AAT offers clarity on jurisdictive power
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has clarified whether or not it has the jurisdictive power to hear cases on excess non-concessional contribution tax claims.
Speaking to SMSF Adviser, AMP SMSF head of policy, technical and educational services Peter Burgess said an excess contributions case last year had raised questions of whether the AAT did have the ability to hear excess contribution tax cases.
“There’s a case going on at the moment where the ATO has sought some clarification on this issue and the tribunal has ruled they do have jurisdiction to hear these claims,” said Mr Burgess.
The ATO has stated the decision is consistent with its long standing practices anyway, he added.
“The other interesting part to this was that the ATO pointed out there is now a difference in the objection rights that tax payers have as a result of the new refunding of excess non-concessional contributions,” Mr Burgess said.
“Where they do seek a refund of a non-concessional excess contribution then they can’t object against the commissioner’s decision not to exercise discretion or the way that discretion was exercised.
“However, they do have the right to object against a tax assessment notice under [current law], so it’s a slightly different approach.
“What they are objecting against would be their tax assessment, so it’s a slightly different process they would have to go through as a result of a refund situation,” he said.
Miranda Brownlee
Miranda Brownlee is the deputy editor of SMSF Adviser, which is the leading source of news, strategy and educational content for professionals working in the SMSF sector.
Since joining the team in 2014, Miranda has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest superannuation stories in Australia, and has reported extensively on technical strategy and legislative updates.
Miranda also has broad business and financial services reporting experience, having written for titles including Investor Daily, ifa and Accountants Daily.
