You must lodge a Self-managed superannuation fund annual return (SAR) each financial year, even if your fund does not have a tax liability.

Lodgment of the annual return is the most essential compliance obligation for an SMSF. You need to make sure your lodgment is up to date, as if it’s more than 2 weeks overdue, the Super Fund LookUp (SFLU) status may change to 'regulation details removed', restricting the SMSF from receiving rollovers and employer contributions.

You must report all contributions you receive for all members in the annual return, for each financial year your SMSF operates. Make sure you categorise member contributions correctly as this information is used to:

• work out if your members are entitled to a super co-contribution and where to pay any entitlements
• work out if your members have exceeded their contributions caps  
• check employer compliance with super guarantee.

An SMSF completes and lodges its annual return and pays the amount it is required to pay (if any) to the ATO.

SMSFs do not receive a notice of assessment. However, the ATO will issue a notice of amended assessment if subsequent amendments are made.