Appoint your Approved SMSF Auditor now - or at least 45 days before the annual return is due to be lodged

SMSFs must now appoint their auditor at least 45 days before the lodgement date of the return.  Previously, SMSFs only had to worry about auditor appointments 30 days before the lodgement date for the return.

Additionally only auditors who are Approved SMSF Auditors can be appointed.  Whether an individual is an Approved SMSF Auditor can be easily checked by reviewing the Register of Approved SMSF Auditors maintained by ASIC.  Use the following website address: www.asic.gov.au/smsf-auditor

If the SMSF has not been audited by an Approved SMSF Auditor, or if the auditor has failed to include their SAN (SMSF auditor number) on the annual return, the annual return will not be accepted by the ATO.