Government co-contribution scheme of $1000 or $500
The Government co-contribution is a payment the Government makes to your SMSF if you earn less than $61,920 and you make non-concessional (voluntary after-tax) contributions to your SMSF. In 2012 is was a dollar-for-dollar contribution up to $1000 and in 2013 ot is 50 cents in the dollar up to $500.
Eligibility
You are eligible for the co-contribution if you lodge a tax return, is under the age of 71 and earn less than $61,920 (best if its under $31k).
How is the co-contribution calculated?
The co-contribution amount depends on:
- the personal after-tax contributions in the SMSF (up to $1000)
- your personal taxable income for the financial year ending 30 June
To get the full government co-contribution, your taxable income must be less than $31,920 for the year and the co-contribution phases out at $61,920. To see how the co-contribution tapers off between $31k and $61k, click here.
Non-concessional contributions
You can make personal after-tax contributions any time before the end of the financial year. When we lodged the SMSF tax return the tax office will match your non-concessional contribution (after tax contribution) to your taxable income. If you are entitled to a co-contribution, based on the criteria as set out above, you will receive a co-contribution cheque from the ATO.
Some Examples
To see some examples on how this works, see the examples provided by the ATO on the ATO website by clicking here.
ATO Follow-up
When Superannuation Warehouse handles your SMSF, we can’t see the co-contribution on your personal taxation account. You can phone the ATO on 13 10 20 and then do fast code 2 2 2 to go directly to the co-contributions area to follow up on outstanding co-contributions.
Children in a SMSF receiving the co-contribution
There is no minimum age to receive the co-contribution. If your child submits a tax return, has taxable income and do a government co-contribution, the child will receive a co-contribution.
Just remember for minors not to exceed their income by $3,334 for salary they earn or higher than $416 for trust distributions income as high tax rates apply for minors in excess of these amounts.