Tax options for farmers planning to retire

Farmers looking to retire or play a less active role in the family business have a special set of tax considerations. It's a good idea to look at the solutions and opportunities provided by different retirement plans.

A tax-smart retirement plan

Every year when tax time rolls around, any farmers considering retiring from work are encouraged to investigate the most effective tax solutions and their longer term wealth creation. According to Bill Adams, General Manager at Next Rural, opens in new window, farmers planning to retire or play a less active role in the family business have a special set of tax considerations.

“The discussion with your banker and accountant should include superannuation and farm management deposits (FMDs),” he says. “Superannuation is fantastic for assisting farmers with business transition, reduced responsibilities on-farm and eventual retirement. It's also a very effective tax management tool that offers a tax-free position on investment returns and income when individuals reach 60 years of age, yet it's often underused. If the business has some extra money in a maturing FMD account, it will be treated as income in the financial year it’s withdrawn. The taxation impact can be offset with a smart superannuation strategy."

Adams points out that many people on the land tend to keep working well into their 60s.

"Even if you start contributing to superannuation at 55 you can put aside a decent nest egg by the time you reach 65, and at the same time take advantage of the taxation benefits," he says.

Self-managed super funds

A self-managed super fund (SMSF) is one option to consider.

"Farming families who have the time and expertise and want greater control over their superannuation investment can find that an SMSF suits their purpose," Adams says. "This type of fund allows members to invest in most asset classes such as shares, cash or managed funds, and also directly into property. Many farmers have purchased broadacre country via their SMSF, which allows them to earn income from that asset in a tax-effective structure."

Adams adds that an SMSF can also assist with succession and your retirement plan.

“However, SMSFs are not for everyone and I strongly recommend that anyone considering this option gets retirement advice from their financial planner so they fully understand their responsibilities,” he says.

NAB has a team of Agribusiness Financial Planners specialists that work closely with Agribusiness Bankers who can help you review your financial situation and forecast for the year ahead so you can make the most tax effective decisions.