Common questions.

A transition-to-retirement income stream that has not entered retirement phase does not itself generate ECPI. If the fund also has retirement-phase pensions and pooled assets, a proportionate-method certificate may be needed to claim ECPI. Confirm each member's pension status and dates.

The DSFA rule can prevent a fund from treating assets as segregated for ECPI. It considers a person's total superannuation balance across funds above $1.6 million immediately before the income year, a retirement-phase income stream, the fund's retirement-phase interests and the full-year exception. See our DSFA guide.

The segregated method exempts eligible income from assets set aside to support retirement-phase pensions. The proportionate method applies an actuarially calculated percentage to eligible income from pooled assets. The fund's circumstances determine which method applies and whether a certificate is required.

When claiming ECPI under the proportionate method, obtain the actuarial certificate before lodging the SMSF annual return. Give your accountant complete financial and member movement data early enough to review the exempt proportion before the return is lodged.

The exempt proportion is used in the SMSF annual return; the certificate itself is generally retained with the fund's records rather than attached to the return. Ask your accountant which supporting documents to keep under the applicable record-keeping rules.

Whether claiming ECPI is appropriate is a tax decision for the trustee and their adviser. If you do claim ECPI under the proportionate method, a certificate is required. Do not assume that choosing not to obtain one preserves an exemption you have not claimed.

The tax law's definition of an actuary includes a Fellow or Accredited Member of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia. Confirm the named signatory and their credentials with TCW for your engagement; this page does not identify an individual signatory.

A pension starting mid-year changes which periods and liabilities may qualify for ECPI. Provide its commencement date and balance, plus dated contributions, payments and other member movements. The actuarial proportion is calculated for the relevant unsegregated periods rather than treating the whole year as unchanged.

A member's death may change the status of their income stream and the fund's liabilities. Provide the date of death, pension terms and whether the pension reverted or was commuted. The ECPI treatment depends on the particular pension and subsequent events; have your adviser check it before lodgment.

Yes. Email the detailed Statement of Financial Position, Operating Statement and full General Ledger exported from your software. Report labels and menus can differ between versions. If member movements or pension dates are missing, TCW may request additional reports; see the sample documents on the order page.

A fund may have segregated and unsegregated periods in the same year. For the unsegregated period, an actuarial certificate may be needed to claim the proportionate ECPI exemption. The applicable method depends on assets, pension status and any disregarded small fund assets restriction.

Yes, some legacy and defined benefit pensions have distinct actuarial and ECPI requirements. The standard $80 + GST proportionate-method ECPI certificate does not price a separate pension valuation or reserve report. Send the pension documents or email TCW to establish the correct scope before commissioning work.

No. Redact tax file numbers and unrelated personal details before emailing the fund reports. Include the fund name, ABN, financial year and the financial and member information needed for the certificate. If uncertain about a field, ask TCW before sending sensitive information.

The proportionate-method ECPI certificate is $80 + GST ($88 including GST) per fund and financial year, whether you submit one or fifty. Other report types are priced separately.

Email the Statement of Financial Position, Operating Statement and detailed General Ledger, or send a completed TCW application form. Additional member and pension details may be needed.

Not necessarily. TCW can accept financial reports, general ledgers, competitor forms, or the TCW application form if they contain the required information.

Our target is within four business hours after receiving complete and accurate information. Sometimes we can issue within an hour; timing depends on workload and fund complexity, so please email us about an urgent deadline.

Yes. Free amendments are included, especially where accounts change after the first certificate is issued.

Yes. Accountants, SMSF administrators, and professional firms are very welcome.

Defined pensions or asset-test exempt income streams may require a different report. Please email TCW to discuss.

Send an enquiry and we'll guide you. Not sure? Ask us first.

It is a certificate prepared by a qualified actuary that calculates the exempt percentage of an SMSF's income for ECPI purposes when the proportionate method applies.

Generally when an SMSF has a mix of accumulation and retirement-phase pension interests during the year and is using the proportionate method to claim ECPI.

Division 296 is a separate superannuation tax measure. Do not assume a standard ECPI certificate covers any member-level Division 296 requirement. TCW has not listed a Division 296 certificate service; contact us to discuss your circumstances after the final requirements are confirmed.