This time of year, people’s thoughts start turning to their tax return, but it can also be a good time to set things up so you don’t pay more tax than required next financial year.
Simply talking to your employer about setting up an arrangement to “sacrifice” some of your pre-tax salary could potentially lower your tax bill – and boost your retirement nest-egg.
Reducing your tax bill
Although it can sound complicated, a salary sacrifice arrangement simply involves coming to an agreement with your employer to pay for everyday items or services you would normally pay for out of your after-tax salary directly from your before-tax salary. This might include things like childcare, health insurance or super. The benefit is that this reduces the level of income the ATO uses to calculate your tax bill.
Salary sacrifice arrangements deliver the biggest benefit to people on mid to higher incomes as it has the potential to reduce their tax-assessable income the most, but anybody can use them.
If you set up a salary sacrifice arrangement with your employer, it’s important to understand that while your taxable income is lower, the benefits are still listed on your annual payment summary. For some people, this reduces the tax offsets, child support payments or other government benefits they receive, limiting the value of salary sacrifice.
Salary sacrificing options
The items or services you can pay for using salary sacrifice depend on your employer.
Some employers are prepared to let their employee’s salary sacrifice for expenses such as cars, health insurance, school fees and home phones. Others are not prepared to do this, as they may end up paying Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) on the benefits you receive.
Employers are usually more willing to allow you to package FBT-exempt work-related items such as portable electronic devices, computer software, protective clothing or tools of trade, as these generally don’t result in FBT bills.
Boost your super account
One of the most common forms of salary sacrifice is redirecting some of your pre-tax salary into your super fund. Most companies are willing to provide this option as it not only helps you build your retirement savings, but it can also earn them a tax deduction.
When you salary sacrifice into your super, your contributions are taxed at 15 per cent when your super fund receives the money. For most people, this is a lower tax rate than if they received the money as normal income.
A further bonus with salary sacrificing into super is you only pay 15 per cent on any investment earnings you receive inside super, instead of your marginal tax rate for investments held outside super.
Find out what’s on offer
If you’re interested in a salary sacrifice arrangement, it’s a good idea to discuss the subject with your employer or HR team to find out the company’s policy.
It’s also a good idea to talk to us before signing a salary sacrifice agreement, as the value of these arrangements needs to be weighed up carefully against your reduced take-home pay and the potential loss of government benefits.
These arrangements should be put in writing before you earn the income you are sacrificing, so you need to talk to your employer prior to at starting your new arrangement.
If you would like help working out if a salary sacrifice arrangement makes sense for you, call our office today on 1300 79 80 38.
If you would like assistance getting your accounts under control as we approach the end of financial year, call us today on 1300 79 80 38.
Visit our Financial Knowledge Centre where you will access educational videos and articles, plus join our monthly e-Newsletter to help improve your financial knowledge.
If this article interested you and you would like to speak to Pat Casey on the phone, select a time to speak Pat – Financial Planner Sydney.
At Assure Wealth we specialise in helping busy, successful families structure their finances to achieve greater wealth and financial peace of mind.
Author: Pat Casey – Managing Director & Financial Planner Sydney – Assure Wealth
Download the Assure Wealth Corporate Brochure
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website has been provided as general advice only. We have not considered your financial circumstances, needs or objectives and you should seek the assistance of your Walker Lane Pty Ltd Adviser before you make any decision regarding any products mentioned in this communication. Whilst all care has been taken in the preparation of this material, no warranty is given in respect of the information provided and accordingly neither Walker Lane nor its related entities, employees or agents shall be liable on any ground whatsoever with respect to decisions or actions taken as a result of you acting upon such information.
Assure Wealth Pty Ltd ABN 31 965 466 780 Corporate Authorised Representative no. 1244817, Patrick Casey Sub-Authorised Representative no. 1244748 of Walker Lane Pty Ltd ABN 70 626 199 826, an AFSL holder No 509305.
