Division 293 Tax Calculator
Check if you need to pay the extra 15% Division 293 tax on super contributions if your income exceeds $250,000.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for general information purposes only. Results should not be relied upon as professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates and thresholds are based on publicly available ATO data and may change. Always consult a qualified tax agent or financial adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Division 293 income calculated?
Can I pay Division 293 tax from my super fund?
What is Division 293 Tax?
Division 293 is an additional 15% tax on super contributions for high-income earners. It applies when your income plus super contributions exceeds $250,000, effectively doubling the tax on affected super contributions from 15% to 30%.
How this calculator works
Enter your taxable income and the calculator adds your super contributions (12% SG plus any extras) to determine your combined income. If this exceeds $250,000, Division 293 tax applies at 15% on the lesser of: your taxable super contributions, or the amount your combined income exceeds $250,000. The effective super tax rate shows the blended rate across all your contributions. You can pay Div 293 from your super fund or personally — most people elect to have their fund pay it.
What Div 293 Is Designed To Do
Introduced 1 July 2012 to reduce the tax concession high earners receive on super. Without Div 293, someone on 45% marginal rate would save 30 cents/dollar by sacrificing into super (45% personal vs 15% fund). With Div 293, savings drop to 15 cents/dollar. Still worthwhile, but less generous. Designed to make super concessions fairer across income bands.
Who Pays Div 293
Trigger: income for Div 293 purposes + concessional contributions > $250,000. 'Income' includes: taxable income, reportable fringe benefits (RFBA), reportable employer super contributions, net investment loss (rental property losses), foreign income, and other items. Many people slightly over $200k salary trigger Div 293 once SG + salary sacrifice are added.
Notice and Payment Options
After your tax return is processed, ATO calculates Div 293 and sends you a determination (usually August-October). You have two payment options: (1) ELECT TO RELEASE — your super fund pays from your balance (uses an ATO Release Authority). Most common option. (2) PAY PERSONALLY — from your bank account, keeps super balance intact. Tax-effectiveness usually favours (1) for most people.
Strategies to Minimise Div 293
(1) Spread concessional contributions across years using carry-forward (if eligible). (2) For salary sacrifice — sometimes BETTER to take cash and invest outside super if you're well over $250k income (avoid Div 293 entirely). (3) Consider spousal contributions if your spouse has lower income — gets your money into super without Div 293 trigger. (4) Time bonuses/severance carefully to avoid pushing into Div 293 in unusual years.
Official Sources
All calculations are performed in your browser — your data never leaves your device. Results are for general guidance only and should not be considered professional financial advice.
Built and maintained by Konstantin Iakovlev. Data sourced from the ATO and official Australian government sources.