Pay the minimum annual income stream amounts

If your SMSF pays out pensions, it must pay required minimum amounts each year. This amount is based on the ages of the members who receive the payments – starting at four per cent of the account balance for people aged under 65, and rising to 14 per cent for those 95 or over.

If your SMSF doesn't pay out the required minimum amount, you may not be entitled to treat income or capital gains as exempt current pension income (ECPI) for the year. The ATO may show leniency if the failure is an honest mistake or was brought about by matters outside of the trustee's control, but you shouldn't count on this. Generally, failing to meet the minimum pension standards puts your fund at significant risk.

Value the fund's assets

Asset valuation is important because it affects the returns for your fund's members, as well as the overall performance of the SMSF sector. You need to value your SMSF's assets at their market value as at 30 June.

If you follow the guidelines carefully, the ATO will generally accept the valuations you provide. However, the ATO may review valuations as part of its compliance processes.

There are also some specific considerations for certain asset classes. In the case of collectables and personal use assets, a qualified independent valuer must determine their market price. Listed securities should be valued at their market value on the relevant exchange as at 30 June.

You don't necessarily have to have property assets externally valued, but the ATO suggests it's wise to obtain an external valuation if property values have shifted significantly.

Obtain an actuarial certificate

You may need to obtain an actuarial certificate for your SMSF. This certificate determines the percentage of an SMSF's income that will be exempt from tax for a given year. There are various situations when a certificate is required. 

Generally, when an SMSF has both pension and non-pension accounts, and SMSF assets are not entirely segregated, an actuarial certificate is required. But if the fund's members are all in accumulation mode, or all in pension mode all year, it may not be required.

There are various exceptions to these scenarios, so it's always wise to get expert advice. Contact us if you'd like to discuss your specific fund's situation.

Prepare end-of-financial-year accounts

Every SMSF must have financial accounts and statements prepared for the end of each financial year (EOFY). These are more than a simple income tax return – they also need to report super regulatory information and member contributions, and your fund needs to pay the SMSF supervisory levy.

Accounting software can be a great help with accounts and reporting, allowing you to automate certain transactions and helping to reduce errors.

Appoint an approved SMSF auditor

It's mandatory to appoint an auditor who is approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Your fund must make this appointment at least 45 days before the SMSF annual return is due.

It's a good idea to check that your auditor has a solid track record of ensuring that SMSF clients achieve ATO compliance. In 2016, ASIC struck off 133 SMSF auditors and threatened a further 811 with deregistration.  There are currently only around 6500 registered auditors available to assess over half a million Australian SMSFs, so speak to us if you need any recommendations.

Lodge your annual return by the due date

You can lodge your SMSF annual return yourself or through a tax agent, but it must be submitted by the due date or you risk penalties and the loss of your SMSF's tax concessions.

The due date is generally 28 February if:

Your agent may also advise you of a different due date.

The due date is generally 31 October if:

Review your investment strategy

SMSF trustees are required to produce a documented review of their fund's investment strategy every year. Doing the review presents a good opportunity to assess your fund's performance, how it tracks against industry averages and how market forces have affected it. If your risk appetite has changed, this is a good time to change your investment strategy. 

Maintain all fund records

Super laws mandate that all fund records must be saved, and kept in several main categories:

Ensure that bills and receipts include information such as the Australian Business Number (ABN) of the supplier, the amount, the nature of the goods or services, and the date.

Compiling and maintaining all of the required records can be easier if your accounting processes are digitised (eg if you use accounting software). The ATO accepts scanned and electronic records.

Want to know more?

While some trustees are comfortable with managing their SMSF investments, many prefer to get professional help with the compliance requirements. If you'd like some extra guidance on managing your SMSF and fulfilling your annual obligations, talk to us today. We also have associations with licensed Financial Planners who specialise in providing independent SMSF, retirement & Estate Planning advice. Call us at Robert Goodman Accountants on 07 3289 1700 or email us at  reception@rgoodman.com.au .  

© Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. Source: Thomson Reuters. This communication does not constitute financial advice and does not consider your personal circumstances. Please contact a licensed financial planner for advice tailored to your financial circumstances.   Brought to you by Robert Goodman Accountants