In this episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn discuss the issues that may affect super and the policy positions of the two major parties.

Tax reform has been the elephant in the room during the federal election campaign, but there has been some mention of the Division 296 tax by the opposition, which has also made commitments regarding advice reforms and adviser numbers.

This podcast covers some of the big-ticket items concerning the advice and super sectors, including:

• Bargaining by the Greens to reduce the super tax threshold to $2 million and its impact on the transfer balance cap.
• Reforms to the CSLR.
• Increasing adviser numbers.
• Housing policies and tax implications.

In this edition of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn are joined by legal specialist Phil Broderick, principal at Sladen Legal, to discuss the implications of the Bendel court decision – a landmark ruling with potentially far-reaching consequences for SMSFs and private trusts.

This ruling has profound implications for the use of discretionary trusts and corporate beneficiaries, potentially allowing distributions to remain unpaid without triggering Division 7A consequences.

The podcast delves into the significance of the case, drawing parallels to pivotal decisions like Bamford, and explores how it could reshape the landscape for tax and accounting practices in Australia.

Listen as they discuss:

• The interpretation of "financial accommodation" within Division 7A.
• The relevance of this decision for SMSFs
• The potential for the Bendel decision to influence other areas of superannuation law.

In this special post-budget episode of the SMSF Adviser podcast, hosts Keith Ford and Aaron Dunn navigate a complex web of budgetary and political issues.

Although it was a budget with nothing much in it for the SMSF sector, it was what wasn’t included that may have dramatic implications for the sector moving forward.

With the departure of Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones, the sector faces uncertainty over future leadership and policy direction, while the emergence of the Teal independents and the potential for a minority government add layers of complexity to an already unpredictable political landscape.

Listen as they discuss:

• The budget's limited offerings with small tax cuts and cost-of-living adjustments taking centrestage.
• The alignment between the reduced tax rates and superannuation accumulation rates.
• The broader implications of the upcoming election on the SMSF and financial services sectors.
• The DBFO 1.5. proposed changes, including the shift from a statement of advice to a client advice record.