End of Year Bumper Checklist

30 Apr 2026

Written by

David Busoli, Principal

It’s that time of year again when we look to tidy up all those end-of-year items. I don’t usually use AI for this blog, but I got it to help me this time – to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

What Must Be Done Before 30 June

Contributions

Concessional contributions: Must be received into the fund’s bank account by 30 June — anything still in transit simply doesn’t count.
Non-concessional contributions: Ensure eligibility and that funds are cleared before year-end to avoid breaching caps.
Carry-forward caps: Final chance to use expiring unused caps (particularly 2020/21 amounts).

Pension Management

Minimum pension payments: Must be paid before 30 June. Miss it and the pension can lose its tax-exempt status for the entire year.
TTR pensions: Ensure the 10% maximum has not been exceeded — breaches are not easily unwound.
Excess pension drawings: Consider whether these should be treated as lump sum commutations before year-end.

Compliance & Transactions

Related-party payments: Ensure rent, loan repayments, and distributions are physically paid before 30 June.
In-house asset position: Confirm the 5% threshold is not breached at year-end.
LRBA repayments: Ensure all required payments have been made in line with loan terms.
Off-market transfers: All paperwork must be completed by 30 June — timing can be tight.

Tax & Investment Actions

Capital gains/losses: Realise gains or losses before 30 June where tax outcomes need managing.
Wash sale risk: Avoid last-minute “paper losses” that don’t involve genuine market exposure.

Practical Cut-Off Items

Bank transactions: Ensure sufficient cash and cleared funds for all required payments.
Clearing house timing: Contributions via clearing houses should be done well in advance — late June is too late.

What to Review Before 30 June

Strategic Contributions

Bring-forward strategy: Consider timing contributions across June and July to maximise caps.
Recontribution strategy: Evaluate converting taxable to tax-free components for estate planning benefits.
Downsizer contributions: Assess whether now is the right time to use this once-only opportunity.
Spouse contributions & splitting: Useful for tax offsets and long-term balance equalisation.
Contribution reserving: Consider for timing deductions and managing income spikes.

Tax & Structural Planning

Div 296 planning: High-balance members should start modelling now — the 2026 cost-base reset is critical.
Capital gains position: Consider whether gains should be crystallised or deferred.

Compliance & Valuations

Asset valuations: Ensure all assets are supported by market evidence — especially property.
Property valuations: Prepare supporting documentation (sales data, appraisals, rental evidence).
NALI / NALE exposure: Confirm all transactions and services are at arm’s length.

Borrowing (LRBAs)

Safe harbour compliance: Confirm loan terms align with ATO guidelines or are properly supported.
Interest rates: Ensure correct benchmark rates are being applied.

Reporting & Administration

TBAR obligations: Track events to ensure timely reporting post year-end.
SuperStream readiness: Confirm ESA and banking setup for contributions.
Documentation: Ensure all key decisions are minuted and records are complete.
Investment strategy: Must reflect actual investments and be reviewed annually.

Structure & Ownership

Asset ownership: Confirm all assets are correctly registered in the trustee’s name.
Trustee structure: Reassess whether a corporate trustee is appropriate.

Estate Planning

BDBNs: Check validity, wording, and expiry.
Reversionary pensions: Confirm they align with the intended estate plan.
EPoAs: Ensure they are current and valid in the relevant jurisdiction.

Insurance

Policy review: Confirm cover remains appropriate for members’ circumstances.
Replacement risk: Be cautious replacing policies — new terms are often less favourable.

Other Key Areas