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SMSF investments in cryptocurrencies

Jun 23, 2021

The focus on cryptocurrency investments is being closely examined as it becomes more and more popular. It is important to ensure that investing in Cryptocurrencies is covered under the SMSF governing rules and allowable under the investment strategy.


The ATO view is that this type of investment is not classified as money and should be acquired through a reputable exchange and under no circumstances be acquired from its members.

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Therefore, if you want to buy Cryptocurrencies as an investment for your self-managed super fund, then you need to ensure the following.

 

Cryptocurrencies must be purchased in the name of your fund


Under no circumstances should Cryptocurrencies be purchased in the name of an individual SMSF member. It is a legal requirement for the trustees of self-managed super funds to separate the fund's assets from its individual members' personal assets.


This will ensure that the Cryptocurrencies investment satisfies the sole purpose test of SMSFs that is to provide retirement needs for their members. Failure to satisfy this sole purpose test can lead to severe penalties, including fines and the loss of your self-managed super fund's tax concessions.

 

Ideally, proceeds of the sale of any Cryptocurrencies should be transferred to your self-managed super fund's bank account and that you declare any profit or loss you have made as part of your fund's annual reporting.

 

Check that your SMSF trust deed has no restrictions on investing funds in assets like cryptocurrencies


Your SMSF trust deed must include Cryptocurrencies investments. As Cryptocurrencies are part of a relatively new asset class, it is unlikely that most SMSF deed would include a provision for investing into these currencies.

 

Ensure the investment complies with your self-managed super fund's diversified investment strategy


Before you start making investments you must have an investment strategy. It's a legal requirement for SMSFs to have an investment strategy. Your fund's compliance with this strategy is one of the things that is checked as part of your annual self-managed super fund audit.

 

Make your fund's auditor aware of the investment


It is a legal requirement for your self-managed super fund to be audited each year. Cryptocurrency assets are valued at the prevailing market rate at the end of each financial year.

 

Ensure your SMSF does not acquire Cryptocurrencies from one of its members or a related party


All self-managed super funds must be arm's length transactions.

 

It's also important to remember that an SMSF Cryptocurrencies investment is just like any other superannuation investment. You won't be able to access it until you reach your preservation age. The most common superannuation condition of release is retirement, provided you have reached your preservation age. 


If you have any questions, email us or phone or friendly team on 02 9899 3044.



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