What is the low income super tax offset (LISTO)?
The LISTO is a payment the Australian Government makes to your super if you earn $37,000 or less a year and your super receives contributions.
Before-tax payments made to your super account – including salary sacrifice and employer contributions – are taxed at 15%. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) refunds up to $500 of that tax back into your account (if you're eligible).
How much LISTO could you get?
You can work out how much you might get back using the ATO's LISTO calculator.
The LISTO is 15% of the before-tax super contributions you or your employer made for the year, so the maximum you can get is $500 and the minimum is $10.
Here's how LISTO works if you're earning $37,000 a year or less:
| Before-tax contributions | Tax paid | LISTO refund |
|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $750 | $500 |
| $4,000 | $600 | $500 |
| $3,000 | $450 | $450 |
| $2,000 | $300 | $300 |
| $1,000 | $150 | $150 |
| $500 | $75 | $75 |
Source: ATO LISTO Calculator. Accurate as at 9 January 2023.
How to claim the LISTO
Check you're eligible
You must meet all the rules below to get the low income super tax offset:
Your super fund has your TFN
Your taxable income for the year is $37,000 or less
You or your employer make before-tax contributions to your super during the year, including your employer's SG contributions
At least 10% of your income is from employment, business, or both
You didn't have a temporary resident visa during the year (except for New Zealand citizens in Australia).
Get your payment
All you need to do is check your super account is set up before you lodge your tax return.
Make sure we have your tax file number in Member Online, because we can't receive the LISTO payment from the government without it.
To claim the LISTO, you only need to lodge your tax return for the year.
If you're eligible and we have your TFN, you'll get the payment directly into your account.
It takes up to 14 months for the LISTO to reach your super, and you can look for it in Member Online or your annual statement.
FAQs about the LISTO
Is LISTO the same as the low income super contribution (LISC)?
The low income super tax offset (LISTO) replaced the low income super contribution (LISC) in 2017, and it has the same features, helping low-income earners with their tax.
The last year that contributions were eligible for the LISC was 2016-17.
What's included in my taxable income?
It's the income you would normally get taxed on, plus fringe benefits, foreign income, investment losses, tax-free pensions or government benefits, and reportable super contributions minus any child support.
Any super you've withdrawn for the First Home Super Saver scheme doesn't count as income.
What if I don't need to do a tax return?
Don't worry, if you don't need to lodge a tax return for the year but you make before-tax contributions to your super, the ATO says you'll still get the LISTO. (As long as at least 10% of your income is from employment, business, or both.)
Super funds like us send contributions reports to the ATO, so they'll know how much of an offset you can get.
Can I get a low-income tax offset for super contributions if I'm retired?
If you've reached the age you can access your super and are retired, you can apply to have your LISTO paid directly to you. Find out more on the ATO website.
Are there limits on low income super contributions?
Making extra contributions to your super is a great way to grow your retirement savings, but there are limits to how much you can add. Too much can mean extra tax, so it pays to know the super contribution caps.
Any other tips for my super as a low-income earner?
If you're a low-income earner, you may not get any tax benefits from salary sacrificing, so it's worth exploring your options.
- Consider making after-tax contributions, which could make you eligible for a super co-contribution from the Australian Government.
- If you have a partner who earns more than you, find out about spouse contributions and splitting super contributions.
You can also make your super do more by checking out what we include in your membership:
- Get personal financial advice about your super with us
- Explore our online education hub
- Subscribe to our podcast
- Save money with our member discounts and rewards
Great, what do I do next?
Check your account
Log on to Member Online to make sure we have your TFN, and to check if you've received a LISTO payment.
Earn an extra super bonus
See if you can get even more back from the government with the co-contribution on personal super contributions.