FirstTech Podcast

On 13 October 2025, the Treasurer announced significant changes to the yet to be legislated Division 296 tax rules – which proposes to tax the earnings attributable to a person’s total super balance over $3m at higher rates. In this podcast we discuss the proposed changes, what they could potentially mean for impacted members and funds, and outstanding uncertainties where further clarity is needed.

Craig Day, Linda Bruce, Richard Chen, Alex Denham and Kim Guest discuss the latest technical news including changes announced to the proposed Division 296 tax, Payday Super, super releases under compassionate grounds, ATO directing SMSF trustees to undertake education and 1 November 2025 aged care changes.

Craig Day and Linda Bruce answer our question of the month, which discusses what happens where a member/trustee of an SMSF undertakes work on a fund asset that they technically need to charge for to avoid the fund incurring a non-arm’s length expense. 

Craig Day and Kim Guest answer our question of the month, which discusses a situation where a client has moved overseas and is considering selling their former main residence in Australia. Will they qualify for the main residence exemption?

Craig Day and Tim Sanderson discuss one of the most widely used superannuation strategies: the re-contribution strategy. Done right, this strategy has a number of benefits for many clients. However, get it wrong and it can create frustrating headaches that are hard to fix.

Craig Day and Kim Guest discuss the latest technical news including upcoming aged care reforms, ATO corporate plan for SMSFs, update on Division 296 and the deeming rate increase.

Craig Day, Alex Denham and Richard Chen answer our question of the month, which discusses a situation where a couple get together later in life and both own their own home. Who can make a downsizer contribution and in respect of which home?

When a client passes away an option for their spouse is to take their death benefit in the form of an income stream, such as an account based pension. However, these death benefit pensions have a number of rules and issues associated with them that can unexpectedly catch advisers out from time to time.

Craig Day, Tim Sanderson, Linda Bruce, Kim Guest and Peter Wheatland discuss the latest technical news including the increase to deeming rates, economic roundtable, consultation on retirement income streams and ATO warnings on accessing super on compassionate grounds.For more information, see Latest News on the FirstTech site