taxation

Superannuation

How to keep the ATO onside when commencing a pension

Nicholas Ali outlines the importance of lodging the correct Australian Taxation Office (ATO) form before commencing a pension. ...

Superannuation

Caution urged on excess contributions handling

Law firm advises establishment of separate trust arrangements to avoid penalties around transitionary elements of excess contributions following an Australian Taxation Of...

Financial planning

Potential for ASIC investigation of responsible entities

Industry executives have raised the prospect of the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) investigating whether responsible entity companies (REs) will b...

Financial planning

2012 to be a good year for financial advisers

There are a number of positives that will make 2012 a good year for financial advisers despite a tough economic environment, according to Equity Trustees (EQT) head of we...

Editorial

The age of interest rate uncertainty

The decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut interest rates by 25 basis points in November might result in good news for both investors and the markets, according...

Superannuation

A guide to superannuation death benefit strategies

Jennifer Brookhouse outlines the issues to consider when deciding whether a superannuation death benefit going to a child should be paid as an income stream or into a tes...

Financial planning

HFA downgrades earnings guidance

Market volatility and changes see HFA downgrade its earnings guidance....

Superannuation

Parliamentary committee examines tax bill

Tax bill which touches on easier superannuation consolidation to be reviewed by committee....

Policy & Regulation

Shorten's retrospective tax law criticised

Business taxpayers are concerned about being retrospectively penalised for complying with previous tax laws, according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Austra...

Financial planning

ATO cracks down on fraud in third quarter

In the third quarter of 2011, 356 people and 122 companies were prosecuted and convicted of taxation and superannuation offences, according to acting Tax Commissioner Jen...

Superannuation

Superannuation guarantee to rise as Govt gets mining tax

The Government's success in negotiating support for its Mineral Resource Rent Tax has given the green light to a higher superannuation guarantee....

Superannuation

ASFA urges political support for higher superannuation guarantee

ASFA argues support for a higher superannuation guarantee is warranted beyond the mining tax....

Policy & Regulation

Government vows not to tax trusts as companies

The Federal Government has released a new consultation paper on modernising the taxation of family trusts and declared it is not looking at taxing trusts as companies....

Policy & Regulation

Doubts build around FOFA timetable

Industry leaders believe the degree of complexity the Federal Government has injected in to the FOFA legislation means it may not be possible to implement by July 1 next ...

Superannuation

FPA pushes for retirement planning focus

The Financial Planning Association will encourage its members to focus more on retirement and post-retirement planning, according to FPA general manager of policy and gov...