Superannuation Changes

Superannuation Changes

Superannuation Changes

Super Fund Stapling

Superannuation changes came into place in November and with even more changes to come later in the year, are you up to date on these changes? What do they mean for your business and what to do to prepare for what is to come. 

Super Stapling

Employers can no longer ‘automatically’ add new staff to their company default superannuation fund.

For each new employee that commences with an Employer from Nov 2021, if they do not provide a completed super choice form, you need to obtain their super details from the ATO portal. This is not optional, with the Superannuation legislation updated to make this process enforceable.

There is a process available on the ATO portal for employers to do this. Click here to view this.

For Employers to make a fund request for their new employee, they will need their full name, date of birth, address and tax file number. The requests will take about 5-10 minutes to come back.

The stapled fund information supplied will identify where the employer MUST pay the super for that employee into. The employer CANNOT decide where to pay it into for new employees.

This new process does not change any superannuation arrangements already in place for existing employees.

Plus 1 Hint – in order to facilitate a faster process, we would encourage all Employers to provide new employees with a super choice form, this will capture the required information at the time of commencing employment and remove the need to obtain the super fund details from the ATO.
For further information, read this reference guide. 

Superannuation rate rise

Employers should be aware of and planning for the slated superannuation increase to 10.5% from 1st July 2022 and a further 0.5% each year till it gets to 12% in 2025. A labour govt is not likely to change this.

Superannuation threshold

Employers would be aware that their employees normally need to earn more than $450 per month in order for superannuation to be payable. This would primarily impact casual & part-time workers on low income or low hours per week.

It is currently scheduled, for the removal of the monthly earning threshold as of July 1st 2022.

Under the changes, all staff would have super payable at the applicable rate regardless of how much they earn.

This will not impact the current requirements for staff under 18 years of age and the specific requirements that apply for them.

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Superannuation Changes

Super Fund Stapling

Super Fund Stapling

Effective November 1st 2021

Super Fund Stapling

From November 1st, employers can no longer ‘automatically’ sign new staff up into their default or industry fund.

All individuals working will have a fund ‘stapled’ to their tax file number. What this means is when a person changes jobs the current super fund follows them to their new job. The Australian Tax Office will be responsible for identifying an individuals stapled fund.

What does this mean for you and your new employees joining your workplace from 1 November?

The most significant change from 1 November 2021 is employers can only open a new super account for an employee within their default plan if the employee:

  • actively selects that fund, or
  • does not have an existing super fund.

An employee can only actively select the fund by completing the super choice form.

This will potentially see delays in setting up new employees for some business as they will need to get this info from the employee.

Payroll software companies are working with the ATO around these requirements.

What employers need to do from 1 November 2021

  1. Provide new employees with Choice of Fund, either via a form (Standard Choice form),  or via any existing employer onboarding process.
  2. Pay new employee’s super into the account nominated on the Choice of Fund form.

What happens if a new employee doesn’t nominate a choice of fund?

If a new employee doesn’t choose a super fund, employers will need to undertake a ‘stapling check’ via the ATO website.

The ATO will ask employers to confirm an employment relationship exists with the employer and new employee.

Once confirmed, the employer may search for an employee’s stapled super fund. The ATO portal will confirm one of the two following outcomes:

  • Stapled fund found: You must pay superannuation guarantee contributions to that fund unless your employee gives you a valid Choice of Fund form.
  • No stapled fund found: You can set the new employee up in your default super fund and pay contributions into their new account.

ATO – requesting stapled super fund details

Step 2: Request stapled super fund details

If your employee doesn’t choose a super fund, you may need to log into our online services to request their stapled super fund details. A tax practitioner can also do this for you.

You’ll be able to request your employee’s stapled super fund after you have submitted a Tax file number declaration or Single Touch Payroll pay event, which identifies that you have an employment relationship.

There is no limit to the number of requests you can make.

To request a stapled super fund, you, or your authorised representative, need to:

  • Log into ATO online services and enter your employee’s details, including their:
    • TFN – an exemption code can be entered where an employee can’t provide their TFN, but this could result in processing delays
    • full name – including ‘other given name’ if known
    • date of birth
    • address (residential or postal), if TFN not given.

The online system will use rules based on the regulations to work out and return a stapled super fund in response to a request.

You should be notified of the result of the stapled super fund request (on-screen) within minutes.

The ATO will notify your employee of the stapled super fund request and the fund details they have provided.

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Changes Coming to Superannuation

Changes Coming to Superannuation

Changes Coming To Superannuation

How are you impacted?

2021 End of Financial Year blocks

Earlier this month, both the Treasury Laws Amendment (Self-Managed Superannuation Funds) Bill 2020 and the Treasury Laws Amendment (More Flexible Superannuation) Bill 2020 passed through the House of Representatives and the Senate.

What changed and what does this mean for you?

Bring Forward Rule Extension

The bring-forward rule extension will enable individuals aged 65 and 66 to make up to three years of Non-Concessional (After-Tax) Superannuation Contributions under the bring-forward rule.

Previously, this was restricted to individuals under age 65, who at any time in a financial year could effectively bring forward up to two years’ worth of non-concessional contributions for that income year, allowing them to contribute a greater amount up to $300,000 without exceeding their non-concessional cap.

In short, instead of needing to be under age 65 at any point in the financial year to utilise the ‘bring forward rule’, you can now be under age 67 at any point in the financial year.

This change coincides with the changes in the work test and spouse contributions.

Six Member SMSFs (From 1st July 2021)

For those of you with a Self-Managed Superannuation Fund, this change increases the maximum number of members permitted in your SMSF from four to six.

Increasing the allowable size of these funds will increase the choice and flexibility for members. SMSFs are often used by families as a vehicle for controlling their own superannuation savings and investment strategies.

For larger families (more than four), currently the only real options are to create two SMSFs (which would incur extra costs) or place their superannuation in a large industry or retail fund. This change will help large families to include all their family members in their SMSF.

This change will provide greater investment flexibility, choice and lower fees for those in a position to use it.

Removal of Excess Concessional Contributions Charge
(From 1st July 2021)

This amendment removes the application of an excess concessional contribution charge that applies to any additional tax liabilities that arise due to a member exceeding their concessional contributions in a year.

Prior to the change, if you exceed your concessional contributions cap, you also may have to pay the excess concessional contribution charge (ECC charge).

This charge is in addition to the extra tax you pay when your excess contributions are included in your assessable income.

Your Future, Your Super (From 1st November 2021)

Super Fund Stapling

Aimed at reducing the creation of duplicate accounts when workers change jobs, as this can result in members paying fees to multiple funds.

The change will see workers ‘stapled’ to the first super fund they join unless they explicitly choose to join another.

PROS: Avoids multiple accounts with multiple fees – this is a massive issue, particularly for those who change jobs often – this overall will lead to higher super balances come retirement which is the entire point of superannuation

DANGERS: Unless people are engaged with their super, this could create an underinsurance issue as well as people being potentially ‘stapled’ to a poor fund. With many people underinsured already, this creates a massive problem.

New Performance Testing

APRA will measure super funds against an industry benchmark for financial returns to members. Funds that fail to meet these benchmarks for two consecutive years will be banned from taking on new members in a move that is expected to protect Australians from handing over money to poor funds.

PROS: Makes super funds more accountable for their performance. Also helps people understand if there super is performing or no

DANGERS: Investing is a long-term game. Super funds may be encouraged to make higher risk investments in the hope of beating the benchmark and making investments based on short term influences rather than long term.

Best Financial Interests Duty

The changes will also introduce a new Best Financial Interests Duty to ensure all super fund expenditure is in the interests of members.

PROS: Less of your money being spent on advertising etc.

DANGERS: May lead to higher costs as funds would have to carry out additional compliance without any corresponding benefit.

Re-contribution of COVID 19 Early Release Amounts
(From 1st July 2021)

This change will allow a member that released amounts from superannuation under the COVID 19 early release rules to recontribute those amounts without counting towards the non-concessional cap. These contributions cannot be claimed as a tax deduction. This contribution needs to be made between 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2030.

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SG Amnesty Bill Passes Parliament

SG Amnesty Bill Passes Parliament

SG Amnesty Bill Passes Parliament

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The Recovering Unpaid Superannuation Bill has now passed through parliament and is waiting on royal assent.

The SG (Superannuation Guarantee) is a 6-month amnesty aimed at providing employers a once off pardon and to encourage them to self-correct any SG non-compliance between 1st July 1992 and 31 March 2018.

Employers with any non compliance between 2018 to now are not eligible for the amnesty period.

The amnesty will allow employers to claim tax deductions for payments of SG or other contributions made during the amnesty period to offset SG charge and remove a penalty that may otherwise apply in relation to SG non-compliance.

The amnesty period started on 24 May 2018 and ends six months from the date it receives royal assent (yet to be announced).

The new legislation will also impose minimum penalties on employers who fail to come forward during the amnesty period by limiting the commissioner’s ability to remit penalties below 100 per cent of the amount of SG charge payable.

So far approximately 7,000 employers have come forward voluntarily since the amnesty was first announced on 24 May 2018 and the Treasury estimates an additional 7,000 employers will come forward during the final 6-month amnesty period, returning a figure of around 230 million to employees who may otherwise have missed out.

This is the perfect opportunity for employers to pay out what is owing to employees while not facing additional late penalties and fees.

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End of Financial Year Check-List

End of Financial Year Check-List

End of Financial Year Check-List 

Are you ready for the End of Financial Year?

Tax deductions for personal contributions

 From the 1st July 2017, the requirement that an employed individual has to earn less than 10.0% of their income from employment related activities to qualify to claim a tax deduction for a personal super contribution no longer applies. Broadly, this means that any individual who is eligible to contribute to super will be able to claim a tax deduction for their personal super contributions. There are limits as to how much you can contribute and claim as a deduction. You cannot contribute any more than $25,000 during the 2018/19 financial year. It is important to remember that this figure includes any super guarantee or salary sacrifice contributions. If you exceed this limit, the additional amount will be included in your assessable income and taxed at your marginal tax rate. You will also attract an excess concessional contribution charge. At the same time, you will receive a refund of the 15% contribution tax that would have already been applied to your contribution. It is important to remember, that you must complete a “Notice of intent” or a “section 290 notice” to claim a tax deduction and lodge this with your super fund. This must be done before you lodge your income tax return for the income year in which the contribution was made. The cap remains $25,000 during the 2019/20 financial year.

Government Co-Contributions

The superannuation co-contribution is a Government initiative to help eligible individuals boost their super savings for the future. If you are a low or middle-income earner, you may be able to take advantage of the super co-contribution payment by making eligible personal super contributions to your super fund. You are eligible to participate in this initiative if you earn 10% or more of your income from carrying on a business, eligible employment or a combination of the two. The maximum Government payment of $500.00 will be available for a non-concessional contribution of $1,000 or more by an individual who earns below $37,697. The co-contribution phases out completely once total income reaches $52,696. The individuals eligibility for the co-contribution reduces by $0.03333 per dollar of income in excess of the lower threshold. Individuals must also be under the age of 71 at the end of the relevant year and meet the work test for any contributions made after reaching the age of 65. It is important to remember, your contribution needs to be applied to your account on or before the 30th June 2019.

    Spouse contribution

    A tax offset of up to $540.00 may be available for a spouse superannuation contribution of up to $3,000.00. The tax offset is reduced where the receiving spouse’s income (assessable income + salary sacrifice contributions + reportable fringe benefits) exceeds $37,000, cutting out at $40,000. The contribution rules and caps are treated on the receiving spouse. Therefore, no work test applies where the receiving spouse is under the age of 65. This is a great opportunity to reduce your tax bill and improve your overall retirement savings at the same time.

    Review salary sacrifice arrangements

    Even during turbulent investment markets, salary sacrificing into superannuation is still an effective strategy as the tax saving between your marginal tax rate and the superannuation contributions tax rate of 15% could be significant. Furthermore, any earnings achieved by your superannuation program will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15% as opposed to your marginal tax rate. Where an individual earns in excess of $37,000 (tax neutral position or thereabouts) and has other income sources available to them, an opportunity exists to sacrifice a portion of their income. Where a bonus is obtained and payable before the end of the financial year, consideration could be given to applying a portion of the same to your superannuation program. However, the election to salary sacrifice into super must be made before any income and/or bonus is derived.  It is important to remember that the contribution limits outlined in point 1 still apply and allowances need to be made for any superannuation guarantee contributions (9.50% post 1st July 2014) and/or additional employer contributions made during the financial year. Furthermore, if you participate in an employer sponsored superannuation scheme and your employer pays for your insurance costs, these contributions are counted towards the limits previously outlined. While it may be too late for this financial year, it is never too early to start planning for next year.  

    Top up your super (Non-Concessional Contributions NCC)

    If you have some surplus cash sitting in a bank account earning very little interest, consideration should be given to topping up your superannuation to create greater wealth for retirement purposes. It is important to remember that any money you apply to your superannuation account will be preserved until such time as you meet a condition of release. During the 2018/19 financial year, the non-concessional contribution limit is $100,000 per annum or a maximum of $300,000 over a 3 year period using the bring-forward cap. From 1st July 2017, the amount of the bring-forward that can be triggered is dependent on your Total Super Balance (TSB) and reduces where this balance exceeds $1.4m.

    Allocated pension draw-downs

    The minimum allocated pension draw down requirements will reflect your account balance as at 1st July each year. These minimum payment amounts are based on the following criteria for account-based pensions;

    Imputation credits

    The basis of the imputation system is that shareholders or unit holders who receive dividends or distributions are entitled to a tax offset for the tax paid by the company or trust on that income. This credit is extremely valuable due to it’s tax advantage status for all investors, even those who do not pay tax as the excess imputation credits can be refunded. If an individual is not required to lodge a tax return, they can complete a form requesting the ATO to refund the franking credits. If you have any direct shares and/or managed funds in place, please ensure that you consider your entitlements in this area. 

    Superannuation contribution splitting

    Superannuation contribution splitting is a strategy that involves splitting certain superannuation contributions with a spouse. It allows a single income family to share their superannuation benefits in a similar way to dual income families. An individual can split concessional contributions to an account held by their spouse, either within the same fund or any other complying superannuation fund, subject to the fund rules. Members can apply to split 2017/2018 contributions before 30th June 2019. Two of the key benefits of this strategy is to: A) Access two tax free thresholds from preservation age to age 59, effectively doubling the amount that is able to be withdrawn as a tax free lump sum ($205,000 x 2 = $410,000) and B) To shelter assets that will form part of Centrelink’s asset test. Due to the uncertainty surrounding contribution limits, this strategy may also offer some financial benefits at a future date.

    Prepay deductible expenses

    A tax deduction may be claimed for up to 12 month worth of interest prepaid on an investment loan on a rental property, margin loan on a share portfolio or managed investment, provided that the loan has the facility that allows this. In addition, the payment of other deductible expenses such as professional memberships or pre paying salary continuance/income protection insurance by 30th June 2019 will reduce taxable income.

    Employment terminations

     Where an employee has the ability to choose his or her leaving employment date, they may be able to optimize the tax treatment of payments received. For example, in a redundancy situation, the amounts able to be received tax free are indexed at the 1st July each year and are based on years of “completed service” or terminating employment after the 1st July rather than before also means that marginal and concessional tax rates can be best utilized if little or no other income is earned in that year.    

    Manage capital gains tax

    Where there is a potential capital gains liability from selling an asset during the year, it may be appropriate to sell another asset to crystallize a loss. Realising a loss allows individuals to offset capital gains and thus minimize or even eliminate a tax liability they may otherwise be facing. At the same time, this strategy may allow individuals to offload a low quality or under performing asset that has little likelihood of recovering in the short to medium term and to invest in a quality asset.

    Work test exemption for retirees

    Beginning from the 1st July 2019, a person who is age 65 or over can make voluntary super contributions without having to first meet the work test in the year the contribution is made. This is known as the work test exemption and is a once only opportunity. Broadly, the member can make voluntary contributions, both concessional and non-concessional in the year immediately following the year in which they last met the work test. However, the recent retiree must have a prior 30th June Total Superannuation Balance (TSB) of less than $300,000 to be eligible for this opportunity. Normal contribution restrictions apply.

    Unused concessional contributions

    Beginning in the 2018/19 financial year, a person can commence to accrue unused amounts of concessional contributions (CC) and carry forward these unused amounts. The first year a person can make additional CC’s from their unused amounts is in the 2019/20 financial year, provided their prior 30th June Total Superannuation Balance (TSB) was under $500,000.

    Downsizing contributions into Superannuation

    From 1st July 2018, if you are 65 years or older and meet the eligibility requirements, you may be able to choose to make a downsizer contribution into your super fund of up to $300,000 from the proceeds of selling your home.

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    Penalties for Outstanding Superannuation Obligations

    Penalties for Outstanding Superannuation Obligations

    Penalties for Outstanding Superannuation Obligations

    Are your Superannuation Obligations up to date?

    With the introduction of Single Touch Payroll, the ATO will receive live data of your employee obligations and will be aware of any unpaid Superannuation Guarantee Contributions (SGC).

    The ATO proposed to waiver penalties under their Superannuation Guarantee Amnesty which has not yet passed parliament and is yet to become law.

    The Amnesty would allow employers who have unpaid (SGC) between 1 July 1992 and 31 March 2018, to make a voluntary disclosure prior to the 23rd of May 2019 without penalty.

    If you have unpaid SGC for this period, you should consider making a voluntary disclosure to reduce your risk of penalties.

    Employers who don’t make a voluntary disclosure prior to the 23rd of May 2019 will face severer penalties, with the introduction of new legislation being passed earlier this month.

    The new legislation will allow the commissioner to issue a direction to an employer to;

    • Pay their outstanding superannuation obligations
    • Complete an approved education course
    • And receive penalties or imprisonment for 12 months (in serious cases), or both.

    Below is an example (provided by the ATO), of the potential penalties an employer may face for unpaid SGC obligations;

    Key Note:

    • The above example does not include ATO penalties as these vary case by case.
    • The SGC was calculated on the full wage, not just ordinary time earnings.
    • The SGC paid is non-deductible to the business because it is paid late.
    • The ATO may issue a Director Penalty Notice making the Director personally liable for the debt.

    We strongly recommend that employers rectify an unpaid SGC obligations as soon as possible, to avoid any potential penalties in the future.

    If you are unsure how to determine the amount outstanding or how to go about payment, please contact us; we are more than happy to assist you.

    We are here to help you through the process!

    The new legislation is awaiting Royal Assent, with the legislation to take effect from 1 April 2019, but will apply to SGC obligations arising from 1 July 2018.
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