How to buy property through your superannuation fund

People can borrow using their super fund as leverage (current rates around 60-70%). This means, if you have $200,000 in superannuation, you can use those funds to leverage approximately a $600,000 purchase.

Many people don’t realise the potential to use their own superannuation to buy a property using their own Self-Managed Super Fund. There are many benefits to doing this, here’s just a few:

A maximum 10% capital gains tax (CGT) on the sale of the property if held for at least 12 months and potentially nil if sold in pension phase.

Maximum of 15% tax on rental income.

All rental income received assists in paying off the mortgage loan.

Any expenses such as interest, council rates, insurance and maintenance may be claimed as tax deductions by the SMSF, which potentially reduces the tax liability of the SMSF

You do however, have to qualify to be able to do this. The property must:

• Meet the ‘sole purpose test’ of solely providing retirement benefits to fund members
• Not be acquired from a related party of a member
• Not be lived in by a fund member or any fund members’ related parties
• Not be rented by a fund member or any fund members’ related parties

This is a relatively painless process if it is overseen by the right person. There are many more steps to take with this borrowing arrangement in comparison to an investment property purchase outside of the super fund, but the benefits will be worthwhile if you have the right person to help guide you.

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