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2018 Personal & Families Tax Planning Guide

Posted on June 6th, 2018 by WLF

Now’s the time to review what strategies you can use to minimise your tax before 30 June 2018.

 

Key Superannuation Changes

While you might not be flush with cash now and able to put large amounts into superannuation, it’s important that you are aware of what is possible to maximise your super balance and possibly reduce your tax at the same time.

 

CONCESSIONAL CONTRIBUTION CAP (CC) OF $25,000 FOR EVERYONE

The tax deductible super contribution limit (or “cap”) is $25,000 for all individuals under age 75. Individuals need to pass a work test if over age 65.

In working with your financial advisor, consider if appropriate to make a tax deductible super contribution this year before 30 June 2018.

The advantage of this strategy is that superannuation contributions are taxed at between 15% to 30% compared to typical personal income tax rates of between 34.5% and 47%.

Ordinarily, self-employed individuals and those who earn their income primarily from passive sources make super contributions close to the end of the financial year and claim a tax deduction. However, this is the first financial year that individuals who are employees may also use this strategy.

Individuals who may want to take advantage of this opportunity include those who:

  • work for an employer who doesn’t permit salary sacrifice
  • work for an employer who allows salary sacrifice, but it’s disadvantageous due to a reduction in entitlements, and
  • are salary sacrificing but want to make a top-up contribution to utilise their full Concessional Contributions cap.

 

MAXIMISE DEDUCTIBLE SUPER CONTRIBUTIONS

The concessional superannuation cap for 2018 is $25,000 for all individuals. Do not go over this limit or you will pay more tax!

Note that employer super guarantee contributions are included in these caps. Where a concessional contribution is made that exceeds these limits, the excess is included in your assessable income and taxed at your marginal rate less a credit for the tax already paid, plus an excess concessional contributions charge.

 

NON-CONCESSIONAL CONTRIBUTION CAP TO $100,000 FROM 1 JULY 2017

The non-concessional (non-tax deductible) super contribution cap is $100,000 per year. The cap is nil if your total super balance is above $1.6 million at the end of the previous financial year.

The bring forward rule,  is capped at $300,000 on potential non-concessional contributions into super (3 years x $100,000 a year), depending on your total super balance and age.

See UNICA Wealth or your financial advisor to determine if there are any opportunities for your personal circumstances.

 

SPOUSE SUPER CONTRIBUTIONS

From 1 July 2017, higher income thresholds apply when determining eligibility for the spouse contributions tax offset.

From this date, you may be eligible for a tax offset of up to $540 on super contributions of up to $3,000 that you make on behalf of your spouse if your spouse’s income is $37,000 p.a. or less (previously $10,800 p.a.).

The offset gradually reduces for income above $37,000 p.a. and completely phases out at $40,000 p.a. and above (previously $13,800 p.a.).

 

HIGH INCOME EARNER TAX ON CONTRIBUTIONS

The income threshold at which the additional 15% (‘Division 293’) tax is payable on super contributions has reduced from $300,000 to $250,000 p.a., effective 1 July 2017. Where you are required to pay this additional tax, making super contributions within the cap is still a tax effective strategy.

With super contributions taxed at a maximum of 30% and investment earnings in super taxed at a maximum of 15%, both these tax points are more favourable when compared to the highest marginal tax rate of 47% (including the Medicare levy).

  

GOVERNMENT CO-CONTRIBUTION TO YOUR SUPER

If you are on a lower income and earn at least 10% of your income from employment or carrying on a business and make a “non-concessional contribution” to super, you may be eligible for a Government co-contribution of up to $500.

In 2017/18, the maximum co-contribution is available if you contribute $1,000 and earn $36,813 or less. A lower amount may be received if you contribute less than $1,000 and/or earn between $36,814 and $51,812.

 

9 ways to reduce your tax

1. OWNERSHIP OF INVESTMENTS

A longer-term tax planning strategy can be reviewing the ownership of your investments. Any change of ownership needs to be carefully planned due to capital gains tax and stamp duty implications. Please seek advice from us prior to making any changes.

Investments may be owned by a Family Trust, which has the key advantage of providing flexibility in distributing income on an annual basis and an ability for up to $416 per year to be distributed to children or grandchildren tax-free.

 

2. PROPERTY DEPRECIATION REPORT

If you have an  investment property purchased pre-9 May 2017, a Property Depreciation Report (prepared by a Quantity Surveyor) will allow you to claim depreciation and capital works deductions on capital items within the property and on the property itself.

The cost of this report is generally recouped several times over by the tax savings in the first year of property ownership.

For residential properties purchased post 9 May 2017, there are limits on depreciation deductions. The new rules prevent investors from claiming depreciation deductions for ‘previously used’ assets  (i.e., plant & equipment) contained within second-hand residential properties. That is if you have purchased a residential investment property after this date, that has plant & equipment already installed and currently being used, you can no longer claim a  depreciation deduction for this equipment. You still however can claim a capital works deduction for any structural improvements pre-existing at the time of purchase.

Further you are no longer able to claim any deductions for the cost of travel relating to your residential rental property. As with prior years, the travel expenditure cannot be included in the cost base for calculating your capital gain or capital loss when you sell the property.

 

 3. MOTOR VEHICLE LOG BOOK

Ensure that you have kept an accurate and complete Motor Vehicle Log Book for at least a 12-week period. You should make a record of your odometer reading as at 30 June 2018, and keep all receipts/invoices for your motor vehicle expenses. Once prepared, a log book can generally be used for a 5-year period.

An alternative (with no log book needed) is to simply claim up to 5,000 business kilometres (based on a reasonable estimate) using the cents per km method.

 

 4. SACRIFICE YOUR SALARY TO SUPER

If your marginal tax rate is 19% or more, salary sacrifice can be a great way to boost your superannuation and pay less tax. By putting pre-tax salary into super rather than having it taxed as normal income at your marginal rate you may save tax. This can be especially beneficial for employees nearing their retirement age. Refer to our earlier discussion regarding the $25,000 super cap.

 

 5. PREPAY EXPENSES AND INTEREST

Expenses relating to investment activities can be prepaid before 30 June 2018. You can prepay up to 12 months of interest before 30 June on a loan for a property or share investment and claim a tax deduction this financial year. Also, other expenses in relation to your investments can be prepaid before 30 June, including rental property repairs, memberships, subscriptions, and journals.

 

 6. INSURANCE PREMIUMS

Possibly your greatest financial asset is your ability to earn an income. Income protection insurance generally replaces up to 75% of your salary if you are unable to work due to sickness or an accident. The insurance premium is normally tax deductible, plus you get the benefit of protecting your family’s lifestyle if you cannot work due to sickness or an accident. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind. Similar to rental property interest, income protection premiums can also be pre-paid for 12 months to increase your deductions. Talk to the team here at UNICA Wealth to explore this further.

 

 7. WORK RELATED EXPENSES

Don’t forget to keep any receipts for work-related expenses such as uniforms, training courses and learning materials, as these may be tax-deductible.

Please beware the ATO have flagged that they will be paying close attention to work related expenses claimed this year. You will need to retain and be able to substantiate any work-related expense claims if requested.

 

 8. REALISE CAPITAL LOSSES

Tax is normally payable on any capital gains. If you have realised capital gains in the year, you should consider selling any non-performing investments you hold before 30 June to crystallise a capital loss and reduce or even eliminate any potential capital gains tax liability. Unused capital losses can be carried forward to offset future capital gains.

 

 9. DEFER INVESTMENT INCOME & CAPITAL GAINS

If practical, arrange for the receipt of Investment Income (e.g. interest on term deposits) and the Contract Date for the sale of Capital Gains assets, to occur AFTER 30 June 2018.

The Contract Date (not the Settlement Date) is generally the key date for working out when a sale or purchase occurred.

 

General advice disclaimer

The information provided is of a general nature only, in preparing it we did not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs.

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2018 Personal & Families Tax Planning Guide

time to read: about 6 min