Race to EOFY as 35% of SMSFs still lodging

“Pleasingly to date we have about 65 per cent of lodgments that have come in and that's good — perhaps good or bad we'll see where we land by the end of the year,” said Mr O’Halloran.

Analysis conducted by Class earlier in June based on Class users indicated that as of 31 May 2018, total SMSF lodgments were trailing the lodgment rate last year by 10 per cent.

Mr O’Halloran also said that around 30,000 funds have now claimed CGT relief.

“The decision to apply for CGT relief is important. Trustees who want to apply for CGT relief need to advise us by completing the election within the CGT schedule together with the relevant CGT questions in the in the SMSF annual return,” he said.

“It is in fact an irrevocable decision. It's an important one. It's a transitional one. So when completing that election, it is particularly important to do it on time because the CGT relief is not automatic.”

He also highlighted the importance of keeping up with the new reporting requirements with the transfer balance cap and total superannuation balance.

“When reporting existing pensions, and by that I mean ones being paid prior to 1 July 2017, it's important to report the date as at 30 June 2017 as this allows us to do some pretty important things,” he said.

“It identifies cap defined benefit pensions including market-linked pensions and if the individual qualified for the transitional period arrangements, back before December 2017 to bring their transfer balance cap back to $1.6 million.”