Labor's tax plans could favour the rich, analysis shows
Labor's plans for excess dividend imputation credits will favour the rich despite claims it is targeting wealthy Australians, according to specialist analysis.
If elected, Labor plans to end cash refunds for excess dividend imputation credits, with exemptions for pensioners and SMSFs with at least one pensioner or allowance recipient before 28 March this year.
Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen has framed the policy as one that targets the wealthy, but general manager for technical services and education at SuperConcepts, Peter Burgess, has found flaws in this assertion.
“It seems to me that this measure could actually allow the rich to accumulate more in super,” Mr Burgess told SMSF Adviser.
“Transferring some of their pension balance to the accumulation phase may allow them to use all of their franking credits. The effect will be more retained in super for longer, as they can draw down super from accumulation phase when they need it rather than being forced to take the minimum pension each year,” he said.
Further, ongoing associations with SMSFs and the wealthy is a “fallacy,” Mr Burgess said.
For one, ATO statistics show that the SMSF median member balance is about $350,000 and the average member balance reported by funds established in 2016 was $204,000.
“So this revised measure will still eventually end up impacting many thousands of members with moderate superannuation savings,” Mr Burgess said.
“The growth of the SMSF sector has been a huge success story in terms of increasing member engagement and allowing individuals to take control of their own retirement savings. It’s unclear, at least to me, why we would want to penalise future generations who want to do the same,” he said.
Broadly, in professional communities, the policy has been knocked back as one that is not fit for purpose or fair to retirees.
On grounds of equity for SMSF members, The SMSF Association argued the sector has already had its concessions adjusted, and this policy would represent another blow to those who have structured their arrangements under current law and in good faith.
“The transfer balance cap is limiting excess franking credits that would have been paid to SMSF members with large balances. Under the new transfer balance cap rules, SMSF members with more than $1.6 million will be paying tax on some of their earnings that will offset the value of their franking credits, limiting their refunds,” said chief executive John Maroney yesterday.
By: Katarina Taurian
29 MARCH 2018
www.accountantsdaily.com.au
Hot Issues
- FBT Reminder – Odometer Reading
- ATO’s debts on hold campaign prompts new IGTO guidance
- A comprehensive collection of small business benchmarks
- The 2025 Financial Year tax & super changes you need to know!
- Underperforming employees: When can you terminate?
- A comprehensive list of guides to industry specific tax deductions.
- ‘Renewed concerns’ about economy sees consumer sentiment dip: Westpac
- Oldest Buildings in the World.
- Small businesses may ‘collapse under strain of payday super’, IPA warns
- ATO’s hands tied with scrapping on-hold debts, expert says
- What Drives Your Business Growth and Profits?
- Australian Taxation Office (ATO) shifting to firmer debt collection activity
- Why employee v contractor comes down to fine print
- Sharing economy reporting regime for platform operators
- Countries producing the most solar power by gigawatt hours
- Illegal access nets $637 million
- Accessing superannuation benefits.
- Does your business have a company Power of Attorney?
- Labor tweaks stage 3 tax cuts to make room for ‘middle Australia’
- GrantConnect
- 2 in 3 SMEs benefit from instant asset write-off, survey reveals
- Updated guidance on R&D claims
- Do you know how to recover debts?
- Wheat Production by Country
- Types of small business benchmarks
- What is a Commercial Lease?
- Vimeo test
Article archive
- January - March 2024
- October - December 2023
- July - September 2023
- April - June 2023
- January - March 2023
- October - December 2022
- July - September 2022
- April - June 2022
- January - March 2022
- October - December 2021
- July - September 2021
- April - June 2021
- January - March 2021
- October - December 2020
- July - September 2020
- April - June 2020
- January - March 2020
- October - December 2019
- July - September 2019
- April - June 2019
- January - March 2019
- October - December 2018
- July - September 2018
- April - June 2018
- January - March 2018
- October - December 2017
- July - September 2017
- April - June 2017
- January - March 2017
- October - December 2016
- July - September 2016
- April - June 2016
- January - March 2016
- October - December 2015
- July - September 2015
- April - June 2015
- January - March 2015
- October - December 2014
April - June 2018 archive
- Touch Payroll (STP)
- ‘Calm before the storm’: Government proposes 12-month SG amnesty
- Government intensifies cash payments crackdown - Kelly O'Dwyer
- Passive investment companies tax rate still 30%
- Cryptocurrency audits tipped to increase this EOFY
- Australia by numbers – Update
- $2.4m lost to tax scams, ACCC reports
- No GST on digital currency
- Federal Budget 2018 - Overview
- Your Budget
- 4 components of our 2018 Federal Budget
- Resources to help understand and implement Single Touch Payroll (STP)
- New rules capture SMSFs trading big with cryptocurrency
- New passive income test for lower corporate tax rate
- Tools to help you manage your financial position are available on our site.
- ‘A simple mistake can attract our attention’: ATO reminder about FBT slips-ups
- Australia by numbers – Update
- Beware residency rules if moving overseas
- Meaningful tax reform in high demand
- Working holidaymakers and tax returns
- Single Touch Payroll – 1 April 2018 Action
- Property investors on notice after ATO spots false claims
- ATO issues update on cryptocurrency compliance traps
- Australia's vital statistics
- Accountants spy elder abuse spike as mortgage stress sets in
- Tax office releases fresh guidance on SMSFs
- Labor's tax plans could favour the rich, analysis shows
- FBT Reminder – Odometer Reading
What our clients say about us