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Tag Archive: super

  1. Cyber Security

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    With the growth of the online world, the importance of strong cyber security and cyber awareness is becoming increasingly important. Cyber security is not just important for businesses but also for individuals and families. Scams are becoming more and more common, and it is important to be aware of the signs of a scam to safe online.

    What are Cyber Scams?

    A cyber scam is when someone uses emails, messages, phone calls and any other online platform to pretend to be another individual or organisation. This could be someone you think you know or someone you think you should trust. They do this to try and get you to send them usually some sort of currency or personal information.

    ATO Impersonation Scam

    There has been a recent email being sent impersonating the ATO. This email mentions a security update and asks for you to update your multifactor authentication through scanning a QR code. This then leads you to a fake myGov page designed to steal your sign in details. It is important to note that the ATO will never send you an email with a QR code or a link to log into the portal.

    Some Signs of a Scam

    • The message is unexpected and comes out of the blue.
    • The message is not the same formatting or written as it normally would be.
    • Theres an unreasonable deadline or sense of urgency.
    • There is a promise of a benefit or threat of punishment (debt, fine, jail).
    • There are links to follow, QR codes to scan.
    • They may be asking for money, gift cards, log in details and other personal details.

    If You Think You Have Received a Scam

    1. Go Straight to the Trusted Source – Visit the official website, log on to your account, call the official phone number and discuss what you have received to confirm if it was real. Do not get this contact information from the scam.
    2. Do Not Click on Links, Open Attachments or Reply – Scammers may try to trick you into giving personal information. They may ask for your bank account details, passwords or credit card numbers. They may also ask you to download files, software, or allow remote access to your computer. Do not click on these!
    3. Use Identification to Confirm if Genuine. – You can check website links by looking at them if they are claiming to be a government body and the link does not end in “.gov.au” it is a sign it is fake. You can also confirm phone numbers on official websites.

    As always, don’t hesitate to contact one of the friendly Greenlight Super Services team members if you require further assistance on (02) 6273 1066 or info@glss.com.au.

    This newsletter is for general information only. Every effort has been made to ensure that it is accurate, however it is not intended to be a complete description of the matters described. The newsletter has been prepared without taking in to account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. The information contained is correct as of 11 December 2023.

  2. Super Budget 2023

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    Welcome to our latest newsletter, Budget Edition, in which we provide a brief summary of the few super related measures that were in the budget.

    Please remember that the following budget announcements are not yet law.

    Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions

    The Government will be going ahead with its previously announced measure to reduce the tax concessions available to individuals with a total superannuation balance exceeding $3million, from 1 July 2025.

    This reform is intended to ensure that superannuation concessions are better targeted and sustainable. It will bring the headline tax rate to 30 per cent, up from 15 per cent, for earnings corresponding to the proportion of an individual’s total superannuation balance that is greater than $3 million.

    Unless this proposed approach is modified, unrealised gains, accounting adjustments, and/or book entries and tax refunds will potentially be subject to this new tax.

    Stay tuned to further developments.

    Superannuation Guarantee – Changes to payment frequency

    From 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay their employees’ compulsory SG entitlements on the same day that they pay salary and wages. Currently, employers are only required to pay their employees’ SG on a quarterly basis.

    This measure will increase the payment frequency of superannuation to align with the payment of salary and wages, ensuring employees have greater visibility over whether their entitlements have been paid and better enable the ATO to recover unpaid superannuation amounts.

    Non-arm’s length income (NALI)

    The Government is proposing to amend the non-arm’s length income (NALI) provisions that apply to certain expenses incurred by superannuation funds.

    Specifically relevant to SMSF trustees, the Government is proposing to limit the level of a fund’s income that is potentially taxable as NALI to twice the level of the shortfall amount of the expense (it was previously proposed that it would be five times the level of the shortfall amount of the expense).

    Additionally, fund income taxable as NALI will exclude contributions.

    30 June 2023 Year End Reminder – Pension drawdowns and contributions

    With 30 June 2023 fast approaching, here is a timely reminder of two very important issues to consider:

    1. If you are in pension mode, please ensure that you have withdrawn at least the minimum pension drawdown by 30 June 2023.
    2. For those taxpayers that are in accumulation mode and contributing to superannuation – please make sure that contributions are received by the super fund by 30 June 2023. This means that payments should be made several business days before then, to ensure that funds are cleared.

    Also, just a quick reminder that the concessional contribution cap is $27,500 per member and the non-concessional contribution cap is $110,000 per member.

    Minimum pension drawdowns from 1 July 2023

    Minimum pension payments will no longer by reduced by 50% and will return to normal levels in 2023/24. Please bear in mind the need for extra cashflow when planning for the year ahead.

    Also, it may be that some members considering making extra pension payments now (above the minimum required for 2022/23) may wish to consider holding off until July 2023 to make up some of next year’s payments.

    As always, don’t hesitate to contact one of the friendly Greenlight Super Services team members if you require further assistance on (02) 6273 1066 or info@glss.com.au.

    This newsletter is for general information only. Every effort has been made to ensure that it is accurate, however it is not intended to be a complete description of the matters described. The newsletter has been prepared without taking in to account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. The information contained is correct as of 10 May 2023.

  3. Budget Edition

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    Welcome to our latest newsletter, Budget Edition, in which we provide a brief summary of super and retirement related measures.

    Please remember that the following budget announcements are not yet law.

    Reducing the eligibility age for downsizer contributions

    The eligibility age to make downsizer contributions into superannuation is set to be reduced from 60 to 55 years of age. All other eligibility criteria will remain unchanged.

    This change will provide a boost to the number of individuals eligible to make a one-off, post-tax contribution to their superannuation of up to $300,000, using the sale proceeds of their family home – regardless of their superannuation balance.

    Relaxing residency requirements for SMSFs

    Previously announced in the 2021/2022 Budget, the residency requirements applicable to SMSFs and small APRA funds were set to be relaxed through:

    • The extension of the central management and control test “safe harbour” from two to five years, and
    • The removal of the “active member” test – which would allow members who are temporarily absent from Australia to continue contributing to their SMSF.

    The Government has confirmed that these changes, broadly aimed at allowing greater flexibility for SMSF members who are temporarily overseas, are still set to go ahead. However, the start date for both measures has been deferred.

    Increased Commonwealth Seniors Health Card income threshold

    The Government has confirmed its commitment to increase the income threshold for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card eligibility from $61,284 to $90,000 for singles and from $98,054 to $144,000 (combined) for couples.

    This change will increase the number of individuals eligible to benefit from a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

    Incentivising Pensioners to Downsize

    The current Centrelink asset test exemption for proceeds from the sale of a family home, intended for the purchase of a new home, will be extended from 12 months to 24 months.

    Additionally, for income test purposes, only the lower deeming rate (currently 0.25%) will apply to these exempted proceeds over the 24-month period. These changes will allow pensioners more time to purchase, build or renovate a new home before their pension is affected

    Freezing of deeming rates

    The Government has also confirmed that it will freeze the social security deeming rates at their current levels until 30 June 2024.

    This change will support older Australians who rely on income from deemed financial investments, as well as the pension, to deal with the rising cost of living.

    As always, don’t hesitate to contact one of the friendly Greenlight Super Services team members if you require further assistance on (02) 6273 1066 or info@glss.com.au.

    This newsletter is for general information only. Every effort has been made to ensure that it is accurate, however it is not intended to be a complete description of the matters described. The newsletter has been prepared without taking in to account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. The information contained is correct as of 26 October 2022

  4. Director ID – CALL TO ACTION

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    Welcome to our latest newsletter, Director ID Edition, in which we remind you of an important deadline coming up.

    About Director ID

    All company directors are now required to apply for a Director ID.

    A director identification number (‘Director ID’) is a unique identifier given to a director who has verified their identity with Australian Business Registry Services (‘ABRS’).

    The Director ID system is designed to help prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities.

    Note that it is a criminal offence if you do not apply for a Director ID by the deadline. ASIC is responsible for enforcing director ID offences set out in the Corporations Act 2001.

    Who needs to apply and when

    Any person that is a director of a company will need to apply for their own Director ID and they will keep that same Director ID forever.

    Exactly when you need to apply depends on when you became a director, as illustrated by the following table:

    Date you first became a directorDate you must apply
    On or before 31 October 2021By 30 November 2022
    Between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022Within 28 days of appointment
    From 5 April 2022Before appointment

    This means that if you were already a director of a company before 31 October 2021, you need to apply for your director ID as soon as possible as the deadline is 30 November 2022.

    How to apply for your Director ID

    The fastest way to get a Director ID is to apply online using the myGovID app. There is no fee, and you only need to apply once. Note that no one can apply for you, as you need to prove your identity when you apply.

    Step 1 (only necessary if you don’t already have myGovID set up)

    You need to set up a myGovID with a Standard identity strength which requires at least 2 of the following Australian identity documents to verify your identity:

    • Driver’s licence or learner’s permit
    • Passport (not more than 3 years expired)
    • Birth certificate
    • Citizenship certificate
    • Medicare card
    • Visa (using your foreign passport)
    • Immicard

    You can set up myGovID by downloading the app and following the prompts.

    If you do not have at least two of the documents listed above, then go to Step 4.

    Step 2 – Gather your documents

    Once you have set up your myGovID, you must have further information that the ATO knows about you in order to apply online for your Director ID. You will need:

    • Your tax file number
    • Your residential address as held by the ATO
    • Information from 2 documents to verify your identity (eg ATO Notice of Assessment, APRA fund account details, a dividend statement, a PAYG or a Centrelink payment summary)

    Step 3 – Complete your application

    Log in to ABRS online using your myGovID to complete your application (best to do this on your computer rather than mobile phone, but you need to have both devices, as a code will pop on the mobile that will need to be accepted). The process does not take long if you have already gathered your documents as per Step 2. The link is https://www.abrs.gov.au/director-identification-number/apply-director-identification-number

    Step 4

    If you are unable to set up myGovID, or you don’t have the required Australian identity documents to apply online, how you apply depends on where you live.

    If you live in Australia, you can call 13 62 50. Note that you will be asked to verify your identity.

    If you live outside of Australia, you can apply by using a paper application form:

    Application for a director identification number (NAT 75433, PDF 651KB).

    Once you have your Director ID

    Please contact us to provide your Director ID once you have it, and make sure that you keep the number in a safe place as this is a number that you will have for life.

    As always, don’t hesitate to contact one of the friendly Greenlight Super Services team members if you require further assistance on (02) 6273 1066 or info@glss.com.au.

    This newsletter is for general information only. Every effort has been made to ensure that it is accurate, however it is not intended to be a complete description of the matters described. The newsletter has been prepared without taking in to account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. The information contained is correct as of 7 September 2022

  5. All Things Budget 2022

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    Welcome to our latest newsletter, Budget Edition, in which we consider the main items in the budget handed down on 29 March 2022 that may impact our super clients.

    Extension of the temporary reduction in super minimum draw down rates

    The Government has extended the 50% reduction of the superannuation minimum drawdown requirements for account-based pensions and similar products for a further year to 30 June 2023. The minimum drawdown requirements determine the minimum amount of a pension that a retiree must draw from their superannuation to qualify for tax concessions.

    Given ongoing volatility, this change will allow retirees to avoid selling assets to satisfy the minimum drawdown requirements.

    Based on this change, the effective reduced minimum percentage factors for account-based pensions (‘ABPs’) (including Transition to Retirement Income Streams (‘TRISs’)), are set out in the following table for the 2023 income year.

    Note that, for ABPs and TRISs that commence or cease part-way through the 2023 income year, a pro-rated minimum pension payment applies (unless the pension commenced on or after 1 June 2023, in which case, no minimum pension payment is required).

    Recipient’s ageMinimum percentage factor  Reduced minimum percentage factor
    Under 654%2%
    65 to 745%2.5%
    75 to 796%3%
    80 to 847%3.5%
    85 to 899%4.5%
    90 to 9411%5.5%
    95 and above14%7%

    Cost of living payment

    This consists of a $250 economic support payment to help eligible recipients with higher cost of living pressures. The payment will be made in April 2022 to eligible recipients that receive payments

    such as the age pension, the disability support pension, the Eligible Veterans’ Affairs payment, or that hold a concessional card such as the Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, or the Veteran Gold card (note that this is not an exhaustive list).

    Increase to low and middle income tax offset (‘LMITO’)

    The Government has announced a one-off $420 cost of living tax offset for the 2022 income year for those with income under $126,000, which will be provided in the form of an increase to the existing LMITO. This will increase the maximum LMITO benefit to $1,500 for individuals and $3,000 for couples and will be paid from 1 July 2022 when Australians submit their tax returns for the 2022 income year.

    Temporary reduction in fuel excise

    Higher fuel prices will be temporarily reduced by halving the excise rate that applies to petrol and diesel for six months. The current rate of excise is 44.2 cents per litre and will reduce to 22.1 cents per litre under this measure, which is to commence from 12.01am on 30 March 2022.

    As always, don’t hesitate to contact one of the friendly Greenlight Super Services team members if you require further assistance on (02) 6273 1066 or info@glss.com.au.

    This newsletter is for general information only. Every effort has been made to ensure that it is accurate, however it is not intended to be a complete description of the matters described. The newsletter has been prepared without taking in to account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. The information contained is correct as of 31 March 2022