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bt1978(Newbie)Newbie
21 June 2024

From my understanding of the scenario below - would claiming the $4000 as pre-tax contributions plus claiming $1000 initiating the ATO super co-contribution of $500 efeectively get a balance in the super account of $5,500 (As the low income super offset would reimburse the 15% tax taken out by the super fund). Hope that makes sense.


Example: effects of claiming a deduction for a personal super contribution

During 2019–20 Christie is employed as a hairdresser and earns $35,000 in assessable income.

Christie contributes $5,000 to her super fund as a personal contribution. If she wanted to claim an income tax deduction for the entire super contribution, she would need to give her fund a notice of intent and get an acknowledgment.

Having done this, Christie could claim a tax deduction of $5,000, reducing her taxable income to $30,000. However, her fund would pay 15% tax on the $5,000, so only $4,250 would be credited to Christie's super fund account. Additionally, Christie would be eligible for the low income superannuation tax offset, so the government would refund her offset into her super account. However, she would not be eligible for a super co-contribution.

If Christie decided to claim a personal income tax deduction for $4,000 instead of the entire $5,000, this would mean:

  • her taxable income would be $31,000
  • her fund would have to pay 15% tax on the $4,000, so $3,400 would be credited to her account
  • she may be eligible for the super co-contribution in respect of the $1,000 that was not claimed as a deduction, in which case the government would pay her co-contribution entitlement ($500) into her super account
  • she would be eligible for the low income superannuation tax offset, so the government would refund her offset into her super account.


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Taxduck(Taxicorn)Taxicorn
21 June 2024

A most effective way of adding to your super is to make a $1000 non-concessional contribution and have $500 added to your super courtesy of the Australian Government (subject to eligibility).

Super co-contribution | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)

Often the most difficult part for a taxpayer on a low income is finding a spare $1000. Although you can add small amounts through the year to get to the $1000.

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Most helpful reply

Taxduck(Taxicorn)Taxicorn
21 June 2024

A most effective way of adding to your super is to make a $1000 non-concessional contribution and have $500 added to your super courtesy of the Australian Government (subject to eligibility).

Super co-contribution | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)

Often the most difficult part for a taxpayer on a low income is finding a spare $1000. Although you can add small amounts through the year to get to the $1000.

bt1978(Newbie)Newbie
21 June 2024

Thank you yes - so a non-concessional contribution would be one made after tax and then the gov adds a furhter $500 as co-contribution. If the 15% tax portion is refunded by gov due to low income offset eligibility then the balance would be $5,500 at the end of it all - is that right? :)

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Super Deductions Co-Contribution and low income offset | ATO Community