Tribunal highlights responsibility of SMSF trustee
A recent matter before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal has highlighted the importance of what it means to be a trustee of a self-managed super fund (SMSF). The case involved a trustee of an SMSF along with her husband. In 2006, some $3,460,000 was removed from the SMSF and transferred to an overseas bank account of the husband. The Commissioner issued a non-complying notice to the taxpayer along with an income tax and penalty assessment. Among other things, the taxpayer argued she had no knowledge of her husband’s acts as co-trustee and that the SMSF was entitled to a deduction for the misappropriated funds. However, the Tribunal affirmed the non-complying status of the SMSF and held there was no deduction available in this case. It also affirmed the 75% shortfall penalty. The taxpayer has appealed to the Federal Court against the decision.
