Six new opportunities for FY 2018/19

New rules have recently created potential opportunities to consider for the 2018/19 financial year.

BUYING YOUR FIRST HOME?

From 1 July this year, eligible first home buyers can withdraw voluntary contributions made after 1 July 2017 to their superannuation fund to purchase a first home under the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS). The FHSSS allows eligible first home buyers to save their deposit in the concessionally taxed super environment.

SELLING YOUR HOME?

Eligible super members can make super contributions of up to $300,000 per person from the sale of their home after 1 July this year, if they are aged 65 or over and meet other conditions. These contributions don’t count towards the concessional and non-concessional contribution caps and can be made even if the member doesn’t meet the usual age, work and other contribution tests.

ELIGIBLE FOR A TAX CUT?

The tax cuts announced in this year’s Federal Budget have been legislated. The first tranche took effect on 1 July this year, providing savings of up to $530 – see table below. There are a number of things that could be done with the extra cash, such as paying off debt and making extra super contributions (see opportunity 4).

WANT A SUPER DEDUCTION?

From 1 July 2017, most people (including employees for the first time) are eligible to claim personal super contributions as a tax deduction. This could reduce taxable income and give super savings a much needed boost.

NOT LIKELY TO MAX OUT YOUR SUPER CAP?

If super members make concessional (pre-tax) super contributions of less than the cap of $25,000 in 2018/19, they may be able to carry forward unused cap amounts, for use in a future financial year. This is worth keeping in mind – particularly for members who take time off work or work part-time. It means members may be able to make ‘catch-up’ concessional contributions from 1 July 2019, if their cashflow allows. Concessional contributions include all employer contributions (super guarantee and salary sacrifice), personal contributions claimed as a tax deduction and certain other amounts.

HAVE AN SMSF?

From 1 July this year, if a pension is started or is running in an SMSF, certain events may need to be reported to the ATO using the ‘Transfer Balance Account Reporting’. Also, while not yet in effect, if a new limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA) is started in an SMSF, there is a potential law change that would make the outstanding balance of a relevant LRBA count towards the members’ ‘total super balance’.

NEED HELP?

We can help assess whether any of these potential opportunities suit your needs and situation and make suitable adjustments to your financial plans.

Disclosure: Any advice in this publication is of a general nature only and has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal advice prior to acting on this information.