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Australian Taxation
Tax Rates Archive
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The Australian Taxation system is a similar system to the UK Tax system.
It is a combination of a Personal Income Tax (PAYE) and a Goods & Service Tax (similar to VAT).
GST
VAT was introduced in the UK in April 1973, at the single rate of 10%, (with 4
subsequent rate changes,
source) and has a current rate of 17.5%.
GST was introduced in Australia in July 2000,
and has been at the single rate of 10% since that date. Any future change
to the rate of GST in Australia would need the agreement of every Australian
State Government and the Federal Government.
Both countries had a previous tax system, Purchase Tax in the UK & Sales Tax in
Australia, and these were abolished and replaced with the new tax.
As with the UK, the rate of Personal Income tax was also reduced at the same
time that the GST was introduced.
MEDICARE LEVY
In a similar way to the UK "National Insurance Contributions", the Australian
system has a Medicare Levy charged to most taxpayers, to go towards the costs of
the Australian Medical System. The amount payable is however very
different to the UK.
The UK rate is 11% for the employee on the amount earned between the lower and
upper limits. Based on the the median weekly pay for full-time employees
in the UK in April 2007 being £457 pw, the employees NI contribution works out
at £39.27 or 8.6% of wage, and the employer paying £45.70, a total of £84.97 or
18.59% of the gross wage.
The Australian rate is 1.5% for people, but a slightly higher rate of 2.5% for
single people earning more than $50,000 AND who choose not to take out Private
Health insurance. This threshold is increased to $100,000 for a married
couple. In May 2007 the Average Full-time adult total weekly
earnings was $1,134.30 per week, ($58,983 pa) meaning that a single
person on this wage would pay $28.35 per week (2.5%), or $17.02 per week (1.5%)
if they had a Private Medical Insurance policy.
PAYROLL TAX
Australia also has a Payroll Tax, payable by most employers but with some
exceptions, and should be considered when the UK Employer NI payment is taken
into account. The Australian Payroll Tax is a STATE government tax, and as
such may be at different rates throughout Australia. The current rate in
QLD can be up to 4.75% (2007-08) but is only payable when the Companies TOTAL
wage bill is higher than $1,000,000 per year (Source:
http://www.osr.qld.gov.au/taxes/payroll/exempt.shtml)
Full legislation data for all States can be found at:
http://www.payrolltax.com.au
INCOME TAX
Every income earner in Australia should have a tax reference number, called a
Tax File Number, and when this is quoted to Employees and Banks (for interest
payments), etc., tax is deducted from income at the current rates. If a
Tax File Number (TFN) is not quoted, then tax is deducted at the maximum rate.
Every taxpayer must complete an Annual Tax Return, and this calculates any
differences in tax over or under paid. Some Non-Tax payers should also
complete an annual Tax Return, as they may be entitled to a rebate, even without
paying anything.
Most Australians end up paying more tax, during the year, than they should, due to various
allowances being only claimable at the end of the year, such as Sun Screen protection for
outside workers, and they end up receiving a Tax Rebate shortly after submitting
the Annual Tax Return. (This is often within 14 days).
Tax Rates for the year 2008/2009
are:
Taxable income |
Tax on this income |
$0 $6,000 |
Nil |
$6,001 $34,000 |
15c for each $1 over $6,000 |
$34,001 $80,000 |
$4,200 plus 30c for each $1 over $34,000 |
$80,001 $180,000 |
$18,000 plus 40c for each $1 over $80,000 |
Over $180,000 |
$58,000 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000 |
* Low income earners under $14,000
will pay no tax, due to the Low Income Tax Offset.
The above rates DO NOT includes the 1.5%
Medicare levy
The 2008 Budget also reveals that the TOP TAX RATE will DROP to 40% sometime
during the next two? years. This will significantly reduce the tax paid by
the very high earners.
Tax on the Feb 2008 (quoted for the 2007/08 tax rates) average wage of $1,173.50 per week,
works out at $236.65 and then with
the Medicare Levy of $17.60 gives a Net Pay of $919.25 per week. (21.67%
being deducted in Tax and Medicare) An extra $11.55 per week in the pocket
for the average wage earner.
Tax Rates for the year 2007/2008
are:
Taxable income |
Tax on this income |
$0 $6,000 |
Nil |
$6,001 $30,000 |
15c for each $1 over $6,000 |
$30,001 $75,000 |
$3,600 plus 30c for each $1 over $30,000 |
$75,001 $150,000 |
$17,100 plus 40c for each $1 over $75,000 |
Over $150,000 |
$47,100 plus 45c for each $1 over $150,000 |
* Low income earners under $11,000
will pay no tax, due to the Low Income Tax Offset.
The above rates DO NOT includes the 1.5%
Medicare levy
ABS data released on 21 February 2008 show full time adult total earnings,
(public & private sector) are $1,173.50 per week, or $61,002 per year.
Tax on that average wage of $1,173.50 per week, works out at $248.20 and then with
the Medicare Levy of $17.60 gives a Net Pay of $907.70 per week. (22.65%
being deducted in Tax and Medicare)
The 2007 Budget advised the following
- From 1 July 2007, the low income tax offset will increase to $750 per year and
the 30 per cent threshold will rise from $25,000 to $30,000.
-
From 1 July 2008, the 40 per cent threshold will increase to $80,000 and
the 45 per cent threshold will increase to $180,000.
Some Tax Statistics:
The Tax Office data shows that in 2005-06:
* Half of the nation's income tax bill was paid by the one in eight
taxpayers at the top of the income ladder (those declaring incomes of
$70,000 or more).
* Tax breaks for work-related expenses doubled in nine years to total $13
billion. Company cars were the biggest expense, with $5.2 billion of claims,
followed by clothing costs ($1.2 billion), work-related travel ($1.1
billion), and self-education ($834 million).
* The number of people filing returns but NOT PAYING TAX grew by 27% between
2000 and 2005, thanks to the rapidly growing number of tax offsets, which
were used to reduce taxable income by $15.4 billion.
But the number of people actually paying tax grew by less than 5%.
Source:
www.domain.com.au
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Tax Returns
The tax year end is 30th June, and if you prepare your own tax return it has to be lodged by
October 31. Any tax payable will not be due before November 21.
Using a Tax
Agent, to prepare and lodge your return, can extend that lodgement date, and the due date for payment will be
determined by their lodgement program, and will be printed on your notice of
assessment.
(Dates based on 2004/2005)
Tax On Children's Bank Interest
At what age can a child get a TFN? (Tax File Number)
A child can get a TFN at any age (there is no minimum age).
Children are not exempt from quoting a TFN.
Interest
If a child quotes their date of birth, they are entitled to a threshold of $420
per income year on interest. If they dont quote their date of birth, the
threshold is the same as the adult threshold of $120 per income year.
Where the total interest earned during an income year is $420 or more
if the child quotes a TFN the investment body will not withhold PAYG tax.
the child does NOT quote a TFN the investment body will withhold PAYG tax at
48.5%.
This applies to the total interest earned (not just the amount above $420, or
the payment period threshold equivalent).
If the child has had PAYG tax deducted, the child will need to lodge a return to
claim these amounts back from the Tax Office. A child who does not have a TFN
will need to get one before they can lodge a return.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 11 May 2005
The above information from:
Australian Tax Office
Overseas Investment Property
- Australian Taxable Income includes all your worldwide income, including
Profits from renting out a property overseas. A tax offset for foreign income tax paid is available.
- As from July 2008, any losses incurred from the
rental of property outside Australia can now be offset against Australian
Taxable Income.
Tax for Non Residents
If you are visiting Australia for more than six months and for
most of that time work in the one job and live at the same place you are
generally an Australian resident for tax purposes.
If you are holidaying in Australia, or are visiting for less than six
months you are generally NOT an Australian resident for tax purposes.
If you are a non-resident for the full year, the following rates apply:
Non Resident Tax rates 2007-08
| Taxable income |
Tax on this income |
| $0 $30,000 |
29c for each $1 |
| $30,001 $75,000 |
$8,700 plus 30c for each $1 over $30,000 |
| $75,001 $150,000 |
$22,200 plus 40c for each $1 over $75,000 |
| $150,001 and over |
$52,200 plus 45c for each $1 over $150,000 |
Non-residents are not required to pay the Medicare levy.
UK Tax
-
HM Revenue & Customs Centre for Non-Residents
is a very useful starting point for many aspects of UK tax once you are
no longer UK resident.
-
Individuals who are not ordinarily resident may
register with their building society, bank or other deposit taker to receive
interest without the deduction of tax. You can do this by completing declaration
form R105 and sending it to your building society, bank or
other deposit taker.
Reclaiming Tax paid in the UK during your last year.
Links
MEDICARE (Government Health Insurance)
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