Your Pay Has Gone Up – But Are You Actually Better Off?
A pay rise should feel like progress.
But when the cost of living is rising at the same time, it can sometimes feel as though the extra income disappears almost as quickly as it arrives.
For many professional women in their 40s and 50s, this can be particularly frustrating. You may be earning more than you were a few years ago, yet still feel as though your money isn’t stretching as far as it used to.
Part of the reason can be inflation. Another factor may be bracket creep—where an increase in income pushes more of your earnings into a higher tax bracket.
That doesn’t mean a pay rise isn’t valuable. It simply means it’s worth taking a closer look at how that extra income is being used.
Could some of it be directed towards super? Could you strengthen your long-term savings, reduce debt or invest more deliberately? And are there tax-effective strategies that could help you make better use of the income you’re already earning?
The goal isn’t to avoid tax at all costs. It’s to make thoughtful decisions about how your money is working for you today—and how it can help build the financial choices you want in the future.
So, what exactly is bracket creep?
Bracket creep occurs when increases in your income move more of your earnings into a higher marginal tax bracket. While your salary may be increasing, inflation can mean your real purchasing power hasn’t necessarily improved by the same amount.
However, you can avoid bracket creep by putting your earnings to work in a way that means they won’t be consumed by tax.
Here’s how:
Concessional super contributions
Shift some of your income from a higher marginal tax rate into the concessional superannuation environment, where it is taxed at 15%. You can do this by salary sacrifice via your employer or by making deductible personal contributions of no more than the concessional cap.
Company or trust structures
You may have the opportunity to receive income through a company or a family trust. Small to medium sized businesses (annual turnover of less than $50 million) are taxed at 25%. Family trusts can distribute income to family members on a lower tax rate. Be aware, though, of compliance costs and anti-avoidance rules.
Move income or expenses into a different year
Consultants, business owners and investors may be able to control the timing of taxable income and tax deductible expenses. Income could be deferred until the following year if you expect your income to fall. It’s also possible to claim current year deductions for some types of prepaid expenses.
Negative gearing
Rental property losses and the cost of borrowing to invest in shares can be offset against your employment income, in a situation known as ‘negative gearing’. This could lower your marginal tax rate.
However, negative gearing should not be your primary investment motive: prioritise long term returns such as capital gains.
Please be aware of the new legislation and its potential implications.
Capital gains timing
If your marginal tax rate is rising, it’s more important than ever to ensure that you qualify for the 50% capital gains tax discount by holding assets for longer than 12 months, or get a partial exemption for a rental property that was at some time your main residence. Spread asset disposals over several years if possible, ideally into years with lower income from other sources.
Please be aware of the new legislation and its potential implications.
Permitted income splitting
Although Australia, unlike some other countries, does not allow joint spouse tax returns, there are permitted ways to split income and thereby lower marginal tax rates, beyond the family trusts already mentioned. These include:
- Investing in the name of a lower income spouse.
- Paying your spouse a reasonable amount as a genuine working employee of your business, after obtaining financial advice about Personal Services Income (PSI) rules.
Tax offsets and rebates
Offsets and rebates don’t lower your marginal tax bracket but they do reduce the amount of tax you will pay. You may be able to claim an offset for making a contribution to your spouse’s super, as well as an income tested private health insurance rebate.
Tax effective benefits
If possible, negotiate tax effective benefits with your employer if you can afford to take them in lieu of taxable income increases. These might take the form of employer super contributions above the mandated 12% Super Guarantee rate or fringe benefits such as a company car (although this may increase your Medicare levy or affect your eligibility for other government rebates or benefits).
Stay informed about tax changes
Plan ahead by staying up to date on proposed tax threshold adjustments.
Get professional advice
Don’t be too alarmed if a pay rise puts you in a higher tax bracket. Remember that it’s only the marginal extra income that is taxed at a higher rate, not your entire salary. But you can take a strategic approach by getting professional financial advice to help you shift your income into lower tax environments and maximise the effect of your legitimate deductions.
For help avoiding bracket creep by putting your earnings to work in a way that means they won’t be consumed by tax, reach out to our team here.
References:
- https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super
- https://treasury.gov.au/review/tax-white-paper/negative-gearing
Source: Financial Writers Australia
