Income tax in Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Broadly, Australia levies tax on three sources of income for individual taxpayers: personal earnings (for example, salary and wages), business income, and capital gains. Income received by individuals is taxed at progressive rates. Income derived by companies is taxed at a flat rate of 30%. Generally, capital gains are only subject to tax at the time the gain is realized.
Income tax on personal income is a progressive income tax. The current tax-free threshold is AUD6,000 and the highest marginal rate for individuals is 45% (plus medicare levy).
As with many other countries, income taxes are withheld from wages and salaries in Australia, often resulting in refunds payable to taxpayers. A nine-digit Tax File Number must be quoted to employers for employees to have withholdings calculated using the various tax brackets. In the absence of this number employers are required to withhold tax at the highest marginal rate from the first dollar. Likewise, banks must also withhold the highest marginal rate of income tax on interest earned on bank accounts if the individual does not provide their tax file number to the bank. Corporate and business taxpayers are required to provide their tax file number or "Australian Business Number" to the bank, otherwise the bank will be required to withhold income tax at the highest rate of tax. It is not an offence to fail to provide a bank or financial institution with a tax file number of Australian Business Number, however the bank or financial institution will be required to withhold income tax at the highest marginal rate of income tax.
The company tax rate is a flat 30%, though through the Dividend imputation system Australian residents effectively do not pay this company income tax upon the profits distributed as dividends Australian-resident corporations. When an Australian corporation pays corporate income tax, 'franking credits' are generated and can then be applied to dividend payments at a maximum rate of 30 cents per dollar of dividend. Shareholders may then use these credits to offset their own personal income tax payable, including claiming a refund for excess credits left over after offsetting all payable income tax.
Capital gains tax in Australia is part of the income tax system rather than a separate tax. Net capital gains (after concessions are applied) are included in a taxpayer's taxable income and taxed at marginal rates.
In 1999 indexation on capital gains ceased and subsequently gains on assets held for more than one year are usually reduced by a discount of 50% for individuals, and 33% for superannuation funds. However, in some cases where an indexed cost base applies (where an asset was acquired before indexation ceased) applying the old indexation rules gives a better tax result. Capital gains realised by companies are not discounted. Capital gains made by trust structures are usually taxed as if they were made in the hands of the ultimate beneficiary, though there are exceptions.
Income Tax Rates 2005-06 - excluding Family Tax Benefit[1]
| Taxable income | Tax on this income |
|---|---|
| $0 – $6,000 | Nil |
| $6,001 – $21,000 | 15c for each $1 over $6,000 |
| $21,601 - $63,000 | $2,340 plus 30c for each $1 over $21,600 |
| $63,001 – $95,000 | $14,760 plus 42c for each $1 over $63,000 |
| Over $95,000 | $28,200 plus 47c for each $1 over $95,000 |
The Medicare levy applies to certain thresholds[2]
Income Tax Rates 2006-07 - excluding Family Tax Benefit[3]
| Taxable income | Tax on this income |
|---|---|
| $0 – $6,000 | Nil |
| $6,001 – $25,000 | 15c for each $1 over $6,000 |
| $25,001 - $75,000 | $2,850 plus 30c for each $1 over $25,000 |
| $75,001 – $150,000 | $17,850 plus 40c for each $1 over $75,000 |
| Over $150,000 | $47,850 plus 45c for each $1 over $150,000 |
The Medicare levy applies to certain thresholds[2]
[edit] Family Tax Benefit
For families with dependent children the income tax system includes a supplementary set of rules known as Family Tax Benefits (FTB) that are applied in a more complex way. The benefits and thresholds for FTB vary depending on the number of children and which of the married partners earns the additional income. There are two key components relating to total family income (FTB-A) and relating to the income of the lower income earner (FTB-B). In essence low income families receive a government benefit of around $6000 per annum per child and this benefit is phased out at varing rates depending on whether extra income is earned by the higher or the lower income earner. The combined phase out rate varies between 20% and 50% (combining part A and part B). The total effective marginal tax rates for families (once these benefit phase outs are combined with the normal rates of tax on income) are often as high as 75%. In essence for some families out of each additional dollar they earn they are only allowed to retain 25 cents. The impact of Family Tax Benefit thresholds generally effect all families with a combined income under $100,000 but also effect many families with higher incomes.
The work disincentive effect of the high effective marginal tax rates produced by the Family Tax Benefit rules have been widely criticised in the media as well as by opposition parties and even on occasion by actual members of the government.
[edit] References
- ^ Taken from the ATO website
- ^ a b The Medicare levy can be calculated at this website
- ^ Taken from Federal Government Budget website
