Benefits of super tax deductions
If you pay after-tax money to your super (a personal/voluntary contribution), you may be able to claim a tax deduction for it. Depending how much you earn, it's a great way to save on tax if you're not able to salary sacrifice.
Pay less tax
Claiming a tax deduction lowers your taxable income – so depending on your income, you could pay less tax.
Great long-term benefits
Generally, you'd pay less tax on investment earnings inside super compared to other investments.
How to claim super contributions as a tax deduction
It's easy to claim a tax deduction on money you add to your super. You need to make a personal contribution and tell us you want to claim a deduction before 30 June or before you lodge your tax return, whichever is earlier.
Follow these steps
Log in and add money to your super
Make an after-tax voluntary contribution (also called a personal super contribution) in Member Online or by BPAY before 30 June. (If using BPAY, check bank processing times.)
Tell us you want to claim
Log in to Member Online and fill in your claim for a tax deduction, or send us the ATO's paper form, leaving 7–10 business days for postage.
Wait to hear from us
Wait for us to let you know we've processed your request.
Add it to your tax return
When you do your tax return, list the amount you're claiming as personal superannuation contributions in the Individual tax return supplement. Find out more.
Log in to Member Online and claim
How super tax affects your tax deduction
Although you made the contributions from your after-tax pay, when you tell us you want to claim a tax deduction, your super fund reclassifies them as before-tax (concessional) contributions.
This means you pay the 15% super tax on your contribution. (An exception is the ATO charges 30% if your income plus super is more than $250,000/year.)
So the benefit of claiming a tax deduction on your super contributions depends on your normal tax rate, and how much your contribution would be reduced by super tax. This means it might not be right for everyone.
Find out more about tax and your super.
Here’s a simple example
If you add $10,000 to your super and want to claim a tax deduction, the super tax of 15% takes $1,500 off, meaning you've added $8,500 to your super balance.
By claiming a tax deduction for it, you'll lower your taxable income, which can mean you pay less income tax.
See what your tax return could look like after claiming any tax deductions.
MoneySmart's Income Tax Calculator
Find out roughly how much tax you've paid for the year, not counting deductions.
See the difference in the 2023–24 tax rate based on income...
| Your income | Income tax rate (ATO) | Super tax rate |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $18,200 | 0% | 15% |
| $18,201 – $45,000 | 19% on amount over $18,200 | 15% |
| $45,001 – $120,000 | $5,092, plus 32.5% on amount over $45,000 | 15% |
| $120,001 – $180,000 | $29,467, plus 37% on amount over $120,000 | 15% |
| $180,001 and over | $51,667, plus 45% on amount over $180,000 | 15% - 30% |
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim a super tax deduction at any age?
If you're aged from 67 up to 75 years old, you need to meet the work test or work test exemption to claim a tax deduction. Once you're over 75, you can't make contributions that you could claim a tax deduction on. Find out more.
Are super contributions tax-deductible?
You can claim a tax deduction for any personal/voluntary after-tax super contributions, such as adding money from your bank account to your super account.
You can't claim a tax deduction:
- On before-tax (concessional) contributions (e.g. salary sacrifice contributions or your employer's SG contributions)
- On First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) amounts or COVID-19 withdrawals you've re-contributed to your super
- On downsizer contributions
- On spouse contributions (because you already get a tax offset for it)
- If you've started a retirement income product
- If the money is no longer in your account (e.g. if you've withdrawn it or switched super funds)
- If the contribution was a transfer/rollover from another fund (including foreign pension funds)
- If you want to receive the government's super co-contribution for low income earners.
Should I claim a tax deduction for personal super contributions?
It depends on your personal circumstances, so it's always a good idea to get financial advice.
For example, if someone earns less than $58,445 for the year and makes a voluntary contribution, they'll automatically get the government's super co-contribution unless they claim a tax deduction. So they have to decide which of those would be more helpful.
Of course, if you can't claim a tax deduction this financial year, there are many other ways you can grow your super.
Are employer super contributions tax-deductible?
Generally, employer super contributions won't be the tax-deductible type of contribution.
For example, the SG contributions your employer has to make are not tax-deductible.
And if you salary sacrifice to your super through your employer, these are not tax-deductible because they are before-tax payments.
However, with some employers such as the Queensland Government, you make standard member contributions through your employer. These could be tax-deductible, unless you have a Defined Benefit account. Find out more.
Are spouse super contributions tax-deductible?
No, contributions to your spouse's super account are not tax-deductible, but there is a tax offset you might be able to claim.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can claim a tax offset. The amount of the offset depends on your partner's income and how much you pay to their super.
How much super can I claim as a tax deduction?
There's no limit on how much you can claim as a super tax deduction. But there are limits on how much you can add to your super each year. If you add more than those limits, you may pay extra tax.
Get started today
Make a contribution
Make a personal super contribution now using your BPAY details from Member Online.
Claim your tax deduction
Check your total personal super contributions and claim your tax deduction in Member Online.