Save
New ATO ruling tipped for pensions
Colonial First State expects that the ATO will release a public ruling on a transition to retirement income stream (TRIS) strategy involving payments being taxed as a lump sum.
New ATO ruling tipped for pensions
Colonial First State expects that the ATO will release a public ruling on a transition to retirement income stream (TRIS) strategy involving payments being taxed as a lump sum.

Speaking to nestegg.com.au's sister publication SMSF Adviser, Colonial First State executive manager Craig Day said following the issue of a private binding ruling by the ATO last year, allowing the use of this strategy, it is likely the ATO will now be dealing with a large number of private binding ruling (PBR) requests on the same issue.
Mr Day said the ATO will be considering how it can efficiently respond to all these requests and will look to release further guidance to clarify the issue rather than having to deal with a large number of PBR requests separately.
“I would expect a clarification in the form of a ruling from the commissioner,” said Mr Day.
While the ATO released information last week highlighting the potential issues and ramifications of the strategy, Mr Day said this does not provide an ATO position on it.

The information stated, among other things, that “electing for a TRIS payment to be treated as a super lump sum for income tax purposes may affect the amount of the SMSF’s exempt current pension income for an income year and whether particular fund assets are segregated current pension assets”.
The ATO’s full release can be found here.
“What this appears to say is that the ATO has identified that as a potential issue but don’t have a position on it yet,” said Mr Day.
“Until this issue is clarified it would be prudent, if you wanted to implement this strategy, to seek your own private binding ruling.”
He also warned that if the ATO concludes that treating TRIS payments as a super lump sum for income tax purposes does affect the amount of exempt current pension income, then this could also impact a fund’s ability to claim exempt current pension income where they have taken a commutation out of the fund.
“It’s completely different to this [TRIS] strategy but where they’ve actually commuted and taken a lump sum and elected for it to be taken as a lump sum that would also appear to be impacted by what they’re saying.”
The ATO will have to take this into consideration when it formalises its view, he added.

Tax saving
The downsizer dividend: How targeted tax levers could unlock housing supply in Australia
A call by Raine & Horne to incentivise seniors to move to smaller homes has kicked off a wider policy conversation that reaches well beyond real estate. If designed well, a targeted package could ...Read more

Tax saving
Raine & Horne's bold move could unlock housing supply but what are the hidden risks
Raine & Horne’s call for targeted tax incentives to encourage empty nesters to ‘rightsize’ isn’t just another sector wish list; it’s a potential lever to free up family homes, ease rental ...Read more

Tax saving
From annual check-ups to always‑on: how modern portfolio reviews unlock after‑tax alpha
The era of once‑a‑year portfolio check‑ins is over. Continuous, tech‑enabled reviews now drive returns through tax efficiency, risk control and behavioural discipline—especially in a high‑rate ...Read more

Tax saving
Navigating tax laws for capital gains in 2023
The landscape of Australian tax laws surrounding capital gains is ever-changing, with 2023 being no exception. Read more

Tax saving
What you need to know about the tax implications of crypto
One million Aussies are now invested in crypto, but many have not thought about how these investments will affect them at tax time. Read more

Tax saving
Welfare overhaul could give recipients a leg-up
Australia’s Centrelink recipients who’ve been doing it tough are in for a potentially easier time if the federal government pursues ambitious reforms that could provide sturdier safety nets. Read more

Tax saving
Students should think twice before tapping into their super
Former students might want to think carefully before they look to take advantage of the federal government’s biggest first home buyer incentive. Read more

Tax saving
Advocates call for an end to tax cuts
Social services sector advocates have warned that further tax cuts may make solving Australia’s biggest challenges much harder. Read more

Tax saving
The downsizer dividend: How targeted tax levers could unlock housing supply in Australia
A call by Raine & Horne to incentivise seniors to move to smaller homes has kicked off a wider policy conversation that reaches well beyond real estate. If designed well, a targeted package could ...Read more

Tax saving
Raine & Horne's bold move could unlock housing supply but what are the hidden risks
Raine & Horne’s call for targeted tax incentives to encourage empty nesters to ‘rightsize’ isn’t just another sector wish list; it’s a potential lever to free up family homes, ease rental ...Read more

Tax saving
From annual check-ups to always‑on: how modern portfolio reviews unlock after‑tax alpha
The era of once‑a‑year portfolio check‑ins is over. Continuous, tech‑enabled reviews now drive returns through tax efficiency, risk control and behavioural discipline—especially in a high‑rate ...Read more

Tax saving
Navigating tax laws for capital gains in 2023
The landscape of Australian tax laws surrounding capital gains is ever-changing, with 2023 being no exception. Read more

Tax saving
What you need to know about the tax implications of crypto
One million Aussies are now invested in crypto, but many have not thought about how these investments will affect them at tax time. Read more

Tax saving
Welfare overhaul could give recipients a leg-up
Australia’s Centrelink recipients who’ve been doing it tough are in for a potentially easier time if the federal government pursues ambitious reforms that could provide sturdier safety nets. Read more

Tax saving
Students should think twice before tapping into their super
Former students might want to think carefully before they look to take advantage of the federal government’s biggest first home buyer incentive. Read more

Tax saving
Advocates call for an end to tax cuts
Social services sector advocates have warned that further tax cuts may make solving Australia’s biggest challenges much harder. Read more