- 08/05/2018
- Posted by: Hostify Support
- Category: Economics, Federal Budget, Legislation
The government announced a seven-year Personal Income Tax Plan in it’s budget
What’s changing?
After weeks of speculation, treasurer Scott Morrison has confirmed a range of income tax cuts for Australian workers in tonight’s federal budget under a seven-year Personal Income Tax Plan. The plan will provide immediate tax offsets to working Australians, and will remove the 37% tax bracket completely by the year 2024-25.
The plan consists of three phases: immediate relief to low and middle income earners, protecting against bracket creep and making personal taxes simpler and flatter.
Who will this affect?
Immediate relief to low and middle income earners
The first of the changes involves personal tax offsets for low and middle income earners. If you’re earning less than $37,000 annually you’re set to receive a tax offset of up to $200. Those earning between $37,001 – $47,999 will receive a tax offset between $200 and $500. The biggest offset will be available for people earning between $48,000 – $90,000 who will be eligible for an offset of up to $530. This offset will gradually reduce the more you earn, with those earning $125,330 or more not eligible for an offset.
It’s important to note that this tax offset is in addition to the existing Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), which acts as a form of tax deduction for low and middle income earners. Currently the maximum offset that can be applied is $445 a year for those earning $37,000 or less. This offset gradually decreases by 1.5 cents for every dollar over $37,000 until you earn above $66,667 when you are no longer able to apply the LITO.
Protecting against bracket creep and Making personal taxes simpler and flatter
The government will also extend the tax brackets gradually over the next seven years until the 37% bracket is phased out completely. This will ensure less Australians are penalised for receiving a pay rise by having to move into the higher tax bracket.
For example, if you’re currently earning $85,000 and earn a pay rise that brings your salary up to $95,000, you’d be pushed into the higher tax bracket and have to pay $19,822 plus 37 cents for each dollar above $87,000. However, under the proposed changes to be implemented by 2024, you’d remain within the lower tax bracket much longer.
The current tax brackets and projected tax brackets by the year 2024 are outlined in the tables below.
Current tax rates for Australian residents for the 2017-18 financial year
| Taxable income | Tax on this income |
|---|---|
| 0 – $18,200 | Nil |
| $18,201 – $37,000 | 19c for each $1 over $18,200 |
| $37,001 – $87,000 | $3,572 plus 32.5c for each $1 over $37,000 |
| $87,001 – $180,000 | $19,822 plus 37c for each $1 over $87,000 |
| $180,001 and over | $54,232 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000 |
Planned tax brackets for Australian residents by the 2024-25 financial year
| Taxable income | Tax on this income |
|---|---|
| 0 – $18,200 | Nil |
| $18,201 – $41,000 | 19c for each $1 over $18,200 |
| $41,001 – $200,000 | $3,572 plus 32.5c for each $1 over $37,000 |
| Phased out | Phased out |
| $200,001 and over | $54,232 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000 |
When will the changes happen?
The changes will be rolled out over a period of seven years, starting with the personal income tax offsets next year. Australians will be able to apply for the income tax offset when lodging their tax returns in the 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 financial years. The tax offset will be received as a lump sum offset, reducing the amount of tax owed or increasing your tax refund.
The changes to the tax brackets will be gradually rolled out over the next seven years, until the 37% tax bracket is completely gone by 2024.
I hope the budget brought something positive for you.
cheers,
Nick