what accounting treatment for smsf set up & bare trust costs?

 Author: Bruce4Tax(Taxicorn)Taxicorn

28 Jan 2026

• SMSF setting up costs: recorded as personal contribution and under assets (Capital in Nature). Can they amortize 5 years?

Set up costs are a non-deductible expenses, not an asset.

• How about tax treatment for Bare trust set up fees when SFSF buy property?

Set up costs are a non-deductible expenses, not an asset.

Showing as an asset would result in overstatement of member balances.

You can verify this with the SMSF auditor.

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