2016 Federal Budget Update on Concessional Superannuation Contributions

Superannuation reform changes (part 2) 

 

Changes effective from 1 July 2017 (i.e., effective from the  2018 income year)  

1.1 Allow catch-up concessional superannuation contributions

From 1 July 2017, the government will allow individuals with a superannuation balance of less than  $500,000 to make additional concessional contributions where they have not reached their concessional contributions cap in previous years.

Only unused amounts accrued from 1 July 2017 can be carried forward, and can only be carried forward on a rolling basis for a period of five consecutive years.

Allowing people to carry forward their unused concessional cap provides them with the opportunity to

‘catch-up’ if they have the capacity and choose to do so.

The measure will also apply to members of defined benefit schemes.

1.2 Taxing earnings on assets supporting a Transition to Retirement  Income Stream

From 1 July 2017, the government will remove the tax exemption on earnings of assets supporting  Transition to Retirement Income Streams (‘TRIS’), being income streams of individuals over preservation age but not retired. Earnings from assets supporting a TRIS will be taxed at 15%.

Importantly, this change is proposed to apply irrespective of when the TRIS commenced.

 1.3 Introduction of a $1.6 million ‘superannuation transfer balance cap’

From 1 July 2017, the government will introduce a $1.6 million ‘superannuation transfer balance cap on the total amount of accumulated superannuation an individual can transfer into pension phase.  Subsequent earnings on this pension balance will not be restricted.

By way of background, under current law, if a fund member moves from accumulation phase into  ‘pension phase’, earnings on assets supporting the pension (income tax and capital gains) are tax free in the fund (assuming no non-arm’s length income and that the asset in question is a ‘segregated pension asset’ or the fund is wholly in ‘pension phase’). Furthermore, there is no limit on the amount of accumulated superannuation that an individual can transfer into pension phase.

Under the proposed change, the ‘superannuation transfer balance cap’ will index in $100,000  increments in line with the consumer price index and a proportionate method will apply to determine the  percentage of the cap space an individual has available at any point in time (e.g., if an individual has  previously used up 75% of their cap they will have access to 25% of the current (indexed) cap). Note that, subsequent fluctuations in the pension balance due to earnings growth or pension payments are not considered when calculating cap space.

Under the proposed changes, if an individual accumulates amounts in excess of $1.6 million, they will be able to maintain this excess amount in an accumulation phase account (where earnings will be taxed at the concessional rate of 15%).

Importantly, fund members already in pension phase with balances above $1.6 million will be required  to reduce this balance to $1.6 million by 1 July 2017 (e.g., it seems such action may include the withdrawal of funds from the superannuation environment, or return a portion of the balance held in pension to accumulation phase via a partial commutation).

It is proposed that, if the $1.6 million cap is exceeded, the excess amount plus earnings on the excess

will be subject to a tax. It is not currently clear as to whether individuals will have the option to withdraw  the excess to avoid this penalty tax (i.e., similar to the tax treatment currently afforded excess nonconcessional contributions).

Commensurate treatment for members of defined benefit schemes is also proposed.

1.4 Reducing the concessional contributions cap

From 1 July 2017, the government will lower the annual cap on concessional superannuation  contributions to $25,000. Until this time, the existing concessional contributions caps, being $30,000 for those aged under age 50 years, and $35,000 for those aged 50 years and over, will apply.

1.5 Changes to the contribution rules for those aged 65 to 74

From 1 July 2017, the government will remove the current restrictions on people aged 65 to 74 from  making superannuation contributions for their retirement. Specifically, the government will remove the requirement that an individual aged 65 to 74 must meet the ‘work test’ before making voluntary or nonconcessional  contributions to superannuation.

1.6 Tax deductions for personal superannuation contributions

From 1 July 2017, the government will change the law to allow all individuals under age 75 to claim an  income tax deduction for personal superannuation contributions. Individuals who are, for example, partially self-employed and partially wage and salary earners, and individuals whose employers do not  offer salary sacrifice arrangements will benefit from the proposed changes.

However, individuals that are members of certain prescribed funds would not be entitled to deduct  contributions to those schemes (prescribed funds include all untaxed funds, all Commonwealth defined benefit schemes, and certain defined benefit schemes that choose to be prescribed).

Under current law, a tax deduction for personal superannuation contributions is broadly limited to self-

employed individuals, and substantially self-employed individuals (i.e., those that satisfy the ‘10% test’).

1.7 Changes to the ‘high income contribution rules’ (Division 293)

Currently, Division 293 imposes an additional tax of 15% on certain concessionally taxed contributions  (e.g., certain concessional contributions) where an individual’s total ‘income’ (basically, ‘income for surcharge purposes’ less reportable superannuation contributions) plus certain ‘concessionally taxed contributions’ for an income year exceed $300,000. Concessional contributions subject to tax under Division 293 are effectively taxed at 30%.

From 1 July 2017, the government will lower the Division 293 threshold (i.e., the point at which high  income earners pay additional contributions tax of 15%) from $300,000 to $250,000.

Consistent with current law, the additional 15% tax will be imposed on the whole amount of the contributions, up to the concessional cap, if ‘income’ for Division 293 purposes is above the threshold.  Otherwise, the additional tax is only imposed on the portion of the contribution that takes the individual over the threshold.

The lower Division 293 ‘income’ threshold will also apply to members of defined benefit schemes and

constitutionally protected funds currently covered by the tax.

1.8 Removal of the anti-detriment provision in respect of death benefits

From 1 July 2017, the government will remove the anti-detriment (deduction) provision.

Briefly, the anti-detriment provision allows the spouse (or former spouse) and/or children of a deceased fund member to effectively obtain a refund of all contributions tax paid by the deceased member during their lifetime.

1.9 Removing election to treat pension payments as lump-sum payments

The government will remove the rule that allows individuals to treat certain superannuation pension  payments as lump-sums for tax purposes (which currently makes them tax-free up to the low rate cap of $195,000).

Currently an individual drawing down an account-based pension from their superannuation fund can  generally make an election, under special income tax rules, for a benefit withdrawal not to be treated as a pension benefit. If such an election is made, the benefit withdrawal is treated (and taxed) as a lump sum benefit instead. As a result, the taxable component of such a withdrawal can be tax-free up to the low-rate cap (i.e., currently, $195,000), where the recipient member has reached their preservation age (but is under the age of 60).

1.10 Improve superannuation balances of low income spouses

From 1 July 2017, the government will increase access to the low income spouse superannuation tax  offset by raising the income threshold for the low income spouse to $37,000 (from $10,800). The offset is gradually reduced for income above this level and completely phases out at income above $40,000.

The low income spouse tax offset provides up to $540 per annum for the contributing spouse.

In addition to the above, the government will make additional changes to support older Australians, including allowing individuals to make contributions on behalf of their spouse who is under age 75, without the need for the spouse to satisfy the work test.

 1.11 Introducing a Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset (LISTO)  

From 1 July 2017, the government will introduce a Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset (‘LISTO’) to reduce tax on superannuation contributions for low income earners.

The LISTO will provide a non-refundable tax offset to superannuation funds, based on the tax paid on  concessional contributions made on behalf of low income earners, up to a cap of $500. The LISTO will apply to members with adjusted taxable income of up to $37,000 that have had a concessional contribution made on their behalf.

This will effectively avoid the situation in which low income earners would pay more tax on savings  placed into superannuation than on income earned outside of superannuation.

The LISTO will replace the Low Income Superannuation Contribution when it ends on 30 June 2017.

 

Read Federal Budget Update on Non – Concessional Superannuation Contributions

 

 (Note: The information is provided by the National Tax and Accountants' Association - NTAA)

Please Note: Many of the comments in this publication are general in nature and anyone intending to apply the information to practical circumstances should seek professional advice to independently verify their interpretation and the information’s applicability to their particular circumstances.