SMSF Annual Return (SAR)

Issuing authority

Australian Taxation Office

Official source

How to apply

1. Prepare the fund's financial accounts for the income year, including valuing all assets at market value as at 30 June.
2. Appoint an ATO-approved SMSF auditor at least 45 days before the lodgment due date to conduct the annual audit of the fund's financial statements and regulatory compliance.
3. Receive the auditor's report and address any contravention findings before lodging.
4. Download the current SMSF Annual Return (NAT 71226) and accompanying instructions (NAT 71606) from ato.gov.au, or access via tax agent software (Standard Business Reporting / SBR).
5. Complete all sections of the SAR including income tax information, member contribution data, fund regulatory details, and the SMSF supervisory levy amount.
6. Lodge the SAR electronically via a registered tax agent using SBR-enabled software, or lodge a paper return by mailing the completed form to the ATO.
7. Pay any income tax liability plus the annual SMSF supervisory levy ($259 for established funds; $518 for newly registered funds covering two years) by the lodgment due date.
8. Retain the auditor's report and financial records for at least five years.

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