Do I require a valuation for my SMSF property asset?

For the 15% of SMSF’s that have property as part of their investment strategy, there’s still confusion about how often and in what circumstances that audit need to include a property valuation.

As one of the country’s largest independent valuation professional services firm, one of the most frequent questions we get around self-managed super funds (SMSFs), property and reporting requirements, is simply – do I need to get a valuation for my SMSF property asset?

Annual audits of the fund are mandatory, but for the 15% of SMSF’s that have property as part of their investment strategy, there remains some confusion about how often and in what circumstances does that audit need to include a property valuation.

Here’s the summary for those in a hurry to get back to their annual reporting!

• Fund managers need to know the market value of property assets within the fund for their annual financial statement.
• To properly prepare your self-managed super fund financial statement, you may need to have a valuation conducted to show the current market value of your property.
• And the best way to get a property valued? Engage the services of an expert independent, qualified valuer from Opteon.

If you’re ready to get into the details, here’s the answer to that top question, and other SMSF property valuation FAQs:

Do I have to get a valuation for my SMSF property asset?
SMSF managers need to prepare annual financial accounts and statements, and these accounts must include the market value of any property asset in a SMSF.

Do I need to get a property valuer to do the valuation?
A professional, independent valuation provides objective data that can be used by the SMSF auditor to sign off on the financial statements.

How often do you have to get a SMSF property asset valued?
Superannuation auditors will usually recommend an external, independent valuation of any property assets in an SMSF every three years.In most instances, for the two years in between, Opteon can conduct an AMA (Analysed Market Assessment) to determine the property’s value and provide a written report.

What other circumstances should prompt me to get a valuation for my SMSF property asset?
If the value of a property has materially changed, or an event has occurred which could impact the value, or your personal circumstances have changed, you may also require an updated property valuation.

Changes to personal circumstances include things like getting divorced or starting a pension, while an event that impacts the value of your property could include a natural disaster.

You might need a valuation if there’s been material shifts in property market conditions in your area, or if the SMSF property asset makes up a large proportion of your fund. You should also get a valuer on board if the property is a complex asset which requires detailed analysis.

What’s the best way to know if and when I need a valuation for my SMSF property assets?
Get in touch with Opteon today. Our expert independent team can help you. By engaging Opteon, you can be assured your reporting will comply with the SMSF rules and Australian Tax Office (ATO) guidelines, and that you have the right market value no matter the property type, or location across Australia.

If you’d like more information on how we can help you with your SMSF property valuations, you can visit our website, or contact us with any questions or for a free quote by emailing contactus@opteonsolutions.com or calling 1300 40 50 60. We can’t wait to help you!

This article first appeared on Smart Property Investment: Do I need to get a valuation for my SMSF property asset?