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Parramatta | Tax Management |
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Simpler SuperSignificant changes to the taxation of super starts from 1 July 2007.
Note that if you sell assets to contribute extra money to super, you should consider the CGT and possibly GST on the sale or transfer of assets. Also, ensure you have sufficient funds for the payment of stamp duties, legal and other fees. Some strategies for boosting your super balance
What's new for 2007 individual tax returns[back to top]The following are some of the more common changes applicable to individual tax returns that apply from 1 July 2006: Ceasing full-time education If you ceased full-time education for the first time during the income year, you will no longer need to pro-rata the full year $6,000 tax free threshold. Foreign income exemption for temporary residents If you are a temporary resident, you will no longer be required to pay tax on foreign income and some capital gains. Gifts to political parties A maximum deduction of $1500 is available for donations to registered political parties, independent members of Parliament or independent candidates in an election for Parliament. New tax rebates for individual tax returns 2006[back to top]30% Child Care tax rebate (note: law is yet to be enacted as at 1 July 2005) If you receive the child care benefit from Centrelink and satisfy the work/study/training test and have your children in approved child care, you will be able to claim the 30% child care tax rebate. This means that 30% of your 2005 out-of-pocket expenses less the child care benefit from Centrelink is available as a rebate (up to a maximum of $4,000 per child) in your 2006 tax return. Make sure you keep these child care expense records and the letter from the Family Assistance Office for your 2006 tax return. Whilst the rebate is non-refundable, any unused amount can be transferred to your spouse. Mature Age Worker Tax Offset (note: law is yet to be enacted as at 1 July 2005) If you are an Australian resident, aged 55 or over at 30 June 2005 and have net income from working of up to $48,000, you will be entitled to the maximum Mature Age Worker tax offset of $500 for the 2005 income year. The offset will reduce progressively if your net income from working is between $48,000 to 57,999. No offset is available for the 2005 income year if your net income from working is $58,000 or more. The offset is non-refundable and non-transferable. ATO Compliance Focus for 2005 Individual Tax Returns[back to top]The Tax Office has announced that it will again be focusing on deductions for work-related expenses, rental property expenses and on capital gains from the sale of property and other assets. The Tax Office will also focus on employees in the following industries: construction and food preparation and processing industries; dance, drama and music instructors; health-care professionals; teachers and academics. The Tax Office review will ensure that these employees are getting their work-related deduction claims right, especially claims for motor vehicles or self-education. The Tax Office will also cross-check tax returns against a range of data including financial institution data, state and territory revenue and property sales information and Australian stock exchange data. 2005/06 Federal Budget[back to top]Personal Tax Cuts The first tax cut will commence from 1 July 2005. For high income earners the government has extended the income threshold at which the 42% and 47% marginal tax rates commence. The new tax thresholds will be as follows:
These changes will result in the following tax savings in 2005/06. These changes will result in the following additional tax savings in 2006/07. Additional tax savings in 2006/07: Note that the tax free threshold, after taking into account the low income tax offset of $235, has increased to $7,382 for low income earners. Senior Australians who receive the Senior Australians Tax Offset will also be able to earn more income without paying tax. Singles will be able to have taxable income up to approximately $21,968 and couples up to approximately $36,494 depending on the income earned by each party. This may mean a significant number of taxpayers do not have to lodge tax returns. In addition, if you were an employee earning more than $70,000 before 1 July 2005 and may have sacrificed salary for packaged fringe benefits, such as cars, to save tax, you will need to reconsider your package in light of the new tax changes. Salary packaging will continue to be an advantage for employees in the highest marginal tax rate bracket, but the savings may not be as great. You may consider packaging cars under the ‘employee contribution method’ to minimize the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT). Senior Australians The maximum tax offset available for senior Australians has been set for each person at the following amounts –
As a consequence of the decrease in the marginal tax rate from 17% to 15% the amount of income that qualifies for the Senior Australians tax offset (and the low income tax offset) will increase in 2005/06 to:
The Medicare levy thresholds will also be increased to ensure that no levy is payable until the senior Australian begins to incur an income tax liability. The seniors' concession allowance of $200 per year and the utilities allowance of $100 per year for singles (and $50 each per couple) have been classified as tax exempt. Mature Age Worker Tax Offset Effective from 2004/05 the government has announced changes to the Mature age worker tax offset. Entitlement to the tax offset is to be calculated on the basis of net income from working for all workers aged 55 years and over by allowing them to subtract relevant deductions before calculating whether they are eligible for the tax offset. A mature age worker will qualify if the income they derive from working is less than
Superannuation Changes Surcharge to be abolished The Government announced that it will abolish the superannuation surcharge from 1 July 2005. As a result, from that date the surcharge will no longer apply in respect of superannuation benefits that accrue, contributions made or termination payments received from that date. If you are therefore subject to a current surcharge liability of 12.5 percent, you may consider deferring some or all of your superannuation contributions until after 1 July 2005. Splitting of Superannuation contributions The splitting of superannuation contributions between spouses will be available from 1 July 2006. Splitting contributions allow low income or non-working spouses to accumulate their own superannuation benefits. Both spouses will have access to their own lump sum and/or pension reasonable benefit limit and to have access to the low tax threshold. Under the choice of fund rules that commence from 1 July 2005 most employees will be entitled to choose the complying superannuation fund or retirement saving account into which their employer pays their 9% compulsory superannuation guarantee contributions. If an employee fails to choose a fund then the employer is required to make those contributions into a complying superannuation fund that meets the minimum insurance requirements. Super Choices (available at www.fido.gov.au) is written to help employees:
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