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SuperQ63(Newbie)Newbie
14 Apr 2026

Q1. I have approx $75K worth of unused leave. I will likely cash in most and take a little. I plan on retiring (63yo) from 1/7/26 and was going to salary sacrifice my yearly pre-tax allowance ($30K) into my super as a lump sum from my leave payout and take the rest (approx $40K). I'm assuming my $30K pre-tax contribution into my super will be taxed at 15% and the remainder at my marginal tax rate. Can I do this?

Q2. This will be my final pay for 2026/2027 so I am assuming that if remain under the $45K threshold I will receive a tax refund for the difference in tax rate applied to the leave payout in my final salary. Am I correct in thinking that?

36 views
5 replies
36 views
5 replies

All replies

PayrollDeanne(Taxicorn)Taxicorn
14 Apr 2026

G'day @SuperQ63 👋


You cannot salary sacrifice unused leave on termination, as per this post 😉


Deanne

SuperQ63(Newbie)Newbie
14 Apr 2026

Dang it!

So I'm probably better to take more as actual leave (to increase my defined benefit multiple) which will help to offset the extra tax I will pay from not being able to salary sacrifice.

Am I correct in assuming my total tax bill in the 2026/27 financial year will be based upon my overall earnings regardless of what tax I pay for "cashed in leave"?

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Unused leave cash out and salary sacrifice super contributuions. | ATO Community