SMSF trustees and members urged to get the process right when acting on a release authority
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is reminding self-managed super fund (SMSF) trustees and members to carefully follow the correct steps when a release authority is issued.
Release authorities are official ATO instructions that allow an individual to access their super for specific reasons, such as paying excess contributions tax, Division 293 tax, or to satisfy a First Home Super Saver Scheme release.
To avoid processing delays, the ATO has issued the following guidance:
- Only release the amount specified on the release authority no more, no less
- Never combine multiple release authorities into one payment
- Respond within the timeframe specified in the release authority to avoid penalties or further compliance action
- Use the correct payment reference number (PRN) and ensure payments are sent to the correct ATO account, not the member’s personal account
- Send a Release Authority Statement (RAS) to the ATO once payment is made.
The ATO emphasises that errors in handling release authorities can lead to delays, rejected payments and member dissatisfaction.
For step-by-step instructions on responding to a release authority, visit the ATO website or consult with your Omnis SMSF administrator or accountant.
At Omnis our SMSF team is highly skilled at navigating the complexities of SMSF regulations to help our clients achieve financial security and compliance. Contact us in West Perth on 08 9380 3555.
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Source: https://www.ato.gov.au/tax-and-super-professionals/for-superannuation-professionals/super-funds-newsroom/avoid-errors-and-delays-with-release-authorities