Residency of a SMSF

Trustees need to ensure their SMSF is an Australian SMSF. SMSFs that breach the residency rules are taxed, not at the concessionary rate of 15%, but at the marginal tax rate of 46.5%. So make sure that your SMSF is a resident Australian SMSF.

Trustees can set up and manage a self-managed superannuation fund from overseas if they are outside Australia for a temporarily period. The ATO’s temporary absence rules generally allow a Trustee to be overseas for no more than 2 years, though exceptions can be made in certain circumstances.

What is the test for Residency?
The SMSF should meet the following three criteria:

 Criteria 1: Fund establishment in Australia 
An SMSF is established in Australia when the initial contribution to the SMSF is paid to and accepted by the Trustees in Australia. The Trust Deed does not have to be signed and executed in Australia.If an SMSF was not established in Australia, it will satisfy the test if at least one asset of the SMSF is situated in Australia.

However, an SMSF established outside Australia will satisfy the test if at least one asset of the SMSF is situated in Australia.

Criteria 2: Central management and control 
According to the ATO, the central management and control of an SMSF involves a focus on the high-level decision-making processes and activities of the SMSF. The SMSF will be resident where the central management and control takes place.

Criteria 3: The Active Member test 
The third test is the ‘active member’ test. This is satisfied when at least 50% of the market value or Fund value is held by active members who are Australian residents.

More information
For more information on super fund residency rules, you can view the ATO guidance on SMSF residency by clicking here.

The ‘2 year rule’ 
The central management and control of the SMSF can be taken as ordinarily in Australia even if it is temporarily outside Australia for periods of not more than 2 years. Unfortunately, the 2 year rule is sometimes misunderstood: to clarify it is not an exception available to all Trustees irrespective of the facts and intentions surrounding their absence.
If an absence is permanent the 2 year rule does not apply. Even an absence of less than 2 years could be ‘permanent’ and the central management and control could therefore be outside Australia (e.g. if a Trustee or Trustees departed with the intention of being away indefinitely but  returned after only 18 months due to ill health).

Conversely, in certain situations, an absence of more than two years may be acceptable. This could be the case for example if a Trustee, leaving the country with the intention of being away for a defined period of less than two years in order to fulfil some specific purpose, was forced to remain overseas due to unforeseen circumstances. In a case such as this, the ATO would normally be satisfied that central management and control of the SMSF continued to be ordinarily in Australia.

If 50% of the Trustees are in Australia and 50% overseas, the central management and control of the fund is in Australia if both sets of Trustees equally participate in exercising the central management and control, however, the ATO takes the view that this would rarely be the case.

Power of Attorney
Trustees can still be part of a SMSF even if they are overseas on a permanent basis. This is made possible by taking out a Power of Attorney for the management and control of the SMSF. While overseas, Members are not allowed to contribute to the SMSF. The ATO’s ruling on this (Self-Managed Superannuation Funds Ruling SMSFR 2010/2) sets out all the requirements for a POA.

Conclusion 
Moving overseas will not necessarily mean the SMSF has to be wound up. With careful planning, the SMSF can remain an Australian SMSF. Trustees should seek professional advice before going overseas permanently or temporarily for two years or more. Feel free to  contact us for your queries on SMSF residency.

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