Taxpayers are responsible for safely storing a written backup copy of their tax record in case the original electronic form becomes inaccessible or unreadable.
Where the tax records are accidently lost or destroyed from a burglary or fire, the ATO will allow a taxpayer to claim a deduction for certain expenses. The conditions are:
– The taxpayer has a complete copy of a lost or destroyed document.
– The ATO is satisfied that the taxpayer took acceptable precautions to avoid the loss or destruction of the form. If the tax record was a written document, it is not reasonably possible to attain a substitute document.
It is important that taxpayers keep a record of these circumstances and inform the tax office in writing to back up the claim.
Setting up an SMSF fund is the simplest step. Establishing a fund which delivers you consistent returns from your investments is much more difficult.
Investing successfully involves determining precise goals and picking investments which will effectively achieve those goals. The advantage of SMSFs is that you can build a portfolio which reflects your short-term and long-term goals in response to changing market conditions.
In an SMSF fund, your investment options are:
Australian and international shares (listed and unlisted)
Residential or commercial property
Cash and term deposits
Fixed income products
Physical commodities
Property
Collectibles
Before you begin investing, consider what might be the best way to diversify your portfolio. How you portion your investments will depend on your funds, the market, and your goals. Regardless of what your plan is, diversification should be a priority.
Choosing an SMSF as opposed to an industry or retail super fund provides you with more flexibility, but also with more responsibility. Researching before investing is key if you want the best out of your SMSF.
