- Published on 17 Jun 2022
- - What is Financial Planning?, Self Managed Superannuation, Investment & Financial Advice
Super contributions typically fall into two categories being concessional contributions and non-concessional contributions.
1. Concessional contributions include
- Compulsory SG contributions, which are the before-tax contributions your employer is required to make into your super fund under the super guarantee, if you’re eligible.
- Salary sacrifice contributions, which are additional contributions you can get your employer to make into your super fund out of your before-tax income, if you choose to.
- Tax-deductible contributions, which are voluntary contributions you can make (such as when you transfer funds from your bank account into your super) that you then claim a tax deduction for. These can be made by self-employed people and employees, and in some cases by those who aren’t working or who have retired.
Note, concessional contributions are usually taxed at 15% in your super fund (or 30% if your total income exceeds $250,000), which for most people, means you’ll typically pay less tax on super contributions than what you do on your income.
2. Non-concessional contributions include
- Personal contributions, which you can also make by transferring funds from your bank account into super, but which you can’t claim a tax deduction for. Some people may choose to make non-concessional contributions when they’ve reached their yearly concessional contribution cap, following an inheritance or sale of a large asset, or to receive a government co-contribution.
What super contribution caps apply?
If you’re making contributions to your super, there are limits on the amount of concessional and non-concessional contributions you can make each year. See below how much you can put in annually.
|
Contribution type |
Your age |
Cap |
|
Concessional |
All |
$27,500 a year Plus, unused cap amounts accrued since 1 July 2018 if you’re eligible* |
|
Non-concessional |
Under 67 |
$110,000 a year Alternatively, up to three years of annual caps ($330,000) under bring-forward rules if you’re eligible** |
|
Non-concessional |
67 or over |
$110,000 a year** |
* This broadly applies to people whose total super balance was less than $500,000 on 30 June of the previous financial year.
** How much you can make as a non-concessional contribution depends on your total super balance as at 30 June of the previous financial year.
Other rules regarding super caps
- If you exceed super contribution caps, additional tax and penalties may apply.
- If you have super assets of $1.7 million or more as at 30 June of the previous financial year, you can’t make additional non-concessional contributions to your super, or you may be penalised.
- If you’re 67 or over when a voluntary super contribution is made, you’ll need to have met (or be exempt from) the work test.
- If you’re 65 or over, you may be able to make a voluntary downsizer contribution to your super of up to $300,000, using the proceeds from the sale of your main residence, regardless of your work status, super balance, or restrictions that otherwise apply (more on this below).
Where do potential super benefits exist?
Tax deductions on super contributions
To claim a tax deduction on voluntary super contributions you may choose to make, you’ll need to tell your super fund by filing out a notice of intent. You’ll generally need to lodge this notice and have the lodgement acknowledged by your fund, before you file a tax return for the year you made the contributions.
Putting money into super and claiming it as a tax deduction may be of particular benefit if you receive some extra income that you’d otherwise pay tax on at your personal income tax rate (as this is often higher).
Similarly, if you’ve sold an asset that you have to pay capital gains tax on, you may decide to contribute some or all of that money into super, so you can claim it as a tax deduction. This could reduce or even eliminate the capital gains tax that’s owing altogether. Keep in mind, you may not be able to access money you put into super for some time. More on this below.
Co-contributions from the government
If you’re a low to middle-income earner and have made a voluntary (non-concessional) contribution to your super fund, which you don’t claim a tax deduction for, you might be eligible for a government co-contribution of up to $500.
If your total income is equal to or less than $41,112 in the 2021/22 financial year and you make after-tax contributions of $1,000 to your super fund, you’ll receive the maximum co-contribution of $500.
If your total income is between $41,112 and $56,112 in the 2021/22 financial year, your maximum entitlement will reduce progressively as your income rises.
If your income is equal to or greater than the higher income threshold $56,112 in the 2021/22 financial year, you will not receive any co-contribution.
You don’t need to apply for the super co-contribution, but you’ll need to provide your tax file number to your super fund. Once you’ve lodged your tax return, the ATO will use it and the contribution information from your super fund to work out your eligibility. Any co-contribution that’s owed to you will usually be deposited into your super account.
The low-income super tax offset
If you earn $37,000 or less annually and your employer makes super contributions on your behalf, the government may refund the tax that was paid on those contributions back into your super account, up to a maximum of $500 per year.
If you’re eligible for the low-income super tax offset, the good news is it will be automatically calculated by the ATO and deposited in your super account after you lodge your tax return.
The spouse contributions tax offset
If you’re earning more than your partner and would like to top up their retirement savings, or vice versa, you may want to think about making spouse contributions.
If eligible, you can generally make a contribution to your spouse’s super fund and claim an 18% tax offset on up to $3,000 through your tax return. This type of contribution is considered a voluntary (non-concessional) contribution and will count toward your spouse’s non-concessional contribution cap.
To be eligible for the maximum tax offset, which works out to be $540, you would need to contribute a minimum of $3,000 and your partner’s annual income needs to be $37,000 or less.
If their income exceeds $37,000, you’re still eligible for a partial offset. However, once their income reaches $40,000, you’ll no longer be eligible for any offset, but can still make contributions on their behalf.
Downsizer contributions
People aged 65 or over can make a voluntary contribution to their super of up to $300,000 using the proceeds from the sale of their home (if it’s their main residence) – regardless of their work status, super balance, or contributions history.
For couples, both people can take advantage of this opportunity, which means up to $600,000 per couple can be contributed toward super. There are, however, potential advantages, rules and other things you’ll want to be across.
Things to keep in mind
The value of your investment in super can go up and down. Before making extra contributions, make sure you understand and are comfortable with, any potential risks.
The government sets general rules about when you can access your super. Typically, you won’t be able to access your super until you reach preservation age and meet a condition of release, such as retirement.
Why not take the next step and talk to a qualified financial planner specialising in Superannuation planning?
LifeTime Financial Group are specialist (holding appropriate accreditations) advisors who are ideally positioned to assist you in planning and managing your retirement funds including self-managed super.
If you would like to discuss your current Superannuation position or wider financial planning needs, why not call us today on 03 9596-7733? There is no cost or obligation for our initial conversation/meeting.
LifeTime Financial Group. A leading privately-owned Melbourne-based Financial Planning practice with no ties to any financial institution.
Document prepared using the AMP Super Contributions Guide