this series, Martin discusses SMSF auditors and...

The Australian Taxation Office reveals the trends and characteristics emerging across different groups within the SMSF sector. In this two-part series, Martin Frauenfelder, director of the ATO SMSF regulatory branch, will share his insights on what the ATO's statistics reveal in relation to both trustees and the professionals servicing the SMSF sector. Mr Frauenfelder explores the latest trends wi...

The SMSF Association and CA ANZ highlight some of the grey areas and potential policy positions that could be taken with the proposed threshold. SMSF Association head of policy and advocacy, Tracey Scotchbrook and superannuation and financial services leader at Chartered Accountants Australia Tony Negline share their latest insights about the proposed $3 million threshold for members with large ba...

Anthony Cullen from SuperConcepts outlines what SMSF professionals should be thinking about in the lead up to the general transfer balance cap (TBC) increasing on 1 July. Senior SMSF technical specialist Anthony Cullen explains the impact of the $200,000 increase in the general TBC and how it may apply to clients at an individual level. For SMSF clients deciding whether to delay starting their pen...

Key takeaways and insights from this year's SMSF Association National Conference. In this two-part series, Aaron Dunn and Miranda Brownlee speak to a selection of expert presenters and prominent industry members at the SMSF Association National Conference. For part two, Simon Kuestenmacher, director and co-founder of the Demographics Group, explores some of the demographic trends shaping the direc...

Key takeaways and insights from this year's SMSF Association National Conference. In this two-part series, Aaron Dunn and Miranda Brownlee speak to a selection of prominent industry members at the SMSF Association National Conference. In part one, SMSF Association chief executive Peter Burgess touches on some of the key developments discussed in his legislative and regulatory update and the impact...

Daniel Butler from DBA Lawyers explains Treasury's recent consultation on the non-arm's length rules and what it means for SMSF professionals. In this episode, Mr Butler discusses in detail how the proposed changes would operate and how the industry has reacted so far. He also highlights some of the issues with the non-arm's length income provisions that were not covered in the consultation and wh...

View Legal director Matthew Burgess provides useful insights and tips in helping SMSF clients address incapacity issues. In this episode, Mr Burgess explains the potential implications of an SMSF member losing capacity in an SMSF and what can be done to prepare for these kinds of events. He also discusses the role of SMSF professionals in encouraging clients to prepare for potential incapacity and...

The most significant changes and challenges set to impact SMSF professionals and their clients in the year ahead. In the first episode for 2023, hosts Aaron Dunn and Miranda Brownlee outline some of the legislative, regulatory and systemic changes that SMSF professionals may need to prepare for this year. With the ATO intensifying its compliance focus on SMSFs and set to finalise its guidance on r...

Aaron and Miranda delve into the latest SMSF statistics to examine the different clusters of SMSF trustees and how professionals can better service these groups. ATO statistics reveal there are two distinct age groups emerging in the SMSF sector. While younger trustees account for a significant proportion of SMSF establishments, trustees over the age of 70 make up a large portion of the overall SM...

Hosts Aaron and Miranda celebrate the 50th episode of the SMSF Adviser Show and reflect on the major issues and changes in the SMSF sector this year. In this special episode, Aaron and Miranda highlight some of the memorable guests and topics covered across the 50 episodes of the show so far. They also chat in detail about some of the significant developments for the SMSF sector this year, includi...

Camilla Love started F3 — Future Females in Finance to bring more women into the financial services industry. The program — which won the Women's Community Program of the Year award 2022 from the Women in Finance Awards 2022 — aims to educate young women about careers and finance and nudge as many of the next generation of female talent into financial services as possible. In this episode of In Fo...

Matt Crofts from Crypto Tax Calculator provides an update on what's happening in the crypto space and highlights important considerations for SMSFs. In light of the recent collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, Matt offers advice on what SMSFs should look for when choosing exchanges, how to keep on top of record keeping requirements, the potential implications for funds where crypto assets have...

Smart Business Solutions chief executive Shannon Smit talks about the evolution of her business and shares her insights on complex SMSF planning issues. After recently taking out SMSF Adviser of the Year at the Women in Finance Awards, Shannon discusses how she first she started her business and how it has grown over the past 15 years. Shannon talks about how she first fell in love with SMSFs afte...

DBA Lawyers director Daniel Butler provides tips and insights on guiding SMSF clients through the ATO's early engagement and voluntary disclosure service. With contraventions on the rise and the ATO undertaking more reviews, Daniel Butler explains the types of circumstances where SMSF clients may want to use the ATO's voluntary disclosure service. Daniel also discusses what SMSF clients need to do...

The budget measures impacting SMSFs and the issues where there is still uncertainty. Hosts Aaron Dunn and Miranda Brownlee discuss Labor's stance on some of the SMSF measures announced by the previous government including the SMSF residency changes and what details remain unclear at this point. They discuss the proposed increase in penalty unit amounts and Labor's plans to change the treatment of...

The financial services industry has historically been male-dominated but encouraging more women into the space is not only good for society, but good for business too. In this episode, partnered by Mortgage Choice, Anthony Waldron, chief executive of financial services and Mortgage Choice at the REA Group, outlines how the industry can move away from being "male, stale and pale" and encourage more...

Four of the expert presenters from the SMSF Adviser Technical Strategy Day share some of their insights and practical tips from their sessions. Heffron managing director Meg Heffron discusses some of the opportunities and strategies emerging with pension planning for SMSFs. Clinton Jackson from Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers talks about his session on the current state of play with BDBNs and what it me...

BT's Bryan Ashenden shares his predictions on the where the QAR proposals may end up and flags some potential issues to be worked out. In this episode, BT head of financial literacy and advocacy Bryan Ashenden discusses why moving to a principles-based approach as outlined in the recent QAR proposals paper will a be a positive but significant adjustment for advisers. He also highlights some potent...

Shadow financial services minister Stuart Robert shares his views on the Quality of Advice Review proposals and where he sees financial services heading. In this bonus episode, Stuart Robert MP chats to editor of Mortgages Annie Kane about the property downturn, the economy, and his concerns with increasing building costs. He also discusses how technology might shape the future of financial servic...

Tracey Scotchbrook provides valuable tips on how to approach the wholesale and sophisticated investor rules for SMSF clients. In this episode, SMSF Association policy manager Tracey Scotchbrook outlines some of the different tests that apply for classing clients as wholesale or sophisticated investors and where they might apply for SMSF clients specifically. Tracey highlights some of the grey area...

SMSF specialist auditors Shirley Schaefer and Chris Levy delve into the five biggest issues for SMSF audits at the moment and offer up some practical tips. In this episode, BDO partner, superannuation, Shirley Schaefer and Aquila Super partner Chris Levy discuss some of the hurdles with valuations following the ATO's heightened guidelines — particularly where assets such as business property and u...