by Infocus
The 2018-19 Federal Budget that was handed down last night focused more on minor adjustments than sweeping reforms. In our view, it was a Budget designed to create short, sharp election headlines, but there were also measures that will provide financial planning opportunities for many Australians.
One of the more significant announcements was the Government’s determination to reduce personal income tax over stages starting with tax relief for low and middle-income earners from 1 July 2018 and culminating in the elimination of the 37 per cent tax bracket (and increasing the lower threshold of the top tax bracket) from 1 July 2024.
A summary of the key points from the Budget that may affect your financial situation is provided below. Please remember that before any of these announcements can be implemented they will require the passing of legislation and may be subject to change.
A summary of the key budget measures include:
1. Making the tax system easier over the coming years by reducing tax brackets
2. Tax reductions for low and middle-income earners
3. Reduction in fees and a ban on exit fees on all super funds
4. Opt-in insurance for young and low super balance Australians
5. Increasing SMSF members from 4 to 6
6. Super trustees will need to build new retirement income options for their members
7. Expanding the pension loan scheme to all older Australians.
Changes to income tax bracket thresholds
From 1 July 2018, the Government will increase the top threshold of the 32.5 percent personal income tax bracket from $87,000 to $90,000.
The Government will increase the Medicare Levy low-income threshold for singles, families and single seniors and pensioners from 2017-18 income year.
Medicare Levy low-income threshold for families
2% Medicare Levy retained
The Medicare levy rate will no longer be increased from 2.0 to 2.5 per cent of taxable income from 1 July 2019.
Small business – extending the $20,000 instant asset write-off
The $20,000 instant asset write-off will be extended by a further 12 months to 30 June 2019 for businesses with aggregated annual turnover less than $10 million.
Small businesses will be able to immediately deduct purchases of eligible assets costing less than $20,000 first used or installed ready for use by 30 June 2019. Only a few assets are not eligible (such as horticultural plants and in-house software).
From 1 July 2018, the Government will introduce a seven year Personal Income Tax Plan over three stages that includes:
Step 1: Targeted tax relief to low and middle income earners
A Low and Middle-Income Tax Offset will be introduced. The offset is: a non-refundable tax offset
The offset will provide a benefit of:
Step 2: Protecting middle income Australian from bracket creep
The top threshold of 32.5 per cent personal income tax bracket will be increased from $87,000 to $90,000. This measure takes effect from 1 July 2018. Other measures include:
Step 3: Ensuring Australians pay less tax by making the system simpler
The 37 per cent tax bracket will be removed entirely:
These measures take effect from 1 July 2024.
Capping passive fees, banning exit fees and consolidating small and inactive super accounts
From 1 July 2019, there will be a three per cent annual cap on passive fees charged by superannuation funds on accounts with balances below $6,000 and exit fees will be banned on all superannuation accounts. In addition, all inactive superannuation accounts with balances below $6,000 will need to be transferred to the ATO.
Changes to insurance in superannuation
From 1 July 2019, insurance in superannuation will only be able to be offered on an opt-in basis for:
Work test exemption for recent retirees
From 1 July 2019, the Government will introduce an exemption from the work test for voluntary contributions to superannuation, for people aged 65-74 with superannuation balances below $300,000, in the first year that they do not meet the work test requirements. This measure will allow contributions to be made for an additional 12 months.
Increasing the maximum number of allowable members in SMSFs and small APRA funds from four to six
From 1 July 2019, the maximum number of members permitted in new and existing self-managed superannuation funds and small APRA funds will be increased from four to six.
Three-year audit cycle for some SMSFs
From 1 July 2019, self-managed superannuation funds with a history of good record-keeping and compliance will be subject to a three-yearly audit requirement rather than an annual audit requirement.
The Government announced it is developing a retirement income framework to increase flexibility and choice for retirees and help boost living standards.
Comprehensive Income Products for Retirement
The superannuation law will be amended to introduce a retirement covenant that will require superannuation trustees to formulate a retirement income strategy for superannuation fund members. The intention is to focus the industry on providing a higher standard of living for retirees.
The covenant will require trustees to offer Comprehensive Income Products for Retirement (CIPRs): products that provide individuals income for life, no matter how long they live. Offering a CIPR would be a core part of how trustees implement the retirement income strategy developed for their members.
Pension Work Bonus
From 1 July 2019, the Pension Work Bonus will increase from $250 to $300 per fortnight with the maximum unused amount that can be accrued increasing to $7,800 (up from $6,500).
In addition, the Government will extend the Pension Work Bonus to those who are self-employed. However, a ‘personal exertion’ test will be introduced to ensure the Pension Work Bonus is only available to those who are engaged in gainful work and not to those receiving passive income such as income from real estate.
Expanding the Pension Loan Scheme
From 1 July 2019, the Government will expand eligibility to the Pension Loan Scheme to include all Australians of Age Pension age. The Government will also increase the loan amount so that an individual can receive a fortnightly amount up to 150 per cent of the maximum Age Pension rate.
*NEXT GENERATION CLIENTS* If you’ve received information from the Next Generation liquidators, Infocus has been appointed to take over the advice relationship and look after you going forward. We will send you an email with more information shortly. Rest assured, this is simply a change of financial planner and there has been no other changes made to your superannuation or investments. Our team of financial planners is looking forward to working with you. In the interim, please email hello@infocus.com.au or call (07) 5406 5000.