In this guide
Key points about claiming a tax deduction for personal contributions:
- Current annual cap: Personal contributions you claim as a deduction are concessional contributions, counted towards the annual concessional cap ($32,500 in 2026–27).
- Tax treatment: Most concessional contributions are taxed at 15%. Higher-income earners may also pay Division 293 tax.
- Eligibility: Aged below 67 years old, or aged 67 to 74 and meeting the work test. Under 18s at the end of the financial year must have income from employment or running a business.
- Contributing more: Eligible people can carry forward any unused concessional contributions cap amounts from the previous five financial years.
- How it works: Make a contribution to super from your own money, then claim a tax deduction for it.
- Important deadlines: Contributions must be made before your 75th birthday or within 28 days after the end of the month you turn 75. The notice of intent must be lodged before you complete your tax return, or by the following 30 June, whichever comes first.
If you’ve got cash to spare and would like to boost your retirement savings, then making a tax-deductible super contribution is a great way to get the maximum bang for your buck.
Yes, that’s right. You can boost your super and get a tax deduction to sweeten the deal. But as with everything to do with super, there are rules and limits to the government’s generosity.
For starters, you can’t claim a tax deduction for super contributions your employer makes on your behalf. This includes your employer’s compulsory Super Guarantee and any reportable contributions above this amount, including any salary-sacrifice arrangements you may have.
You also can’t claim deductions for rollover payments from another fund, including foreign funds.
So what are tax-deductible super contributions?
Tax-deductible super contributions are contributions you make from your after-tax income for which you claim a tax deduction. This income may be from a variety of sources such as your take-home pay, savings, an inheritance or from the sale of assets.
Making a personal tax-deductible contribution can be a great way to offset capital gains you make on assets held outside super.
Read more about managing capital gains with deductible contributions.
Whatever the source, you can make a payment to your super fund from your bank account either as a one-off payment or a periodic direct debit.
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