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What to Do When You Get a Division 293 Tax Notice for Super Contributions

Updated: Aug 22, 2024

I wanted to share some important updates about the ATO's redesigned Division 293 notice. This new design aims to make it easier for individuals to understand how their tax has been calculated and to identify any errors due to incorrect reporting. Here’s a detailed breakdown: 


Division 293 Tax Overview 


Income Threshold 


From 1 July 2017, the income threshold above which individuals pay an additional 15% tax on certain superannuation contributions was reduced from $300,000 to $250,000. 


Division 293 Income 


Division 293 income includes: 


  • Taxable income 

  • Reportable fringe benefits 

  • Total net investment losses 


Ad-hoc Income 


Even if you’re not generally a high-income earner, you might still be liable for Division 293 tax if you receive certain one-off payments during a year. These include: 


  • Eligible termination payments 

  • The taxable component of a superannuation death benefit 

  • Capital gains 


However, the taxable component of a super lump sum benefit (other than a death benefit) is not included where: 


  • It is received by individuals from preservation age to age 59 

  • It is up to the current low rate cap of $205,000 


Division 293 Contributions 


Division 293 contributions include: 


  • Employer contributions 

  • Personal deductible contributions 

  • Contributions for a defined benefit interest (valued by an actuary) 

  • Employer contributions (including salary sacrifice) to a constitutionally protected fund 

The additional tax does not apply to: 


  • Excess concessional contributions 

  • Non-concessional contributions 

  • Contributions to certain Government funds for senior personnel, unless they are salary sacrifice contributions 

  • Contributions for certain Judges to defined benefit funds 


Calculation of Division 293 Tax 


Division 293 tax is 15% of the lesser of: 

  • The amount of the Division 293 contributions 

  • The amount of Division 293 income and Division 293 contributions above the $250,000 threshold 


Case Study 


David's Details: 


  • Division 293 income: $240,000 

  • Division 293 contributions: $20,000 

  • Total: $260,000 


Calculation: 


Division 293 tax is payable on $10,000, being the lesser of: 


  • $20,000 

  • $260,000 – $250,000 = $10,000 

  • The Division 293 tax amount is 15% x $10,000 = $1,500 


Division 293 Notice 


The ATO issues an Additional tax on concessional contributions (Division 293) notice to individuals, specifying the additional amount of tax that is payable and the due date for payment. The redesigned notice includes: 


  • The full assessment calculation 

  • Information on how to avoid interest charges 

  • Instructions on viewing statements of accounts online 

  • The process for disagreeing with the assessment 


Choices for Payment 


When you receive a Division 293 assessment, you can choose to: 


  • Pay the tax from your personal resources 

  • Elect to have the amount released from your super fund to pay the tax 


The election can be made via MyGov or by completing a Division 293 tax due and payable form. The ATO will then send a release authority to the super fund, which must make the payment within 10 business days from the date the release authority is issued. 


Instructions to complete your election form:

You can complete an election form online using ATO online services. Select Super, then Manage, then Division 293 election.


If you don't have a myGov account, create one and link it to the ATO. You can also ask your tax agent to do it for you using ATO online services for agents.


Conclusion 


Understanding the choices available and the process involved in paying Division 293 tax can assist in ensuring that any tax payable is completed in a manner most appropriate to your circumstances. 


Please feel free to share this article and get the word out. If you’d like some advice, please click the button below to book an appointment. We have offices in Melbourne and Gold Coast, serve clients nationally, and can meet via Teams or Zoom. 




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