There were no changes announced to individual income tax rates in the 2022–2023 Federal Budgetⁱ. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of the one-off payments to help to offset the increased cost of living.

A number of factors are putting upward pressure on the cost of living in Australia, including the pandemic, conflict in the Ukraine and extreme weather events across the country.

Over the last 12 months, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) – the percentage change in the price of a basket of goods and services consumed by a household – has grown to 5.1% pa, compared to 1.1% pa in the previous 12 monthsⁱⁱ. Essentially, this means everyday expenses are on the rise.

The Federal Budgetⁱⁱⁱ, released on 29 March 2022, announced steps to support Australian households, through measures including a cut to the fuel excise, extended relief for retirees and a one-off cost of living payment to millions of Australians. It also includes increased flexibility for young families and retirees.  
 

Low, medium and fixed-income taxpayers

The latest Budget has offered three tax-saving measures for those who need them the most:
 

LMITO increases -

An offset or rebate reduces your amount of tax payable – a pure reduction in your tax bill. Australia’s low and middle-income tax offset (LMITO) benefits individuals making less than $126,000. Payable from 1 July 2022, individuals will now be able to offset up to $1500 via their tax return, an increase of $420 from $1080. This is a one-off increase^iv.
 

Medicare levy exemption -

The Medicare levy is a 2% pa levy that most Australians pay above their normal income tax, to support the medical system^v. While low-income taxpayers continue to be exempt from paying the Medicare levy, the threshold for this exemption has increased slightly. That’s good news at tax time for those whose incomes are approaching the exemption limit.
 

One-time $250 cost of living payment

Individuals have been given a tax-free payment of $250 if they receive specified social security payments or concession cards^iv. This includes retirees and those of working age. This is a cost of living payment for those who can least afford current inflation pressures, and has no impact on your tax return.  
 

Superannuation minimum withdrawal temporary reductions

Anyone drawing on their super to provide an income is obliged to withdraw at least a minimum percentage of their remaining balance each year. That percentage increases with age. In years when markets are down, this can have a negative impact on their remaining balance, and many retirees may prefer to weather the storm and hold their super investments rather than sell them.

In recognition of high market volatility, the Government has reduced the minimum thresholds this year. Retirees are not required to draw down their super funds as quickly as they normally would^vii. Bottom line – this year you have the choice to cut back and ride out (potentially) stormy markets. To decide what to do, consider the cost of selling your super investments at a loss versus your ability to live off less income than you would normally be allowed to draw.
 

Paid parental leave flexibility

Retirees aren’t the only ones with more options thanks to Budget changes this year. Young families with a newborn or recently adopted child have a wider range of decisions to make. 

Parental Leave Pay is a guaranteed Government payment for a specified period of time, providing one or both parents with a minimum wage following the birth of a child^viii.

The previous scheme gave one parent up to 18 weeks’ paid leave, and the other parent/carer up to two weeks. The new scheme provides a pool of 20 weeks to allocate and the parents get to choose who takes the leave.

In addition, the full household income^ix now counts towards the income qualification.

As you consider the right mix of paid parental leave between partners in your family, remember anyone who takes leave will have their income reduced to the minimum wage for that period, but this reduction will come with a commensurate lower tax bill this end of financial year (EOFY).
 

First-time home buyers

The Government provides a limited number of home mortgage guarantees enabling a first-time home-buyer to avoid paying commercial lenders’ mortgage insurance. In another expression of support for young families, the Government is expanding the first-time Home Guarantee Scheme from 1 July 2022. There will be 35,000 annual guarantees available (up from 10,000), plus an additional 10,000 regional home guarantees for qualifying properties and 5000 more for qualifying families^x.
 

Fuel excise reduction

The biggest CPI increase in the year ending December 2021 was fuel, with prices growing 11% pa over the previous 12 months^xi. Since then, fuel prices have spiked to record highs across the country – the Australian Institute of Petroleum estimates they rose nearly 25% pa between April 2021 and April 2022^xii.

It’s a noticeable hit to many hip pockets, and the Government has responded by cutting fuel excise (customs duty rates) until 28 September 2022. This represents immediate savings in the amount of 22 cents per litre – or $300 for an average household over a six month period^xiii.

If you’re someone who deducts fuel costs, and you were counting on a much larger deduction due to much higher fuel prices, then there’s good news and bad news – you may not have to pay as much for fuel as you expected, but that means you won’t be deducting as much. Your tax bill may be a bit more than you budgeted.
 

Knowledge is power

As always, EOFY tax time is an opportunity to consider not only your best strategies for refund, but your overall financial position. This year, the Government’s Budget changes, properly understood, give you the option to improve both.
 

©AWM Services Pty Ltd. First published May 2022