We had an adviser recently wanting to explore having a client make distributions from a family trust directly to a superannuation fund.
Historically (during the mid-1990s), this was a strategy that many were using until the government closed the loophole.
The way in which the loophole was closed was to treat all such income as 'special income' of the super fund or, as it was then renamed, 'non-arm’s length income'. This type of income is taxed at a flat rate to the fund of 45%.
Interestingly, what the adviser had realised however was that many trust distributions are now effectively taxed at 47% if they go to beneficiaries on the top marginal rate, given the increase in the Medicare levy.
Trust distributions to a superannuation fund may therefore be (marginally) tax effective initially and also a good way to ensure that superannuation savings are increased at a far greater rate than would otherwise be available if relying on the contributions within contribution caps.
** For the trainspotters, ‘Sunny Afternoon’ is one of the first tax referencing rock songs by the Kinks from 1966.