How to minimise personal tax in 2021

As we rapidly approach 30 June, now is the time to take advantage of opportunities to minimise personal tax liability.

Imagine what you could do with the tax saved!

• Reduce your home loan
• Top up your super
• Save for a holiday (when we can travel again)
• Deposit for an investment property
• Upgrade your car

The most important thing to remember is that there is no point in spending money to get a tax deduction, unless it’s going to result in something useful for you.

Here’s a guide to some of the strategies you can use to minimise personal tax.

 

SUPERANNUATION STRATEGIES

 

1. Take advantage of the $25,000 superannuation cap

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 67.

To save tax, consider making the maximum tax deductible super contribution this year before 30 June 2021. 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%.

 

2.  Carry-forward unused concessional contributions

Carry-forward contributions are not a new type of contribution, they are simply new rules that allow super fund members to use any of their unused concessional contributions cap on a rolling basis for five years.

This means if you don’t use the full amount of your concessional contribution cap ($25,000 in 2019, 2020 and 2021), you can carry-forward the unused amount and take advantage of it up to five years later.

Carry-forward contributions are calculated on a rolling basis over five years, but any amount not used after five years expires. These carry-forward rules only relate to concessional contributions into super, not non-concessional contributions, as they have different caps.

 

3.  Super contribution splitting

You can make super contributions on behalf of your spouse (married or de facto), provided you meet eligibility criteria and your super fund allows it. This is known as contribution splitting.

Doing this not only helps to boost your spouse’s retirement savings, it can also help you save tax if your spouse has limited income.

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.

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

 

4.  Contributions for high income earners

The income threshold at which the additional 15% (‘Division 293’) tax is payable on super $250,000 p.a. 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).

 

5.  Government co-contributions for lower income earners

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 2021, the maximum co-contribution is available if you contribute $1,000 and earn $39,837 or less. A lower amount may be received if you contribute less than $1,000 and/or earn between $39,837 and $54,837.

 

6.  Sacrifice salary to super

If your annual income is $45,000 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.

 

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.

 

1.  Home office expenses during COVID-19

If you have been working from home due to COVID, you may have expenses you can claim a tax deduction for. The ATO allows you to claim using a “Shortcut Method” an amount of $0.80 per work hour for the 2021 year. This amount covers all expenses from working from home, and you need to keep a record of how you calculated the number of hours you are claiming.

You can also claim using the fixed rate method or actual cost method. We can help you work out which method is going to be the most beneficial for your circumstances.

 

2.  Motor vehicle expenses

To ensure you don’t miss out on claiming motor vehicle expenses, you’ll need to have kept an accurate and complete Motor Vehicle Log Book for at least a 12-week period. The start date for the 12-week period must be on or before 30 June 2021. You should make a record of your odometer reading as at 30 June 2021 and keep all receipts/invoices for motor vehicle expenses.

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.

 

3.  Income protection insurance

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. Like rental property interest, income protection premiums can also be pre-paid for 12 months to increase your deductions.

 

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES

 

1.  Property depreciation report

If you have an investment property, 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.

 

2.  Prepay expenses and interest

Expenses relating to investment activities can be prepaid before 30 June 2021. 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.

 

3.  Realise capital losses

Tax is normally payable on any capital gains. You should consider selling any non-performing investments you hold before 30 June 2021 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.

 

4.  Defer investment income and 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 2021.

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

 

LONGER TERM STRATEGIES

 

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 your Accountant 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.

 

Next steps:

Our tax specialists conduct tax planning sessions from April to June.  The earlier this occurs the better, as you’ll have more time to take advantage of strategies and organise your cash flow around tax liabilities.

To organise a meeting to work through your year-end tax planning, contact Marsh & Partners on 07 3023 4800 or at mail@marshpartners.com.au.

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