You may have heard, major changes to tax and superannuation were approved by the Australian Government in early December 2016, and most of these changes will take place on 1 July 2017. The good news is there is still time to maximise your super contributions before these changes take effect.
Make no mistake, these changes are significant. In fact, they are the biggest in the last 10 years. Which is why you need to start planning for these changes as soon as possible. How do you do this? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
There are 3 key actions for you, right now.
1. Maximise Super Contributions – Large Amounts Now For Possibly the Last Time
While you might not be flush with cash now or able to put large amounts into superannuation, it’s important that you’re aware of what is possible to maximise your super balance and how to reduce your tax.
The following changes occur from 1 July 2017:
- The tax deductible super contribution cap decreases to $25,000 per year (from $30,000 per year) for up to age 49, or $35,000 per year for age 50 to age 75 )after passing a work test if over 65).
- The non-tax deductible super contribution cap decreases to $100,000 per year (provided your super balance is less than $1.6 million) from $180,000 per year.
- You may have a one-off opportunity to make a non-tax deductible contribution to super of $540,000 before 30 June 2017, depending on prior year contributions if any.
2. After You’ve Maxed Out Your Super Tax Deductions What Else Is There?
One of the most effective ways to reduce your tax is through super contributions. The second is to prepay interest on an investment asset.
One solution is to prepay interest towards a portfolio of shares that are capital protected (meaning the value of the initial portfolio is 100% protected if the market falls).
This has the effect of getting a tax refund and then using it to help fund owning a protected share portfolio, usually for a 2-year period.
Unfortunately, this strategy doesn’t apply to everyone. You must be pre-qualified to ensure you will be better off from this strategy.
3. Establish a Blood Descendant Will to Keep Your Money and Assets In Your Family
We believe a blood descendant Will (or a lineal descent Will) is possibly the most important thing you can create for your family.
Rather than making gifts under your Will to individuals, you can make gifts to blood descendant Trusts set aside for those individuals.
After your death, the individual you have intended to benefit will control the blood descendant Trust set aside for them and will be able to use the assets in the trust as if they owned them.
It is worth noting that those assets will not be at risk should the individual divorce or have a separation.
Under the terms of a blood descendant Will:
- The passing of the capital assets or proceeds is limited to the Will-maker’s bloodline.
- Income may be distributed to a broader range of beneficiaries, including in-laws (at the discretion of the trustee).
- Assets are protected from attacks against beneficiaries, whether from personal creditors or the Family Court.
Need Help Maximising Your Super Contributions? Batterham & Associates Can Help.
Not only do we specialise in tax and accounting, but we also offer financial planning and business advice. Get in touch today for a FREE no-obligation consultation to discuss your options.
