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Tag: Capital gains tax

Lessons learnt — let’s dive back in

It’s about this time of year that I become thankful. If I’m writing this, my liver held out for another summer. Come February, we’ve still got warmer weather. And the cold beer that accompanies it. Beer gardens are good times. I loved the (too-short) holiday I get, to hang out with the kids and with […]

Here comes the investment property squeeze

SUMMARY: Property investors copping one in the neck – intense focus from regulators and FSI to cool the property market. Property investors must be wondering why a red bullseye suddenly appeared smack over their heart. Attacks are coming from everywhere. Two more financial watchdog heavyweights said this week that they wanted to tighten the screws on […]

Think twice about taking a super lump sum

SUMMARY: Wondering what to do with your super at retirement? Look harder at the pension option. Sometimes you need an outsider to come in to critique. Rip what you’re doing to shreds. And tell you how to reconstruct it properly. American Professor Robert C Merton has done just that to Australia’s super system. On a […]

How to choose between super and the mortgage

SUMMARY: Paying off your home, or contributing more to super? Lower rates can make this an even more super idea. Sustained low interest rates has certainly made paying off the mortgage easier in recent years. But it’s also given a boost to a combined super/mortgage strategy. A question often asked by those in their 50s […]

The franking credit fallacy

SUMMARY: SMSFs like franked dividends. And as a result, they pay more tax, not less, than regular super funds. The DIY super army is under fire again. Now the claim is that they don’t pay tax, or “evade” paying tax. It’s a flimsy argument, based on the premise that self-managed super funds invest in companies […]

Taking stock of in-specie transfers

SUMMARY: Time to start considering some tax planning after another good run for shares. So let’s revisit in-specie transfers to your SMSF. There was a time, fairly recently, when SMSFs trustees were considered liars and frauds in the eyes of the government (and the Treasury). At least in regards to the in-specie transfer of assets […]

Is property best inside a SMSF?

SUMMARY: You’re ready to buy an investment property. But inside or outside a SMSF? Here’s what you need to weigh up. It’s a parent’s lot to put their children’s interests ahead of their own. Some take it a little further than others and they are prepared to make sacrifices beyond the time when the “raising […]

Joint SMSFs: No such thing as “ours”

SUMMARY: One SMSF – many accounts. Why your SMSF has “yours” and “mine”, but no “ours”. It’s time to bust a myth about SMSFs. Perhaps it’s more misunderstanding or misconception than myth. But it’s certainly time to crush it. Your SMSF, if there are two members, has at least two accounts. There is “yours”. And […]

Six tips for your pension shift

PORTFOLIO POINT: A change in investment styles as you shift to pension? Here are six things to consider. An important positive about tax rules is that they are largely don’t change too much. If you know what the rules are, you can plan for them and play them to your advantage. For SMSF trustees, tax […]

Why compulsory annuities won’t suit SMSFs

PORTFOLIO POINT: The spectre of compulsory super annuities is increasing. And I don’t think SMSF trustees will be too thrilled. A considerable number of voices believe it’s one of the last great reforms needed to get Australia’s superannuation system up to world’s best. Compulsory annuities. When you hit retirement age – or some defined qualifying […]