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Self-managed superannuation funds – deductibility of expenses

Information about issues you, as a trustee, need to consider when determining the deductibility of expenses of the fund.

Last updated 14 December 2020

This page outlines expenses that a trustee of a self-managed super fund (SMSF) may claim. The information applies to complying funds. Read this in conjunction with:

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Common fund expenses

When considering if it is appropriate for the fund to pay a particular expense, it is important to ensure the payment is:

  • in accordance with a properly formulated investment strategy
  • allowed under your trust deed and the super laws.

Some of the different types of fund expenses are:

Operating expenses

Operating expenses incurred by an SMSF are mostly deductible under the general deduction provision (section 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997)).

This is except where they either:

  • relate to gaining non-assessable income (such as exempt current pension income), or
  • are capital in nature.

The following are examples of the types of operating expenses that are typically deductible under the general deduction provision:

Management and administration fees

These are costs associated with the daily running of the fund. For example, preparing trustees’ minutes, stationery and postage fees. These costs must be apportioned if the fund earns both assessable and non-assessable income.

No apportionment is necessary for costs that are wholly incurred in collecting and processing contributions. For example, costs associated with obtaining an electronic service address (alias) to meet the data standards requirements are not apportioned.

An SMSF may incur other more specific management and administrative costs in running a fund. These are dealt with under other sections of this document.

Audit fees

An SMSF is required by the super laws to ensure that an approved SMSF auditor is appointed to give the trustee(s) a report of the operations of the entity for each year of income.

Audit expenditure that relates to meeting obligations under super laws is deductible. It must be apportioned if the SMSF gains or produces both assessable and non-assessable income.

Administrative penalties that can be levied on a trustee under the super laws are not deductible to the fund. They are incurred by the trustee of the fund (or director of the corporate trustee). They must not be paid or reimbursed from the assets of the SMSF.

Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) annual fee

ASIC charges an annual fee to special purpose companies, whose sole purpose is to act as a trustee of a regulated super fund. Most SMSFs operate under a corporate trustee structure. However, some choose to use an individual trustee arrangement.

Corporate trustees pay an initial ASIC registration fee. They also pay an annual fee and, as such, this expense is deductible by the fund.

Investment-related expenses

The exact nature of the investment-related expenses is critical in determining deductibility. Examples of deductible investment related expenses include:

  • interest expenses
  • ongoing management fees or retainers paid to investment advisers
  • costs of servicing and managing an investment portfolio, such as bank fees, rental property expenses, brokerage fees
  • the cost of advice to change the mix of investments, whether by the original or a new investment adviser. This is provided it does not amount to a new financial plan.

If the investment related advice covers other matters or relates in part to investments that do not produce assessable income, only a proportion of the fee is deductible.

Example 1

The trustees of Jim's SMSF approach a financial adviser to put in place a long-term financial strategy. It needs to have sufficient liquidity to:

  • pay super income stream benefits
  • pay lump sum payments
  • continue with investments that in the long term will provide super or death benefits for the members.

The trustees pay a fee to an investment adviser to draw up an investment strategy for the fund. The fee is a capital outlay under these circumstances. This is even if some of the existing investments are maintained as part of the plan. That is because the fee is for advice that relates to drawing up a new investment strategy. The character of the outgoing is not altered because existing investments fit in with this new strategy. It is still an outgoing of capital.

End of example

 

Example 2

The trustees of a fund decide to seek the advice of an investment adviser. They want to know what listed securities they should invest in. This is specified in the fund’s investment strategy and permitted by the governing rules of the fund.

The trustees deduct the cost of the advice on listed securities to invest in. This is because the advice is part of the ongoing maintenance of the current investment strategy. It is not part of a new investment strategy or plan.

End of example

See also:

  • Taxation Determination TD 95/60 Income tax: are fees paid for obtaining investment advice an allowable deduction under section 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) for taxpayers who are not carrying on an investment business?

Tax-related expenses

A specific deduction is allowable under section 25-5 of the ITAA 1997 for either:

  • an expense incurred in managing a fund’s tax affairs
  • complying with a Commonwealth tax law obligation imposed on the trustee.

You cannot deduct capital expenditure under this section. However, an expense is not a capital expense merely because the tax affair relates to a matter of a capital nature. For example, you may be able to deduct the cost of applying for a private ruling on whether you can depreciate an item of property under this section.

The following are examples of deductible tax-related expenses incurred in managing an SMSF’s income tax affairs and complying with income tax laws:

  • costs relating to the preparation and lodgment of the SMSF’s annual return, including the preparation of financial statements
  • actuarial costs incurred in satisfying income tax obligations. For example, to determine the amount of tax-exempt income (or exempt current pension income).

Statutory fees and levies

An SMSF is also liable to pay a supervisory levy under the Superannuation (Self- Managed Superannuation Funds) Supervisory Levy Imposition Act 1991. The levy is a flat amount and is also deductible under section 25-5 of the ITAA 1997.

The costs incurred in preparing and lodging the SMSF’s annual return are deductible. The return is an approved form covering both income tax and super law requirements. However, we don't require SMSFs to have to apportion between the two types of expenses. We allow it in full as a deduction for the expenses incurred in preparing and lodging the return.

A tax-related expense does not need to be apportioned for an SMSF deriving both non-assessable and assessable income. This is unless the expenditure relates to audit fees paid by the fund. Audit expenditure to meet obligations under super laws is deductible under the general deduction provisions. It must be apportioned if the SMSF gains or produces both assessable and non-assessable income. Refer to Audit fees.

See also:

Legal expenses

Some legal expenses are covered by specific deduction provisions. For example, legal expenses incurred in complying with income tax obligations under section 25-5 of the ITAA 1997.

Legal expenses that are not covered by a specific provision are generally deductible under the general deduction provision. This is except when they are incurred in deriving non-assessable income or are capital, private or domestic in nature.

Example: Borrowing expenses – capital in nature

Nick's SMSF engages a legal firm to set up a trust to hold an asset. The fund intends to acquire the asset under a limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA). This is required by the super law.

Section 25-25 of the ITAA 1997 is a specific deduction provision. It enables the deduction of expenses incurred for borrowing money used to produce assessable income. The fund claims the following borrowing expenses:

  • loan establishment fees
  • obtaining relevant valuations
  • costs of documenting guarantees required by the lender
  • lender’s mortgage insurance
  • fees for property and title search fees, costs for preparing and filing mortgage documents, etc.

The fund can't claim the costs in establishing the trust for the LRBA as they are not borrowing expenses. They are incurred to establish the arrangement for borrowing, not for the borrowing itself. Therefore, the SMSF can't claim a deduction for legal expenses in setting up the trust.

Also, the fund can't claim the costs as a deduction under the general deduction provision. This is because they are capital in nature.

End of example

Trust deed amendments

Trust deed amendments to facilitate the ongoing operations of the super fund are generally deductible under the general deduction provision. If a fund amends a trust deed to keep it up to date with changes to the super law, the expense will be deductible under the general deduction provision. This is unless the amendment results in enduring changes to the SMSF’s structure or function or creates a new asset.

Trust deed amendment costs incurred in establishing a trust, executing a new deed for an existing fund and amending a deed to enlarge or significantly alter the scope of the trust’s activities are generally not deductible. This is because they are capital in nature.

Example 1

Sue and Jim have a two-member SMSF. The couple are also the individual trustees of the fund. Jim dies before either of them has retired. Sue decides to continue the SMSF with a corporate trustee as the sole director.

The fund incurs legal expenses of $1,000 to amend the trust deed so the corporate trustee can be appointed. Making changes to permit appointment of a corporate trustee relates to the structure of the SMSF. The expenses are capital in nature.

The fund can't deduct the legal expenses incurred in amending the trust deed. They are not deductible under section 8-1 of the ITAA 1997.

End of example

 

Example 2

The trustees of Wong's SMSF decide that the fund’s trust deed is out of date. It refers to super law provisions which have been repealed. It also gives contact addresses for the trustees that are no longer current.

The trustees decide to engage a legal firm to update the deed. The firm charges $500. The changes to the trust deed are an ordinary incident of the day to day running of the fund and are not capital in nature. The $500 charged by the legal firm is deductible to the fund.

End of example

 

Example 3

The trustees of Anna's SMSF decide to borrow money to purchase an apartment under an LRBA. This is part of a properly formulated investment strategy.

The trust deed of the SMSF, as it currently stands, does not permit the trustees to borrow money. The trustees engage a legal firm to amend the trust deed. This will permit them to borrow money under an LRBA.

The costs incurred in engaging the law firm to change the trust deed are not deductible. This is because the addition of borrowing powers is an enduring change to the function of the SMSF.

End of example

See also:

  • Taxation Ruling TR 2011/6 Income tax: business related capital expenditure - section 40-880 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 core issues

Death, total and permanent disability, terminal illness and income protection insurance premiums

A specific deduction is available to the trustee of a complying super fund for insurance premiums. This is for premiums paid for insurance policies that are for current or contingent liabilities to provide death or disability benefits.

A deduction is available for insurance premiums for the following types of death or disability benefits:

  • super death benefits
  • terminal medical condition benefits
  • disability super benefits
  • benefits provided due to temporary inability to engage in gainful employment for a specified period.

The amount the fund can claim is set out in the relevant income tax laws. There is no apportionment required for expenses that relate to assessable or non-assessable income.

See also:

  • Taxation Ruling TR 2012/6 Income tax: deductibility under subsection 295-465(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 of premiums paid by a complying superannuation fund for an insurance policy providing Total and Permanent Disability cover in respect of its members

Increased amount of super lump sum death benefit (or anti-detriment payment)

From 1 July 2019, there is no tax deduction for anti-detriment payments available. Where a fund member died before 1 July 2017, a tax deduction for an anti-detriment payment was available up to 30 June 2019. Where a fund member died on or after 1 July 2017, a tax deduction for an anti-detriment payment was no longer available.

Previously a tax deduction was available to a complying super fund that paid an increased lump sum, because of the death of a member for the benefit of their spouse, former spouse or child, to compensate for income tax paid by the fund in respect of contributions made for the member during their lifetime.

Collectables and personal use assets such as artwork

Special rules apply to SMSF investments in collectable and personal use assets, such as artwork. These rules were introduced on 1 July 2011 to cover aspects such as storage and insurance.

Insurance costs for artwork and other collectables are deductible to the SMSF provided:

  • the items are insured in the name of the fund within seven days of acquisition
  • the receipt for the expense is in the name of the fund.

You can't, for example, insure the item as part of a trustee's home and contents insurance.

Storage costs for artwork and collectables are also deductible to the fund. This is provided that items are stored in accordance to the Superannuation Industry (Supervisions) Regulations 1994. In particular, the trustees must make and keep records of the reasons for deciding where to store the item number.

Include allowable deductions for insurance and storage costs for collectables and artworks at the investment expenses deduction label in the SMSF annual return.

When you can claim

As a general rule, the trustee can claim the fund’s expenses in the year the trustee incurs them. However, deductions for the decline in value of certain depreciating assets (such as plant and equipment) are claimed over the effective life of the asset and not when the trustee incurs the expenditure.

Trustees should retain any invoices and receipts evidencing the fund's expenses. Invoices and receipts must be in the name of the SMSF. Wherever possible, the expense should be paid directly from the fund's bank account.

Deductibility of expenses

As a general rule, the deductibility of expenses incurred by a super fund is determined under the general deduction provision in section 8-1 of the ITAA 1997. It won't apply where a specific deduction provision applies. For example, tax related expenses that are deductible under section 25-5 of the ITAA 1997.

If an expense is deductible under the general deduction provision, and the fund has both accumulation and pension phase members, the expense may need to be apportioned. This will determine the amount that the fund can deduct. Refer to Apportionment.

If an expense is deductible under one of the specific deduction provisions, then the wording of that provision will indicate whether the expense must be apportioned and on what basis.

See also:

Specific deductions

The following is a list of some of the specific deduction provisions that apply to SMSFs. Some can be claimed in full or in part while others will require apportionment:

General deductions

In the absence of a specific deduction provision, a loss or outgoing incurred by a super fund is deductible under the general deduction provision in section 8-1 of the ITAA 1997. This is to the extent that:

  • it is incurred in gaining or producing assessable income
  • it is necessarily incurred in carrying on a business for the purpose of gaining or producing assessable income.

Expenses that are an ordinary incident of the operations of the SMSF that gain or produce its assessable income fall under this general deduction provision. This can include expenses such as:

  • management and administration fees
  • audit fees
  • subscriptions and attending seminars
  • ongoing investment related expenses.

The general deduction provision will apply unless a specific provision could also apply and is more appropriate in the circumstances.

Is a super fund carrying on a business?

The investment activities of SMSF trustees must be conducted in accordance with the trustees’ duty to preserve and grow the fund for its members and their dependants in the event of their death. In that context, the investment activities of most SMSFs would not be characterised as activities in the nature of carrying on a business. This is compared with similar activities conducted by a trading company.

However, the activities of some SMSFs in dealing in shares and other investments may amount to the carrying on of a business. This is having regard to factors such as the scale of the activities and the manner in which they are conducted.

See also:

Exclusions

Under the general deduction provision, an SMSF cannot deduct a loss or outgoing to the extent that:

  • it is a loss or outgoing of capital, or of a capital nature
  • it is a loss or outgoing of a private or domestic nature
  • it is incurred in relation to gaining or producing income of the fund that is not assessable income, such as exempt current pension income
  • the income tax laws prevent the fund from deducting it.

You cannot claim more than one deduction for the same expenditure. If two or more tax provisions allow you deductions for the same expenditure you can deduct only under the most appropriate provision.

Apportionment

General deductions

Where an expense is deductible under the general deduction provision, the expenditure is deductible only to the extent to which it is incurred in producing the fund’s assessable income.

Distinctly identified part

An expense may be incurred partly in gaining or producing assessable income and partly in gaining or producing non-assessable income, such as exempt current pension income. Where the fund can identify a distinct and severable part devoted to gaining or producing assessable income, this is the part to claim as a deduction under the general deduction provision.

Example

The trustee of Zhao's SMSF appoints a property managing company for three investment properties held by the fund. One is a holiday rental home and is managed by the company’s regional office. It is also a segregated current pension asset of the fund. This means the income derived from this property is exempt.

The company charges the fund $2,000 for its services. However, the invoice identifies $500 as costs incurred by the regional office for managing the holiday rental home.

The amount of $500 can be distinctly identified as a cost incurred in gaining the fund’s exempt income. The remaining $1,500 can be distinctly identified as a cost incurred in gaining the fund’s assessable income. The fund may claim the $1,500 as a deduction. This is the amount of expenditure which relates to the assessable income.

End of example

Estimating an expense

Many expenses cannot be divided into distinct and severable parts in this way. For example, when paying an approved SMSF auditor to provide an annual report for the fund. This is an expense that does not relate in any particular way to either the fund’s assessable or non-assessable income.

In such a case, the fund has to estimate, in a fair and reasonable way, how much of that expense was incurred in producing the fund’s assessable income.

It is not possible to prescribe a single method for apportioning expenditure of a super fund. Taxation Ruling TR 93/17 provides a number of examples. It provides guidance on what the Commissioner of Taxation may accept as a method producing a fair and reasonable outcome.

Example 1

The trustee of Jane's SMSF incurs audit expenses of $1,500. This is for providing the SMSF with a report in accordance with its regulatory obligations. The fund has unsegregated assets and therefore obtains an actuarial certificate each year. This determines the exempt current pension income of the fund.

The percentage specified by the actuary in the relevant year is that:

  • 70% of the value of fund assets is held to support current pension liabilities
  • the remaining 30% of the value of fund assets is held to provide for assessable income in the fund.

The trustee decides that this percentage is a fair and reasonable method for apportioning the audit expenses. The expenditure that can be claimed as incurred in gaining assessable income is $450 ($1,500 × 30%).

End of example

 

Example 2

The trustee of Santo's SMSF incurs audit expenses of $1,500. This is for providing the SMSF with a report in accordance with its regulatory obligations. The SMSF earns:

  • $60,000 in assessable income
  • $100,000 in non-assessable income.

The trustees of the fund decide that the following method is a fair and reasonable way to apportion these expenses:

  • audit expense × (assessable income ÷ total income)
  • = $1,500 × ($60,000 ÷ $160,000).

This results in an amount of $562 for audit expenses claimed as a deduction by the fund.

End of example

 

Example 3

Sanchez SMSF has both pension and accumulation members. It does not segregate its assets.

The trustees obtain an actuary’s certificate to determine the proportion of the fund’s income that is exempt current pension income. The actuary certifies that 40% of the fund’s income is exempt.

The trustees engage an accounting firm to undertake the administrative functions of the fund. The accounting firm charges a fixed upfront fee of $1,500 per annum for the following services:

  • preparation of annual financial statements
  • preparation and lodgment of the fund’s annual return
  • arranging for the annual audit of the fund
  • preparing member benefits statements
  • preparation of reports on the fund’s investments.

The fixed fee of $1,500 is not calculated according to the cost of each particular service. The expense therefore cannot be easily divided into distinct and severable parts.

The trustees decide that it would be fair and reasonable to use the exempt income percentage as certified on the actuary’s certificate. This determines the proportion of the accountant’s fee that is deductible. They calculate this as follows:

  • Expense × assessable income %

$1,500 × (100% − 40%) = $900.

This results in a portion of $900 of the $1,500 fee that can be claimed as a deduction.

End of example

Capital versus revenue expenses

An expense that is incurred in establishing or making enduring changes to a super fund’s structure or function is capital in nature and is not deductible under the general deduction provision. For example, the costs of establishing an SMSF are capital in nature. An expense incurred in acquiring a capital asset is also usually capital in nature. Refer to the example under trust deed amendments.

On the other hand, an expense that is incurred in making changes to the internal organisation or day to day running of the fund is not considered to be capital in nature provided such changes do not result in an advantage of a lasting character. If a super fund is carrying on a business, it may be entitled to deduct certain capital expenses under the specific deduction provision, section 40-880 of the ITAA 1997. Refer to Is a super fund carrying on a business?

Section 8-1 of the ITAA 1997 does not allow a deduction for expenditure of a capital, private or domestic nature or expenditure incurred in gaining or producing exempt income.

Example

Julia and John are members in a two-member SMSF. They are individual trustees. When Julia dies, John decides to change the SMSF to a single member fund with a corporate trustee. He does this once the death benefit has been paid from the fund.

In addition to the usual fund expenses incurred in running the fund, John incurs the following additional expenses:

  • legal expenses to amend the trust deed to change the fund to a single member fund with corporate trustee – $300
  • Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) fees associated with setting up the corporate trustee.

The SMSF will not be able to claim either of these amounts. The legal expenses of $300 are of a capital nature. This is because they are incurred in making enduring changes to the structure of the fund. ASIC fees incurred in setting up the corporate trustee are also capital in nature. In any event, they are not considered to be expenses incurred by the fund.

Refer to Trust deed amendments for further examples.

End of example

See also:

QC53481