article 3 months old

SMSFundamentals: Can An SMSF Invest In Gold?

SMSFundamentals | Apr 04 2017

SMSFundamentals is an ongoing feature series dedicated to providing SMSF trustees with valuable news, investment ideas and services, in line with SMSF requirements and obligations.

For an introduction and story archive please visit FNArena's SMSFundamentals website.

By Eleanor Tjondro, Townsends Business & Corporate Lawyers

Can an SMSF invest in gold?

Gold jewellery and gold coins/medallions will certainly come under the stricter rules prescribed by SIS Regulations

A recent client enquiry led us to take a closer examination of whether an SMSF can invest in gold.

A recent client enquiry led us to take a closer examination of the types of assets an SMSF can invest in. The enquiry concerned the acquisition of gold as an allowable investment under superannuation laws.

To ascertain whether an SMSF can invest in gold, we firstly need to look at legislation governing SMSFs. These are: the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (“the SIS Act”) and the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 (“the SIS Regulations”).  

The investment must firstly comply with s62 of the SIS Act. This section refers to the sole purpose test: that the sole purpose of the SMSF is to provide retirement benefits to its members. If an investment does not provide such benefits, it will not be an allowable SMSF investment under superannuation laws.

The value of gold has the ability to increase over time, similar to investing in shares, and therefore it can be argued that it can provide retirement benefits for the SMSF’s member.

Secondly, s109 of the SIS Act states that any investment transaction done by the SMSF must be at arm’s length, that is, on a commercial basis. For example, an asset acquired by the SMSF must be purchased at market value, and not lower, to comply.  

Furthermore, s62A of the SIS Act states that certain investments made, held or realised by the SMSF may come under stricter rules as prescribed by the SIS Regulations. The investments listed under s62A relate to items that are likely to be kept for personal use or enjoyment.

What is of interest here is the inclusion of ‘jewellery’ and ‘coins and medallions’ as gold can take those forms. Gold jewellery and gold coins/medallions will certainly come under the stricter rules prescribed by the SIS Regulations.

Gold in the form of jewellery is likely to be regarded as a personal use item and gold in the form of coins or medallions as a collectible. Both forms must comply with regulation 13.18AA of the SIS Regulations, which details how these items are to be to be stored if acquired as an SMSF investment. This is to ensure that the acquisition of these items appears, to a third party, to be a commercial transaction.

Gold in its basic physical form, such as gold bars, however, is unlikely to be subject to those stricter regulations.  The fundamental rule would appear to be that if the form of the precious metal has a value separate from the raw price of the metal itself then it is most likely an item of personal use or a collectible.  If on the other hand the value of the item is simply the spot price of the precious metal constituting the item then the item is not a personal use item or a collectable but simply an investment in precious metal.

Although superannuation laws do not prohibit investing in gold, this does not necessarily mean that your particular SMSF is able to. If your trust deed does not contain the relevant power to invest in precious metals, your SMSF is unable to invest.

It is extremely important that you carefully review your trust deed to ensure that the relevant investment power is there.

Finally, as trustee of an SMSF, you need to be aware of whether this investment is in line with your SMSF’s investment strategy.
 

Townsends Business & Corporate Lawyers
townsendslaw.com.au

Distributed by Chris Hocking Strategies

DISCLAIMER:  Please note that these comments are for your consideration only and are provided to assist you in deciding whether to proceed to obtain a formal opinion on the issue. These comments cannot be relied upon by either you or any of your clients until and unless we issue that formal opinion.

Find out why FNArena subscribers like the service so much: "Your Feedback (Thank You)" – Warning this story contains unashamedly positive feedback on the service provided.

 

Share on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterShare on LinkedIn

Click to view our Glossary of Financial Terms