Save for your retirement
Super can be a tax-effective way to save for your retirement.
To help you save for tomorrow, the Government usually takes less tax from super than from other types of investments or savings.
Super is taxed at three different stages
- When super goes into your account (contributions tax)
- From investment earnings before they are added to your account, and
- When you withdraw money from your account, if under age 60.
Why we need your tax file number
You can choose not to give us your tax file number (TFN), however if you do not give us your TFN:
- Your before-tax super contributions are taxed at a higher rate
- CBUS can’t accept your after-tax or personal contributions
- It may be harder to find any lost super or combine your super accounts.
Under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993, CBUS is authorised to collect your TFN, which will only be used for lawful purposes.
These purposes may change in the future as a result of legislative change. Your TFN may be shared with another super provider, when your benefits are being transferred, unless you request in writing that your TFN is not shared.
How to find your other super accounts
You can give CBUS search consent.
If you’ve had more than one job, you may have more than one super account. This means you could be paying more in fees than you need to. By combining your super into just one account, you can save fees and reduce the hassle of managing multiple accounts.
CBUS provides a free lookup service to help you find lost, unclaimed and other super accounts. Giving your permission allows us to use your TFN to do a search on your behalf, with other super funds and the ATO.
We’ll let you know if any other super accounts are held in your name.
Can I claim a super tax deduction?
You can apply to claim a tax deduction for personal payments you make to Cbus Super. To be eligible you need to meet a number of conditions.
For example you need to:
- Have made a personal contribution to super during a financial year
- Meet the age-related requirements (see below).
To make a claim:
- Notify CBUS by completing the Claim a tax deduction for personal contributions super form.
- Confirm CBUS has acknowledged the notice including the amount you intend to claim.
The personal contributions you claim as a tax deduction are treated as before-tax (concessional) contributions, so they contribute to your before-tax contributions cap. They're also no longer eligible for a Government co-contribution.
Satisfying the age requirements
- You must be between 18 and 75
- If you are aged between 67 and 75, you will need to meet the work test, or work test exemption.
- If you’re 75, you need to make your personal contribution no later than 28 days after the month of your 75th birthday.
- If you’re under 18 at the end of the financial year, you may still be eligible for a tax deduction if you have earned income as an employee or business operator in the same period as your claim.
Notification deadlines
You’ll need to let us know you’re going to claim a tax deduction before:
- You fully withdraw or transfer funds from your CBUS account (including commencing an income stream account). You may not be able to claim the full amount if you lodge the notice with us after making a partial withdrawal or rollover.
- The day you lodge your income tax return with the ATO for the financial year in which the contribution was made
- The end of the financial year following the year when contributions were made.
Complete the approved Claim a tax deduction for personal contributions to super form and return it to CBUS.
More information
If you’ve already lodged a notice with CBUS and want to adjust the amount stated in the earlier notice, complete the same form. If you’ve already lodged your tax return or it’s a new financial year, you cannot adjust the amount. Once lodged, your notice cannot be withdrawn.
After validation, we’ll write to you to acknowledge your intention to claim a tax deduction.
You must receive this notice before you can claim a tax deduction. We recommend you provide this to your tax adviser or accountant, or on request by the ATO.