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    SMSFs

    This Month

    Getting more actively involved in managing your super can lead to higher returns.

    Why I’m glad I dumped my industry super fund

    After his SMSF regularly beat the performance of his former industry super fund for over a decade, Tony Boyd urges more Australians to take control of their super.

    • Tony Boyd

    July

    The change will turn Australian tax principles on their head.

    There is a simpler, fairer way to tax super above $3m

    Australia will soon become the only pension system in the world to tax unrealised capital gains.

    • Peter Burgess

    ATO targets property valuations in countdown to new $3m super tax

    SMSFs are in the firing line for failing to update the market value of investment properties and commercial buildings such as farms and medical practices.

    • Duncan Hughes

    What to do if you have big wins in your share portfolio

    It’s easier to manage concentration risk if you hold direct shares, but not so simple if you’re an ETF investor.

    • Tim Mackay
    James Curran’s AUKUS series is timely.

    Australia needs more transparency in important policy debates

    Readers’ letters on politicians’ lack of detail; Labor action against Fatima Payman; the value of accountants; why Joe Biden must withdraw; and Peter Dutton’s nuclear charade.

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    June

    Cost issues are driving SMSFs away from getting advice.

    SMSFs desert financial advice in face of looming crisis

    The government’s quality of advice review was intended to make financial advice more affordable. So why are fewer SMSF trustees seeking financial advice?

    • Peter Burgess
    Suburbs such as Double Bay in Sydney’s inner east have among the highest rates of residents with more than $3 million in super.

    The areas most – and least – hit by Labor’s $3m super tax

    Australians with super balances of more than $3 million are less likely to live in rural areas, according to new analysis, despite concerns about the tax focusing on farmers.

    • Hannah Wootton
    Artwork of Chiodo Corporation’s proposed $300 million Port Douglas resort.

    Keystone lent money to director’s $300m Port Douglas resort dream

    Keystone Asset Management, under ASIC investigation, lent money to companies associated with a director’s controversial plan to develop an “uber five-star luxury” resort in Port Douglas.

    • Max Mason
    The means test is based on residents’ assets and income on the day they move into aged care.

    I have an older-style pension – has the government forgotten about us?

    While legacy income streams were not addressed in the recent federal budget, there are steps you can take to make them easier to work with.

    • John Wasiliev

    May

    Peter Costello says people should be entitled to tap their super to buy a home.

    Costello backs Dutton on super for housing

    Former treasurer Peter Costello has backed Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s super for housing policy, saying members should be able to choose what happens to their money.

    • Updated
    • Gus McCubbing
    While governments find it tempting to punish people holding large balances with more tax, what we really need is to learn from the past.

    A smarter way to tax high super balances

    The government has tried to keep things simple, but in doing so fairness has gone out the window.

    • Meg Heffron

    April

    Natural diamonds, including pink diamonds, held in loose form are not considered collectable or personal use assets under super law, and thus do not have specific storage and insurance requirements.

    The rule book on investing in cars, wine or diamonds

    Because they’re classified as collectable or personal use assets, strict rules apply to their acquisition, storage, insurance and use if held by an SMSF.

    • Colin Lewis

    New superannuation tax may hit venture capital

    SMSFs will shy away from investing in start-ups for fear of being slugged with big tax bills on unrealised gains.

    • Peter Burgess
    Fund manager Geoff Wilson says small local businesses will lose out from taxes on unrealised gains in super.

    Super tax changes to ‘cut off lifeblood’ of local business

    Funds management veteran Geoff Wilson says Labor’s controversial plan to tax unrealised gains on big superannuation accounts will discourage investment in local firms.

    • Hannah Wootton
    Tung Nguyen plans to retire next year at 50.

    Meet the former refugee retiring at 50 thanks to gold’s surge

    Tung Nguyen has invested heavily in gold and bitcoin via his SMSF.

    • Tom Richardson
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    A question of super.

    Will borrowing to buy property in an SMSF affect my credit rating?

    Some banks are happy to ignore loans in SMSFs, others will require detailed information about how you plan to service the loan.

    • John Wasiliev
    You must meet a “condition of release” before accessing super.

    What SMSFs need to know as ATO cracks down on illegal access to super

    More than $630 million has been accessed illegally from SMSFs. Here’s what you need to know to stay on the right side of the law.

    • Colin Lewis
    A question of super.

    What if my late wife’s pension pushes my super above $3 million?

    Reversionary pension law gives surviving spouses time to sort out their super.

    • John Wasiliev

    March

    Companies, superannuation funds, and family discretionary trusts have various pros and cons.

    High-income earners turn to investment companies

    Superannuation is no longer the “go to” tax-effective investment vehicle.

    • Michael Hutton
    Torty Howard, co-CEO at Escala Partners.

    Escala Partners dials up client fees after LGT Crestone snares advisers

    Dragging its top revenue-writers to court didn’t work for Escala Partners. Now it is ready to pull another lever in its quest to plug talent (and revenue) leakage to rival LGT Crestone.

    • Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport