Super guarantee opt-out for employees with multiple employers Employees with multiple employers can now opt-out of superannuation guarantee from all but one employer. Employers are required to pay 9.5% superannuation guarantee for all eligible employees. But what happens if you are an employee with multiple employers? Until recently, these compulsory payments meant some employees risked [...]
Government delivers surplus election friendly 2019-20 Federal Budget – Leaves superannuation largely untouched A surplus election budget is the news coming out of the 2019-20 Federal Budget. With superannuation left largely untouched, the Government focused on further personal income tax cuts. However, three key announcements include providing more flexibility for individuals to contribute at ages [...]
Legislation in limbo A budget, an election and the legislation that hasn’t made it through. The February 2019 Parliamentary sitting days were the last opportunity before the Federal Budget for the Government to introduce or push through new legislation. Next month, on 2 April, Parliament reconvenes for the Federal Budget and it’s likely that an [...]
Confusion reigns over superannuation transfer balance cap A recent speech by the ATO’s Assistant Commissioner for Superannuation demonstrates the very practical problems with the new superannuation rules. The $1.6 million transfer balance cap (TBC) that limits the amount you can hold in a superannuation pension requires trustees to be aware of how close they are [...]
When can you take your super? The cash sitting in your superannuation fund can be tempting, particularly if you are short of cash. But, the reality is there are very few ways you can take advantage of your superannuation once it has been contributed to the fund – even if you change your mind. The [...]
What’s changing on 1 July 2018? Individuals Personal tax bracket changes - The top threshold of the 32.5% personal income tax bracket will increase from $87,000 to $90,000*. Introduction of the Low and Middle Income Tax Offset* providing a tax offset for those with taxable income of up to $125,333. GST on property developments and [...]
One-off Super Guarantee Amnesty Employers that have fallen behind with their superannuation guarantee (SG) obligations will have 12 months to “self-correct” under a new amnesty announced late last month. The ATO estimates that $2.85 billion is currently owed in late or missing SG payments. Running from 24 May 2018 for 12 months, the amnesty encourages [...]
In the news Tampon Tax The Labor Party has taken a pre-election strike by promising to remove the GST on tampons if they are elected. At present, tampons and other sanitary products, like razors for shaving and nappies, are considered consumables and GST applies. Incontinence pads however, because they are required for a medical issue, [...]
Super Guarantee – What happens when you get it wrong The ATO receives around 20,000 reports each year from people who believe their employer has either not paid or underpaid compulsory superannuation guarantee (SG). In 2015-16 the ATO investigated 21,000 cases raising $670 million in SG and penalties. The ATO’s own risk assessments suggest that [...]
Should you use the new super measures when you buy/sell your home? From 1 July 2018, new laws come into effect allowing first home buyers to use their super to help buy a home, and at the other end of the spectrum, downsizers to contribute proceeds from the sale of their home to super without [...]
