Investment strategy documentation, compliance checks and tax planning for self-managed super fund trustees
What SMSF investment guidance covers
SMSF trustees must make each investment decision inside a written investment strategy that considers risk, return, diversification, liquidity, the fund's ability to pay benefits and members' insurance needs, and must comply with the sole purpose test, related-party and borrowing rules. SNS Accounting helps trustees document, review and comply with their strategy; personal investment recommendations come from a licensed financial adviser.
A written strategy the auditor will accept, investments that pass the superannuation rules, and a tax position that makes the most of the 15% environment.
A written strategy that addresses risk, return, diversification, liquidity and member insurance, specific to your fund and minuted at each review.
Capital gains timing, franking credit refunds, exempt current pension income and actuarial certificates, so the fund keeps more of what it earns within the rules.
Each investment checked against the sole purpose test, related-party, in-house asset and borrowing rules before the auditor sees it, with liquidity modelled for pensions.
Anything the trust deed allows that is held for the sole purpose of retirement benefits, acquired at market value and not from a related party unless an exception applies
Residential or commercial real estate at market value, including business premises leased back to a member's business at market rent, with borrowing only through a limited recourse arrangement.
Build a diversified portfolio of Australian and international shares for long-term capital appreciation.
Secure steady returns through bonds, term deposits, and other fixed-income investment vehicles.
Access professional fund management across various asset classes and investment strategies.
Precious metals, cryptocurrency, unlisted companies and collectables, the last under strict storage, insurance and valuation rules that bar personal use.
Maintain liquidity with high-interest savings accounts and short-term money market investments.
Written to reflect your risk tolerance, retirement timeline and objectives, and prepared alongside your licensed financial adviser where personal advice is required.
Every proposed investment is checked against the SIS Act, the regulations and ATO rulings before it is made, not discovered at audit time.
Annual strategy reviews, liquidity checks for pension payments and minutes the auditor can rely on, updated whenever members' circumstances change.
Get expert help documenting and maintaining an SMSF investment strategy that aligns with your retirement goals and satisfies your auditor.
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Let our SMSF specialists help you document a compliant, diversified strategy that makes the most of your retirement savings.
Good to know
Strategy requirements, permitted investments, borrowing, tax and who may give advice.
The superannuation regulations require the strategy to consider the risk and likely return of investments in light of the fund's objectives and cash flow, diversification, liquidity, the fund's ability to pay benefits and other costs as they fall due, and whether to hold insurance for members. It must be in writing, specific to your fund (not a template with 0–100% ranges), reviewed regularly and whenever circumstances change, and actually followed.
Almost anything that is for the sole purpose of providing retirement benefits and is permitted by the trust deed: listed and unlisted shares, managed funds and ETFs, term deposits and bonds, residential and commercial property, precious metals, cryptocurrency, and collectables under strict storage and insurance rules. Restrictions apply to acquiring assets from related parties, lending to members, in-house assets above 5% of fund value, and borrowing outside a limited recourse arrangement.
Only through a limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA), where a single acquirable asset is held in a separate holding trust and the lender's recourse is limited to that asset. LRBAs are used mainly for property. The fund must be able to service repayments from contributions and rent without breaching the strategy, and related-party loans must be on arm's-length terms or the income can be taxed as non-arm's-length income at 45%.
Earnings in accumulation phase are taxed at 15%, and capital gains on assets held for more than 12 months receive a one-third discount, an effective 10%. Income supporting retirement-phase pensions is tax-exempt, calculated as exempt current pension income, often with an actuarial certificate. Franking credits are refundable, which is why Australian shares feature heavily in SMSF portfolios. Non-arm's-length income is taxed at 45%.
Recommending specific investments, or advising whether to start an SMSF, is personal financial product advice that requires an Australian financial services licence. Accountants without a licence can provide factual information, tax advice, administration and compliance guidance, and can help you document the strategy you have decided on. Where you need personal advice, we work alongside your licensed adviser.
At least annually, and whenever something material changes: a member starts a pension, the fund buys property, markets move sharply, a member joins or leaves, or insurance needs change. The auditor must confirm the review happened and that the fund's actual investments fit the strategy, so record each review in trustee minutes. A strategy that is never revisited is one of the most common audit findings.
We prepare and update your investment strategy document and minutes, model liquidity for pension payments and property expenses, check proposed investments against the sole purpose test, related-party and in-house asset rules, obtain actuarial certificates, calculate exempt pension income and capital gains tax, and work alongside your licensed financial adviser or broker. This is general information, not personal financial advice. Fees are fixed and quoted in advance.