What are reportable superannuation contributions?

Key takeaways:

• If your employer makes extra super contributions to your super account, your employer is required to report these to the ATO as reportable employer super contributions.
• There are two types of reportable super contributions - reportable employer super contributions and reportable personal concessional contributions.
• Reportable personal concessional contributions are reported as tax deductible contributions in your tax return
• You’ll need to disclose reportable super contributions when applying for various offsets and concessions such as childcare, private health and parental leave.

There are various types of super contributions, each considered differently by the ATO, so it’s important to fully understand them so you can work out what needs to be reported. Below, let’s take a look at what reportable superannuation contributions are and who is responsible for declaring them.

What are reportable super contributions?

Reportable super contributions is the term used to describe contributions into super that are above mandated employer super contributions.

Reportable superannuation contributions need to be reported as the ATO uses them to calculate a range of thresholds, tax concessions, deductions, levies and Centrelink benefits.

There are two types of reportable superannuation contributions:

• Reportable employer super contributions
• Reportable personal concessional contributions.

It’s not uncommon for your reportable super contributions to be a combination of personal concessional contributions and employer super contributions.

Reportable super contributions are considered concessional contributions and have therefore been taxed at the super contributions tax rate of 15%.

What are reportable employer super contributions?

There are several types of reportable employer super contributions including:

• Additional employer super contributions above the mandatory Super Guarantee contribution rate of 11%
• Salary sacrifice contributions
• Bonuses, lump sums and other employment payments directed to super
• Salary packaged super contributions

What are reportable personal concessional contributions?

On the other hand, reportable personal concessional contributions are any contributions you make into your super account and then claim a tax deduction for the amount in your individual tax return.

How will reportable super contributions impact me?

Reportable super contributions will affect the income tests for some tax offsets and concessions. You’ll be required to disclose reportable super contributions when applying for various assessments, including:

• Super benefits and taxes, such as the spouse contribution tax offset or the government co-contribution
• Government benefits such as family tax benefits, parental leave, childcare subsidies and health care cards
• Other offsets and levies, including seniors and pensioners tax offset, Medicare levy surcharge and your private health rebate

So, what do I need to do to disclose reportable super contributions?

If your employer makes reportable employer super contributions to your super, they will be required to include the amount on your payment summary come tax time. You’re then required to include this amount on your tax return, but you won’t be charged tax on that amount. If you made any reportable personal concessional contributions, these will also need to be declared on your tax return.

What’s the difference between reportable and non-reportable super contributions?

Any non-concessional contributions (after tax) you make into super are not considered reportable since that money has already been taxed. The below contributions are considered reportable and non-reportable.

Reportable super contributions:

• Additional contributions as part of your salary package
• Salary sacrifice contributions
• Bonuses, lump sums and other employment payments directed to super
• Salary packaged super contributions

Non-reportable super contributions:

• Super guarantee contributions
• Contributions required by collectively negotiated industrial agreements
• Matching contributions under a collective agreement
• Contributions required by super fund rules or federal, state or territory law
• Extra contributions that the you could not influence, such as extra contributions for administrative simplicity or accepted employer policy
• Contributions from your after-tax income

If you want to learn more about making contributions to your super, you can find out more on our contribute to super page.

Before joining Australian Retirement Trust, consider the potential loss of insurance and other benefits that you may have in your other funds. The information contained on this website is general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial circumstances or needs. You should consider your own objectives, financial circumstances and needs, before making a decision about the financial product. Also, think about where your future employer contributions will be paid. You should consider the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination before deciding whether to acquire, or continue to hold the product. For more information or financial advice from Australian Retirement Trust, call us on 13 11 84.