Tax offsets effect on your taxable income
Tax offsets directly reduce the amount of tax payable on your taxable income. In general, offsets can reduce your tax payable to zero, but on their own, they can’t get you a refund.
There are two superannuation tax offsets for which you may be eligible:
- The Australian super income stream tax offset
- A tax offset for super contributions made on behalf of your spouse.
Australian super income stream tax offset
If you receive income from an Australian super income stream, you may be eligible for a tax offset equal to:
- 15% of the taxed element
- 10% of the untaxed element
The tax offset amount available to you on your taxed element will be shown on your payment summary.
However, there is now a limit on the amount of tax offset you’re entitled to on your untaxed element. This is generally limited to $10,000 and will not be shown on your payment summary.
Super tax offset limit on your untaxed element
You’re not entitled to a tax offset for the taxed element of any super income stream you receive before you reach your preservation age unless the super income stream is one of these:
- Disability super benefit
- Death benefit income stream
You’re not entitled to a tax offset for the untaxed element of any super income stream you receive before you turn 60 years old unless:
- The super income stream is a death benefit income stream
- The deceased died after they turned 60 years old
Tax offset for super contributions on behalf of your spouse
If you make contributions to a complying super fund or a retirement savings account (RSA) on behalf of your spouse (married or de facto) who is earning a low income or not working, you may be able to claim a tax offset.
You can claim the maximum tax offset of $540 if:
- You contribute to the eligible super fund of your spouse, whether married or de-facto, and
- Your spouse’s income is $37,000 or less
The tax offset amount reduces when your spouse’s income is greater than $37,000 and completely phases out when your spouse’s income reaches $40,000.
You will be entitled to a tax offset of up to $540 per year if you meet all of the following conditions:
- For income years prior to 2017-18, the sum of your spouse’s assessable income, total reportable fringe benefits amounts and reportable employer super contributions was less than $13,800.
- For 2017-18 the sum of your spouse’s assessable income total reportable fringe benefits amounts and reportable employer super contributions was less than $40,000 and the contributions were not deductible to you