As we approach the end of the 2020/21 financial year, it's time to get your finances in order.
The previous 18 months may have seen massive global disruptions due to COVID-19, but superannuation continues to be a great way to save for your retirement.
It also benefits from a number of government incentives that can help you reduce your tax and boost your long-term super balance. We've outlined several strategies below.
But the clock is ticking, and you'll need to take the following actions ahead of June 30 to enjoy the benefits.
Things you need to know
Get your contributions in on time
If you want to include your super contributions in the 2020/21 financial year, you'll need to get them in before 30 June 2021. This is particularly important if you plan to claim a tax deduction for contributions.
Depending on how you make your contributions the final cut-off date may be even earlier. Learn about our contribution deadlines.
Be aware of your contribution limits
There are annual caps on super contributions.
You can contribute up to $25,000 towards your super every year in 'concessional payments'. This includes the Super Guarantee (SG) contributions made on your behalf by your employer and any salary sacrificing you may be doing.
You can also make $100,000 in non-concessional (after-tax) contributions each year.
In both instances, 'catch-up' rules may allow you to bring forward up to three years' worth of contributions. This is something our financial planners can assist with, as there are tax penalties for exceeding these amounts.
5 ways to get the most out of your super this financial year
1. Lower your taxes with a deductible super contribution
If you have spare funds available, a non-concessional (after-tax) contribution can be an effective way to reduce your tax.
Paying additional amounts into your super and lodging a Notice of Intent (NOI) with your super fund allows you to offset this amount against your annual income. For example, if you were to pay an additional $10,000 into your super, you could then claim this as a tax deduction. In the process, you'll reduce your taxable income.
Note that claiming a tax deduction on any after-tax 'non concessional contributions' means they becomes a 'concessional contribution' and are subject to the $25,000 limit.^
Download the Notice of Intent form (NOI).
2. Make an after-tax 'non concessional' contribution
If you've reached your $25,000 concessional limit you can still contribute towards your super. You won't be able to claim this as a tax deduction, but it means you can continue to grow your super and benefit from long term investment earnings.
These non-concessional (after-tax) contributions are capped at $100,000 per year. Although you can combine up to three years' worth of contributions under the 'catch-up' rule for a total of $300,000.
Making after-tax 'non concessional' contributions is easy - you can make a direct BPay payment directly into your account.
3. Consider salary sacrificing
Salary sacrificing allows you contribute a part of your pre-tax income directly into your super. Essentially, you nominate to have a certain amount of your wages paid directly to your super with every pay cycle.
The benefit of salary sacrificing is that these contributions are taxed at 15%, which is usually lower than the marginal tax rate you'd be paying on your income.
Depending on how often you're paid, it may be too late to take advantage of salary sacrificing for the 2020/21 financial year. But this is something you can set up for next year. In most cases you simply need to speak with your organisation's payroll person and nominate how much you'd like to salary sacrifice.
Just remember that salary sacrifice contributions are counted as 'concessional contributions' and are subject to the $25,000 limit along with the contributions your employer makes on your behalf.
4. Take advantage of the government co-contribution
If you earn less than $54,837 and make a personal (after-tax) contribution to your super fund, you may be eligible for a government co-contribution of up to $500.
If you qualify for the above, for every $1 in after-tax funds you contribute towards your super (up to $1,000), the Government will chip in $0.50, up to a maximum of $500.
