The ATO has made a determination to ensure that trustees of SMSFs do not inadvertently breach the "in-house asset rules" where the fund allows a related party to defer the payment of rent under a lease agreement (on arm’s length terms) because of the financial impact of COVID-19.

Where the requirements of the determination are met, the deferral of rent will not be treated as a "loan" or "financial accommodation" to the related party in either or both of the 2019/20 or 2020/21 income years.

The determination also applies where an SMSF owns interests in a "non-geared" company or unit trust that allows a tenant to defer the payment of rent under a lease (on arm’s length terms) because of the financial impact of COVID-19.

Note: The material and contents provided in this publication are informative in nature only. It is not intended to be advice and you should not act specifically on the basis of this information alone. If expert assistance is required, professional advice should be obtained.