Brief

On 16/12/2024, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) issued an update regarding Financial Dependant Checklist. This checklist is designed to assist applicants in collecting required documents for compassionate release of superannuation application, which may reduce delays or denial of approval. The checklist outlines eligibility criteria, evidence requirements, and implications of accessing super early, including tax considerations and financial dependant expenses documentation.

Things to consider when applying
This checklist will assist you to collect the required documents to support your compassionate release of super application, which may reduce delays, or your application not being approved.
Accessing super early can have significant financial impacts and should be a last resort. You need to read the information on our website before using this checklist as it contains more detailed information about:

eligibility criteria and evidence requirements for eligible expenses
implications of accessing your super early
how amounts withdrawn on compassionate grounds are taxed.

Important to note
If you borrowed money to pay for your or your dependant’s expenses, you may still be eligible. You will need to provide additional documents regarding the borrowed amount as part of your application.
Evidence required to support your application

A written statement or statutory declaration from you and the other person confirming:

that you make regular and continuous payments for the other person
that the payments have occurred for a significant period, and
the payment covers part or all their normal living expenses.

Financial documents showing the transactions related to the financial support provided for the other person. This can include:

your bank statements (or receipts) showing the payment of money to or on behalf of the other person
the other person's bank statements showing the receipt and expenditure of these payments, their normal living expenses, and any sources of income (payslips can also support the other persons income income).

These documents need to clearly show:

the value of any financial support
how regular the payments are and how long they've been ongoing
whether the other person's normal living expenses are financed by these payments and how they couldn't meet their normal living expenses (such as groceries, mortgage, rent, transportation costs, utility bills and medical expenses) without your support
other sources of income the dependant has.

Note: All documents need to show who they were issued to. Where you are providing bank statements, you need to ensure that the account holder's name and statement period are visible.
See Statutory declarations for information on how to access and complete the declaration. If you would like to print this checklist, select 'Print or Download' and 'Print page' from the dropdown list.

Highlights content goes here...

Purpose:
The purpose of this checklist is to assist individuals in collecting the required documents to support their compassionate release or superannuation application, which may reduce delays or ensure approval. This document aims to provide a comprehensive guide for applicants to gather necessary evidence and financial information to support their claim.

Effects on Industry:
The implementation of this checklist has significant implications for the financial services industry, particularly in relation to early access to superannuation funds. By providing a clear outline of required documents, this checklist helps ensure that applications are thoroughly reviewed, reducing the likelihood of delays or rejections due to incomplete or inaccurate submissions. This, in turn, promotes transparency and accountability within the industry, ultimately benefiting consumers who rely on these services.

Relevant Stakeholders:
The following stakeholders are affected by this update:

  • Individuals applying for compassionate release or superannuation benefits
  • Financial institutions and service providers responsible for processing applications
  • Industry regulators and governing bodies overseeing the administration of superannuation funds

These stakeholders must take necessary steps to comply with the updated guidelines, which include collecting and verifying required documents, providing clear explanations of eligibility criteria and evidence requirements, and ensuring that amounts withdrawn on compassionate grounds are taxed accordingly.

Next Steps:
To ensure compliance with this update, individuals applying for compassionate release or superannuation benefits should:

  • Carefully review the checklist to understand the required documentation
  • Gather and verify all necessary financial statements, bank records, and written statements or statutory declarations
  • Submit complete and accurate applications, ensuring that all supporting documents are properly completed and signed
  • Familiarize themselves with taxation implications and ensure that amounts withdrawn on compassionate grounds are reported accordingly

Any Other Relevant Information:
It is essential to note that this checklist does not replace detailed information provided on the website regarding eligibility criteria, evidence requirements, and implications of accessing superannuation early. Applicants should read this information carefully before using the checklist to ensure a thorough understanding of their situation. Additionally, if an individual has borrowed money to pay for expenses related to themselves or their dependants, they may still be eligible for compassionate release or superannuation benefits. In such cases, additional documents will need to be provided as part of the application process.

Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

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