The tax cuts introduced from July 1 and other changes may mean it’s time for a review of your current tax, super and investment strategies to make sure you’re maximising the benefits.

Under the changes, the previous 19 per cent tax rate reduces to 16 per cent, while the 32.5 per cent rate drops to 30 per cent. The income threshold at which the existing 37 per cent tax applies increases from the current $120,000 to $135,000.i

In addition, the income threshold at which the 45 per cent tax rate applies increases from $180,000 to $190,000.

More income but salary packaging impact

With additional disposable income now available, it might be a good time, depending on your circumstances, to consider contributing more to your super or paying down non-deductible debt such as your mortgage.

If you have a salary packaging arrangement currently in place, it’s worth noting the reduction in the lowest tax rate from 19 per cent to 16 per cent may affect the value of these types of strategies for some taxpayers.

For example, someone packaging $15,000 of debt repayments in 2023-24 saved around $5,000 with the 37 per cent tax rate, but under the new, lower 2024-25 tax rate of 30 per cent, this tax saving is significantly reduced.

Medicare Levy threshold uplift

Some taxpayers will also see changes due to the May 2024 Federal Budget increase to the low-income threshold for the Medicare Levy.

The lift in the existing income thresholds is designed to ensure low-income taxpayers continue to be exempt from the Medicare Levy or pay a reduced levy rate.

For the 2024-25 year, the income threshold exempts people earning $26,000 or less from paying the Medicare levy. After that, the levy increases gradually, with the full 2 per cent levy paid by anyone earning more than $32,500.ii

Tax cuts impact businesses

Employers will also feel the impact of the new income tax rates and need to ensure they are withholding the right amount of pay as you go (PAYG) withholding tax from each employee’s pay, starting from 1 July 2024.

Employers should check their payroll software is using the correct, new withholding rates. An easy way to do this is to use the ATO’s online Tax Withheld Calculator.

SG rate changes for employees

From 1 July 2024, the Super Guarantee (SG) that employers are required to pay into their employees’ personal super accounts increased from 11 per cent to 11.5 per cent of ordinary times earnings. The SG will rise again on 1 July 2025 to reach its final level of 12 per cent.iii

The quarterly maximum super contributions base (MSCB) also rose to $65,070 (up from $62,270) from 1 July. Employers are not required to provide SG contributions for any salary amount paid to an employee above the quarterly MSCB limit.

Super contribution caps rise

From 1 July, there were increases in the annual caps on super contributions before extra tax becomes payable on the contribution amount.

The concessional (before-tax) contributions cap increased to $30,000 (up from $27,500 in 2023-24), while the annual non-concessional (after-tax) contributions cap rose to $120,000 (up from $110,000 in 2023-24).iv

The increase in the non-concessional contributions cap means the limit for bring forward contributions now sits at $360,000 over three years (up from $330,000 over three years in 2023-24). The cap on your total super balance remains at $1.9 million, as does the general transfer balance cap.

For 2024-25, the CGT cap amount (or lifetime limit) for eligible business owners wanting to make tax advantaged contributions into their super account is $1,780,000 (up from $1,705,000 in 2023-24).v

If you need help navigating the updated tax and super rules in place for the new financial year, call our office today.

i https://taxcuts.gov.au/
ii https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-25/low-income-earners-extra-tax-relief/103387054
iii https://www.ato.gov.au/tax-rates-and-codes/key-superannuation-rates-and-thresholds/super-guarantee
iv https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/growing-and-keeping-track-of-your-super/caps-limits-and-tax-on-super-contributions/concessional-contributions-cap
v https://www.ato.gov.au/tax-rates-and-codes/key-superannuation-rates-and-thresholds/contributions-caps#ato-CGTcapamount

 

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