Trustee decisions are at their own discretion: expert

Trustee decisions are at their own discretion: expert

A trustee doesn’t need to show reasons why they made a decision, they will only need to show they followed a proper decision-making process, says a specialist legal adviser.     . Hayley Mitchell, partner with Cooper Grace White Lawyers, said many decisions trustees...
Planning financially for a career break

Planning financially for a career break

A pause in super contributions can have long-lasting effects. Here's how to plan ahead for super breaks. . There’s a host of reasons why people take career breaks. Having and raising children, or taking an extended holiday or sabbatical, are the most common...
Regular reviews and safekeeping of documents vital: expert

Regular reviews and safekeeping of documents vital: expert

Keeping track of all documents relating to an SMSF trust deed is important if an estate planning issue arises, says an industry expert. . Scott Hay-Bartlem, partner at Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers and board member of the SMSFA, said being able to physically produce...
Investment and economic outlook, February 2024

Investment and economic outlook, February 2024

Region-by-region economic outlook and latest forecasts for investment returns. . U.S. consumers in aggregate remained financially healthy entering 2024. That’s the conclusion of new research, which highlights wealth effects, accumulated savings, and normalising credit...
Why crypto treads an uncertain path through tax minefield

Why crypto treads an uncertain path through tax minefield

The taxation of digital assets used for lending and borrowing would benefit from clear-sighted guidelines. . The ATO has not released much formal (binding) guidance on the taxation treatment of crypto assets and continues to slowly publish general (non-binding) advice...
Labor tweaks stage 3 tax cuts to make room for ‘middle Australia’

Labor tweaks stage 3 tax cuts to make room for ‘middle Australia’

Following years of mixed messaging, Labor has bowed to economic pressure and announced changes to its stage three tax cuts.   . Only those earning less than $150,000 will benefit from the impending tax cuts, which were originally slated to abolish the 37 per cent tax...
Investment and economic outlook, January 2024

Investment and economic outlook, January 2024

Region-by-region economic outlook and latest forecasts for investment returns. . What might shipping detours of more than 3,000 nautical miles mean for goods prices and broad inflation rates? Not a lot, for now. Shipping contracts are typically locked in for a year or...
Quarterly reporting regime means communication now paramount: expert

Quarterly reporting regime means communication now paramount: expert

Communication between SMSF trustees, accountants and advisers is more crucial than ever with the quarterly reporting rules coming into force, says a leading specialist.   . Anthony Cullen, senior SMSF educator with Accurium, said in a recent webinar there need to be...