What’s new on study and training loans

The indexation rate for study and training loans is now based on the Consumer Price Index (‘CPI’) or Wage Price Index — whichever is lower.
When to lodge SMSF annual returns

All trustees of SMSFs with assets as at 30 June 2024 need to lodge an SMSF annual return (‘SAR’) for the 2023/24 financial year.
Eligibility for compassionate release of superannuation
Early Release of Super on Compassionate Grounds: Eligibility and Conditions The ATO outlines strict criteria for accessing super funds early, covering medical, disability, palliative, funeral and foreclosure-related expenses. The ATO has been responsible for the administration of the early release of superannuation on compassionate grounds since 1 July 2018. It will only approve a release […]
Omnis Financial Planning – Winter 2024 Newsletter
Prepare for Life In this issue – Living your best life in retirement If you’re nearing retirement age, it’s likely you’re wondering if you will have enough saved to give up work and take it easy, particularly as cost-of-living increases hit some of the basic expenses such as energy, insurance, food and health costs… Help […]
What laws do SMSFs need to adhere to?
Navigating the Legal Landscape: Responsibilities of SMSF Trustees Understanding the Legislative Framework and Compliance Obligations for Self-Managed Super Funds As a trustee of a self-managed super fund (SMSF) there are responsibilities and rules you must follow. At the most fundamental level, you need to make sure your SMSF is functioning under the relevant laws. As a type of superannuation fund, trustees […]
Navigating the Main Residence Exemption
ATO ‘main residence exemption tips’ Key Considerations for Taxpayers When Selling a Home The main residence exemption needs to be considered in a variety of situations when a taxpayer sells a property they have lived in. The ATO hopes that the following tips will help in this regard: Taxpayers should consider if they have started […]
Family trust elections and interposed entity elections
Understanding Family Trust Distribution Tax Key Considerations for Trustees and Entities to Avoid 47% FTDT on Distributions Outside the Family Group. Family trust distribution tax (‘FTDT’) is a special, 47%, tax sometimes payable by a trustee, director or partner. It applies when a trust has made a family trust election (‘FTE’), or an entity has […]
Illegal early access to super
Beware of Illegal Early Super Access Schemes ATO Warns Against Promoters Exploiting Super Funds for Non-Retirement Purposes Faced with tough times, some people may be thinking about accessing their super early. Taxpayers may have been approached by someone (a ‘promoter’) claiming that members of super funds can withdraw their super or use an SMSF to […]
Asset valuation guidelines for SMSFs
Mastering SMSF Asset Valuation Understanding the Importance, Principles and Processes of Valuing Self-Managed Super Fund Assets If you have a self-managed super fund (SMSF), you need to have your fund’s assets valued regularly to remain compliant with Australia’s superannuation legislation. While the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) generally accepts SMSF asset valuations that follow the guidelines, it […]
Super contribution caps to rise
Prepare for Changes as Concessional and Non-Concessional Caps Rise What You Need to Know for 2025 The big news story for those contributing to super is that the contribution caps are set to increase from the 2025 income year. The concessional contribution cap will increase from $27,500 to $30,000. This ‘CC’ cap is broadly applicable […]