2016 February ClearNews

Welcome to ClearNews February 2016.

Every few months, ClearNews tells you what's new at Cleardocs. We also send you monthly ClearLaw emails discussing legal developments relevant to the documents we provide.

Accountants need to get RG 146-compliant now

We are now only a few days away from ASIC's soft deadline (1 March 2016) for accountants to apply for their "limited AFS licence". Those who don't take action, risk being unable to operate their SMSF establishment business or forced to work under someone else's banner from July when the "accountant's exemption" ceases. Read More

Getting cohesive for the long term in family business

The best family businesses can grow for generations, but, unfortunately, many families struggle to attain long-lasting continuity. What sets successful family businesses apart? In one word: intentionality. Successful businesses have a self-awareness power, and they don't act randomly or on a whim.

Previously, I've outlined some of the major missteps that contribute to family business failure: lack of financial education for successors, not teaching responsibility or sharing values, ineffective corporate governance structures, and little-to-no succession planning. Here, I want to shift gears and focus on being proactive and making positive decisions. Here are three things every family business should try to build. Read More

Checkpoint Learning — Flexible Learning, Delivered by Industry Experts

With flexible program delivery and high-quality tax, accounting and financial content, Checkpoint Learning programs provide delegates with the skills and expertise required to keep up with industry developments. By attending Checkpoint Learning programs professionals are able to obtain CPD points.

Introduction to the Taxation of Trusts — 1 hour live webinar (1 CPD point)
1-2 PM AEST, 9 March 2016
Presented by Peter McCullough, Practice Head, Tax Group, Ashurst Australia and Sanjay Wavde, Senior Associate, Tax Group, Ashurst Australia.

This webinar will cover the following topics:

• Basic rules for the taxation of trusts
• Rules for streaming of franked distributions and capital gains
• Tax considerations for foreign trusts
• Overview of the special rules for Managed Investment Trusts

The webinar will equip attendees to deal with basic taxation issues concerning trusts, including trust deed and trust resolution drafting and advising on taxation issues involving trusts.

To register, visit http://onesourcetraining.thomsonreuters.com.au/au/course-catalogue/other/checkpoint-learning/au-events/42-introduction-to-the-taxation-of-trusts-webinar

Understanding the Tax Anti-Avoidance Rules — 1 hour live webinar (1 CPD point)
1-2 PM AEST, 23 March 2016
Presented by Peter McCullough, Practice Head, Tax Group, Ashurst Australia and Sanjay Wavde, Senior Associate, Tax Group, Ashurst Australia

This webinar will cover the following topics:

• Overview of Part IVA — the main provisions
• Overview of Part IVA case law
• The impact of the recent amendments to Part IVA
• The anti-capital and dividend streaming rules

This webinar will equip attendees to understand the framework of the main anti-avoidance provisions in Part IVA and the case law principles that have emerged in relation to those provisions, to understand the effect of the changes to the rules and to be aware of the various anti-avoidance rules that deal with "streaming" of dividends or capital to shareholders.

To register, visit http://onesourcetraining.thomsonreuters.com.au/au/course-catalogue/other/checkpoint-learning/au-events/41-understanding-the-tax-antiavoidance-rules-webinar

Monthly Tax Update Webinars — 1 hour recorded webinar
Upcoming webinars: 8 March 2016

The content of the Monthly Tax Update Webinars is developed from a source you know you can trust — Thomson Reuters' Weekly Tax Bulletin.

The monthly one hour webinars — worth One CPD point for each webinar — will focus on:

• New proposed tax legislation;
• New ATO guidance material; and
• New tax court cases.

To register, visit http://onesourcetraining.thomsonreuters.com.au/au/course-catalogue/other/checkpoint-learning/au-events/36-monthly-tax-update-webinars

Call 1800 074 333 or email trainingANZ@thomsonreuters.com