Division 293 Tax Calculator

Calculate the extra 15% super tax that applies when your income plus concessional contributions exceed $250,000.

Division 293 Tax
$0
Combined Income
$0
Div 293 Taxable Amount
$0
Standard Super Tax (15%)
$0
Effective Super Tax Rate
Ad Unit — Leaderboard (728×90)

How Division 293 Tax Works

Division 293 is an extra 15% tax on concessional super contributions for high-income earners. It was introduced to reduce the tax concession available to those earning over $250,000, ensuring they pay at least 30% on their super contributions instead of the standard 15%.

The $250,000 Threshold

Division 293 applies when your income for surcharge purposes plus your low-tax concessional contributions exceed $250,000. Income for this purpose includes:

  • Taxable income (including salary, business income, rental income)
  • Reportable fringe benefits total
  • Total net investment losses
  • Reportable employer super contributions (salary sacrifice amounts)

Calculating the Tax

The tax is 15% on the lesser of:

  • Your total concessional contributions, or
  • The amount by which your combined income exceeds $250,000

For example: income of $260,000 and contributions of $27,600 — combined = $287,600, which is $37,600 over $250,000. The Div 293 taxable amount is min($27,600, $37,600) = $27,600. Tax = $27,600 × 15% = $4,140.

Is Salary Sacrifice Still Worth It?

Yes, for most high-income earners. Even at a 30% effective super tax, those on the 37% or 45% marginal rate save 7% or 15% respectively compared to receiving the income. The break-even point is only if you could invest the funds personally at equivalent returns with lower tax — which is rarely the case given super's long-term compounding and eventual tax-free retirement benefits.

Ad Unit — In-content (300×250)

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I receive my Division 293 assessment?
The ATO issues your Division 293 assessment after processing your tax return and receiving contribution information from your super fund. This typically occurs within a few months of lodging your return. You'll receive a notice of assessment with a due date for payment.
Can I elect to pay Div 293 from my super fund?
Yes. When you receive your Div 293 assessment, you can elect to have the amount released from your super fund. The ATO sends a release authority to your fund, which must release the funds within a specified timeframe. Many people choose this option to preserve personal cash flow.
Does Division 293 apply to defined benefit funds?
Division 293 applies to defined benefit funds, but the calculation method differs. The taxable contributions amount is calculated differently for defined benefit interests, and in some cases the tax can exceed what can be released from the fund, requiring personal payment.
Do salary sacrifice contributions push me over the $250,000 threshold?
Yes. Reportable employer super contributions (salary sacrifice amounts) count as income for the Division 293 threshold test. If your base income is $230,000 and you sacrifice $25,000, your combined amount for Div 293 purposes is $255,000 — $5,000 over the threshold.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on the 2024–25 Division 293 tax rules. Income for Div 293 purposes may include amounts beyond taxable income (such as reportable fringe benefits). Defined benefit fund calculations differ. This is not financial or tax advice. Consult a tax adviser for your specific circumstances.
Ad Unit — Bottom (728×90)