Budget 2021.22 - Winners and Losers
Last night’s budget was focused on spending and the following is a quick analysis of what it means for you.
Super
Employees who earn less than $450 a month will be paid the superannuation guarantee
This change will mainly impact women, people in the gig economy and low income earners
This is yet to pass through Parliament so the date this will take effect is not yet confirmed. See our earlier blog post on the changes that are being made.
The superannuation guarantee rate paid by employers is also increasing from 9.5% to 10% starting on 1 July 2021.
Be prepared to review employee contracts and communicate with staff or employers about how this change affects you.
Super Older Australians
individuals aged 67 to 74 years (inclusive) to make or receive non-concessional (including under the bring-forward rule) or salary sacrifice superannuation contributions without needing to meet the work test.
The downsizer contribution allows eligible individuals to make a one-off, post-tax contribution to their superannuation of up to $300,000 per person from the proceeds of selling their home.
Women
Last year the government was criticised for the lack of empathy and support for women impacted by Covid. This year there have been a number of reforms however it is interesting that childcare is included under Women’s issues.
Health - $354 million for women's health
Domestic Violence - over the next 4 years $998 million will go towards reducing domestic and family violence, and survivor support
Investment in women’s participation in education and training
10,000 single parents who have dependent children will be offered a new trial scheme which provides assistance to buy a home with as little as a 2 per cent deposit. There will be caps on the property price and applicants will need to prove they can make the repayments
Streamlined court process and lawyer-assisted mediation services for couples separating which should reduce the cost outlays of a marriage breakdown
Unfortunately, there is still no requirement to pay superannuation on paid parental leave. This would help increase the amount of super women have.
Removing the $10,560 cap on the childcare subsidy.
Providing families with two or more children a 30% increase in the subsidy for their second and subsequent children. This will cap at a maximum of 95% of fees paid.
These measures are expected to support approximately 250,000 families.
Self-Education Expenses
The Government has announced that it will remove the exclusion of the first $250 of deductions for prescribed courses of education
Low and Middle Income Tax Offset
Will remain in place for another year
The tax rebate, receive after completing their tax returns, is worth different amounts to different income groups.
Wage Offset
$37,000 or less $225
Between $37,001 & $48,000 $255 plus 7.5 cents/dollar above $37,000 up to a max of $1,080
Between $48,001 & $90,000 $1,080
Between $90,001 & $126,000 $1,080 minus three cents/dollar of the amount above $90,000
Medicare Levy
Medicare levy low-income thresholds will be increased for singles, families, and seniors and pensioners from 1 July 2020
The changes to the Medicare low income thresholds are as follows:
Medicare low-income threshold Threshold as at 30 June 2020 Threshold from 1 July 2020
Singles $22,801 $23,226
Families $38,474 $39,167
Single – seniors and pensioners $36,056 $36,705
Family — seniors and pensioners $50,191 $51,094
Family — each dependent child or student $3,533 $3,597
The increases to the thresholds take account of recent movements in the CPI so that low-income taxpayers generally continue to be exempt from paying the Medicare levy.
Young People
Government's apprenticeship wage subsidy scheme to be extended (cost $2.7 billion) to create 170,000 new positions
For young people who don't want to skill up or not interested in an apprenticeship, there's little in the budget
Instant Asset Write Off
Extend the temporary full expensing of depreciating assets measure for 12 months until 30 June 2023
Full expensing the cost in the year of first use will apply to new depreciable assets and the cost of improvements to existing eligible assets.
For small and medium-sized businesses, full expensing also applies to second-hand assets.
Environment
Renewables missed out
Ocean protection package $100M
Pilot programs for environmental protection on private land