The federal government has recently announced an increase to the tax rate for individuals who have superannuation balances over $3 million. In this article we cover the short and long-term implications for self-managed super funds (SMSFs).
How much is the tax rate increasing?
The tax rate on super fund contributions and earnings for people with balances exceeding $3 million will increase from the current concessional rate of 15% to 30%.
This rate is slightly lower than the 32.5% marginal tax rate for people with a taxable income between $45,000 and $120,000, and still significantly lower than higher income tax brackets.
When will the tax rate increase?
The increase is intended to take effect from 1 July 2025. This means it will happen after the next scheduled federal election, so there is some chance that this decision may be overturned by the coalition if there is a change of government. Opposition leader Peter Dutton has already flagged that the coalition will reverse the Labor government’s decision.
Will the tax increase be retrospective?
The increase will not be retrospectively applied. It will only be applied to super fund contributions and earnings from 1 July 2025 provided that the federal government retains power at the next election.
Will the $3 million threshold be indexed for inflation?
The $3 million threshold will not be indexed for inflation and if this does not happen, more and more Australians will be exposed to the higher tax rate in the future, especially if Australia’s current high inflation rate continues over the medium to long term.
How many people will be affected by the increase?
Over the coming decades, more than 500,000 Australians are likely to pay the federal government’s proposed superannuation tax increase.
That number will grow over time due to the threshold not being indexed for inflation, in much the same way as ‘bracket creep’ results in Australians paying higher taxes over time due to marginal tax brackets being similarly fixed.
Will there be any further changes to super rules?
The federal government has indicated that there will be no further changes to super rules announced during their first term of government.
However, the opposition has pointed out that Labor went to the last election with a policy not to make any changes to super. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers have pointed out that while they have announced a change, it will not take effect until after the next election, so they do not believe they have broken any pre-election promises.
What should you do?
If you have a super balance in excess of $3 million (or you will be approaching that figure in the next few years), then it is best to seek independent, professional advice about your most tax-effective strategies. At Wilson Pateras, we have expert SMSF, tax planning and retirement planning advisors who can provide you with the right advice.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you.
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