Concessional contributions
Additional 15% tax for high-income earners (Division 293)
Section: 4.4
4.4 Additional 15% tax for high-income earners (Div 293)
Division 293 tax is an additional 15% tax on superannuation contributions which reduces the tax concession for higher income earners. Individuals whose combined income and low-tax (concessional) superannuation contributions are greater than the Division 293 threshold will be subject to Division 293 tax.
Year | Division 293 threshold |
From 1 July 2017 onwards | 250,000 |
How is Division 293 taxation determined?
A member is liable to pay Division 293 tax if their income and low-tax superannuation contributions exceed the Division 293 tax threshold.
Division 293 Income
The components of the income calculations are:
The total of:
- taxable income (assessable income minus allowable deductions)
- total reportable fringe benefits amounts
- net financial investment loss
- net rental property loss
- net amount on which family trust distribution tax has been paid
Less,
- super lump sum taxed elements with a zero tax rate
- assessable first home super saver released amount
Super contributions counted for Division 293 tax purposes
Super contributions equal a member's concessional contributions minus any excess concessional contributions. The concessional contributions counted for Division 293 tax purposes include:
- employer contributed amounts
- other family and friend contributions
- assessable foraging fund amounts
- assessable amounts transferred from reserves
- personal contributions for which they have been allowed a deduction
- defined benefit contributions.
Example
Elizabeth's income and low-tax superannuation contributions are as follows:
2023/24 | |
Salary | 215,000 |
Net amount on which family trust distribution tax has been paid | 20,000 |
Elizabeth an income component for Division 293 tax purposes of: | 235,000 |
Super Guarantee contributions | 23,650 |
Salary sacrifice | 3,850 |
Total concessional superannuation contributions*: | 27,500 |
Elizabeth's total Income for DIV 293 purposes is: | 262,500 |
Excess income above the Division 293 threshold is: | 12,500 |
Where income for Division 293 exceeds the threshold, additional tax of 15% applies to the lesser of: | |
Income above $250,000, and | 12,500 |
Total low tax contributions | 27,500 |
Elizabeth will therefore be liable for tax of 15% x $12,500 | 1,875 |
What happens if a member has a defined benefit?
A member's low tax contributions will be the total of any concessional contributions (i.e., employer contributions or salary sacrifice) to an accumulation account, plus any defined benefit contributions, calculated in accordance with a formula specified by the government, less any excess concessional contributions.
For some defined benefit members, notional taxed contributions are capped at the concessional contributions threshold. From the 2017-18 financial year, a member's defined benefit contributions for the purpose of calculating their low tax contributions are equal to their 'notional taxed contributions', but without any cap applying.
For instance, if a member's defined benefit notional taxed contributions calculated without the concessional contribution cap applying is $40,000, and the concessional contribution cap is $25,000 and a cap applies to the member, then the defined benefit concessional contributions are $25,000 but members defined benefit low tax contribution are $40,000.
*The general concessional contributions cap is $27,500 from 1 July 2021
This technical resource is intended for the use of financial advisers only. It is current as at the date of publication but may be subject to change. This publication has been prepared without taking into account a potential investor's objectives, financial situation, needs or objectives. Before making a recommendation based on this material, you should consider its appropriateness based on the client's objectives, financial situation and needs. Rainmaker Group is not a registered tax agent under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009. Your client should refer to a registered tax agent before relying on information published herein that may impact their tax obligations, liabilities or entitlements.
Last modified: Wednesday, June 28, 2023