SMSF Association Media Release
8 May 2018
The 2018 Budget measure that proposes a reduction in the annual audit requirement to once every three years for self-managed super funds (SMSFs) with a good compliance history has been welcomed by the SMSF Association.
SMSF Association CEO John Maroney says this proposal, which will cut red tape for the SMSF sector, is a fitting reward for trustees who strictly adhere to the regulatory regime.
However, Maroney adds that it’s a strongly held Association position that an independent audit is essential to the integrity of the sector, and as such “we keenly await the implementation details of the proposal”.
This proposed change in auditing procedure for SMSFs, when coupled with the expansion of SMSFs from four to six members and the digital rollover measure announced by the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, Kelly O’Dwyer, at last month’s inaugural SMSF Expo, help to cut red tape and improve flexibility for SMSFs.
Maroney says these positive measures, in line with a 2018-19 Budget that largely left superannuation alone, will come as an “enormous relief” to SMSFs and their advisers.
“This continued regulatory stability for SMSFs is welcomed by the Association and is sorely needed as trustees still come to grips with the superannuation tax changes that took effect on 1 July 2017.
“We look forward to a much-needed period of stability for superannuation and working through the implementation of the superannuation changes with the Government and regulators.”
He says the Association is pleased that the Government has acted to ensure the efficiency and integrity of the broader superannuation system.
“Capping fees on low balance superannuation accounts and introducing opt-in requirements for insurance in superannuation for certain fund members are positive measures that will ensure younger superannuation fund members do not have their account balances eroded unnecessarily.”
Older Australians were also beneficiaries of the Budget via an expanded Pension Work Bonus program, the enlarging of the Pension Loans Scheme to include people on the full-age pension and self-funded retirees, and granting a one-year superannuation work test exemption for recent retirees with balances under $300,000.
“These measures are welcomed by the SMSF Association for providing more flexibility for older Australians to manage their retirement.”