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openaccountants/skills/au-super-guarantee.md
au-super-guarantee.md446 lines18.7 KB
v20
1---
2name: au-super-guarantee
3description: >
4 Use this skill whenever asked about Australian Superannuation Guarantee (SG) obligations, voluntary super contributions, concessional and non-concessional caps, Division 293 tax, government co-contribution, spouse contribution tax offset, carry-forward rules, or any question about super for sole traders or employers. Trigger on phrases like "how much super do I pay", "SG rate", "super guarantee", "concessional cap", "Division 293", "salary sacrifice super", "personal super contribution deduction", "co-contribution", "BPAY super", "ATO super clearing house", "super fund contribution", or any question about Australian superannuation. Also trigger when classifying bank statement transactions showing super fund payments, BPAY super debits, or ATO Small Business Super Clearing House (SBSCH) payments. ALWAYS read this skill before touching any SG-related work.
5version: 2.0
6jurisdiction: AU
7tax_year: 2024-25
8category: international
9depends_on:
10 - social-contributions-workflow-base
11---
12 
13# Australia Superannuation Guarantee (SG) -- Sole Trader & Employer Skill v2.0
14 
15## Section 1 -- Quick reference
16 
17**Read this whole section before computing or classifying anything.**
18 
19| Field | Value |
20|---|---|
21| Country | Australia |
22| Primary Legislation | Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (SGAA 1992) |
23| Supporting Legislation | SIS Act 1993; ITAA 1997 Div 290-293; Co-contribution Act 2003 |
24| Tax Authority | Australian Taxation Office (ATO) |
25| Tax Year | 2024-25 (1 July 2024 -- 30 June 2025) |
26| Currency | AUD only |
27| SG rate (2024-25) | 11.5% (12% from 1 July 2025) |
28| Maximum contribution base (quarterly) | $65,070 |
29| Concessional cap (2024-25) | $30,000 |
30| Non-concessional cap (2024-25) | $120,000 ($360,000 bring-forward) |
31| General transfer balance cap | $1,900,000 |
32| Division 293 threshold | $250,000 |
33| SG quarterly deadlines | 28 Oct, 28 Jan, 28 Apr, 28 Jul |
34| Sole trader SG to self | NO obligation -- voluntary only |
35| Payday Super | Commences 1 July 2026 |
36| Contributor | Open Accountants |
37| Validated by | Pending |
38| Validation date | April 2026 |
39 
40**Conservative defaults:**
41 
42| Ambiguity | Default |
43|---|---|
44| Unknown entity structure | Ask -- sole trader vs company affects SG obligation |
45| Unknown whether sole trader has employees | Ask -- determines SG requirement |
46| Unknown SG rate year | 2024-25 = 11.5%; 2025-26 = 12% |
47| Unknown TSB for carry-forward | Assume >= $500,000 (no carry-forward); ask client |
48| Unknown s 290-150 notice status | Assume NOT lodged; warn about deadline |
49| Unknown contractor vs employee | Flag for reviewer -- multi-factor test |
50 
51---
52 
53## Section 2 -- Required inputs and refusal catalogue
54 
55### Required inputs
56 
57**Minimum viable** -- entity structure (sole trader / company / trust / partnership), whether client has employees, OTE per quarter (for employers), and voluntary contribution intent (for sole traders).
58 
59**Recommended** -- bank statements showing super fund debits, employee roster with OTE, TSB at 30 June prior year, taxable income for Division 293.
60 
61**Ideal** -- complete activity statement data, super fund member statements, s 290-150 notice copies, ATO online account showing contribution caps.
62 
63### Refusal catalogue
64 
65**R-AU-SG-1 -- Defined benefit funds.** *Trigger:* client has a defined benefit fund. *Message:* "Defined benefit fund calculations are actuarially determined and out of scope. Escalate."
66 
67**R-AU-SG-2 -- Constitutionally protected funds.** *Trigger:* client has a constitutionally protected state fund. *Message:* "Out of scope. Escalate."
68 
69**R-AU-SG-3 -- Family law splits.** *Trigger:* super splitting in divorce. *Message:* "Family law superannuation splits require legal advice. Out of scope."
70 
71**R-AU-SG-4 -- SGC penalty computation.** *Trigger:* client has missed SG deadlines and asks about SGC. *Message:* "Super Guarantee Charge computation should be escalated to a qualified practitioner. SGC includes shortfall + 10% nominal interest + $20 per employee per quarter, and is NOT tax-deductible."
72 
73---
74 
75## Section 3 -- Payment pattern library
76 
77This is the deterministic pre-classifier for bank statement transactions related to superannuation.
78 
79### 3.1 Super fund contributions (employer SG or personal)
80 
81| Pattern | Treatment | Notes |
82|---|---|---|
83| SUPER, SUPERANNUATION | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | Generic super payment |
84| AUSTRALIAN SUPER, AUSTSUPER | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | AustralianSuper fund |
85| REST, REST SUPER | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | Retail Employees Super |
86| HOSTPLUS | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | Hospitality industry fund |
87| CBUS, CBUS SUPER | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | Construction industry fund |
88| SUNSUPER, AUSTRALIAN RETIREMENT TRUST | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | QLD-based fund (merged) |
89| UNISUPER | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | University sector fund |
90| HESTA | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | Health sector fund |
91| COLONIAL FIRST STATE, CFS | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | Retail fund |
92| AMP SUPER, AMP | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | Retail fund |
93| MLC SUPER, MLC | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | Retail fund |
94| BT SUPER | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | Retail fund |
95| SMSF (+ fund name) | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | Self-managed super fund |
96 
97### 3.2 BPAY super payments
98 
99| Pattern | Treatment | Notes |
100|---|---|---|
101| BPAY SUPER, BPAY (+ fund name) | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | BPAY is common payment method for super |
102| BPAY (biller code matching known super fund) | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | Check BPAY biller code |
103 
104### 3.3 ATO Small Business Super Clearing House (SBSCH)
105 
106| Pattern | Treatment | Notes |
107|---|---|---|
108| ATO SUPER, ATO CLEARING HOUSE | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | Small businesses (<20 employees) can pay SG via ATO SBSCH |
109| ATO SBSCH | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | Clearing house payment |
110| SMALL BUSINESS SUPERANNUATION | EXCLUDE -- super contribution | ATO SBSCH reference |
111 
112### 3.4 Super guarantee charge (SGC -- late/missed SG)
113 
114| Pattern | Treatment | Notes |
115|---|---|---|
116| ATO SGC, SUPER GUARANTEE CHARGE | EXCLUDE -- SGC payment | Late SG penalty payment to ATO |
117 
118### 3.5 Salary and wages (not super)
119 
120| Pattern | Treatment | Notes |
121|---|---|---|
122| SALARY, WAGES (outgoing) | Not super | Payroll expense -- SG is separate from wages |
123| PAYROLL | Not super | Wages payment |
124 
125### 3.6 ATO tax payments (not super)
126 
127| Pattern | Treatment | Notes |
128|---|---|---|
129| ATO IAS, ATO BAS | EXCLUDE -- tax | Activity statement payment (PAYG/GST) |
130| ATO INCOME TAX | EXCLUDE -- tax | Not super |
131 
132---
133 
134## Section 4 -- Worked examples
135 
136Six bank statement classifications for a hypothetical Australian sole trader with 2 employees.
137 
138### Example 1 -- Quarterly SG payment to employee's super fund
139 
140**Input line:**
141`28.10.2024 ; AUSTRALIAN SUPER ; DEBIT ; SG Q1 2024-25 EMPLOYEE A ; -2,300.00 ; AUD`
142 
143**Reasoning:**
144Matches "AUSTRALIAN SUPER" (pattern 3.1). Amount $2,300 = $20,000 OTE x 11.5% SG. This is the Q1 (Jul-Sep) SG contribution for Employee A, paid by the 28 October deadline. Tax-deductible for the employer.
145 
146**Classification:** EXCLUDE -- SG contribution for employee. Tax-deductible business expense.
147 
148### Example 2 -- Personal voluntary super contribution (sole trader)
149 
150**Input line:**
151`15.05.2025 ; BPAY HOSTPLUS ; DEBIT ; PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION ; -10,000.00 ; AUD`
152 
153**Reasoning:**
154Matches "BPAY" + "HOSTPLUS" (pattern 3.2). Sole trader making a personal super contribution. Whether this is concessional (deductible) depends on whether the s 290-150 notice is lodged and acknowledged. If notice lodged: $10,000 concessional contribution, tax-deductible, taxed at 15% in the fund. If no notice: non-concessional, no deduction.
155 
156**Classification:** EXCLUDE -- personal super contribution. Deductibility depends on s 290-150 notice status. Flag: "Has the Notice of Intent to Claim a Deduction been lodged with the fund?"
157 
158### Example 3 -- ATO Small Business Clearing House payment
159 
160**Input line:**
161`27.01.2025 ; ATO SUPER CLEARING HOUSE ; DEBIT ; SG Q2 ALL EMPLOYEES ; -4,600.00 ; AUD`
162 
163**Reasoning:**
164Matches "ATO SUPER CLEARING HOUSE" (pattern 3.3). Small business paying SG for all employees via the ATO SBSCH. The clearing house distributes to each employee's nominated fund. Q2 (Oct-Dec) payment by 28 January deadline.
165 
166**Classification:** EXCLUDE -- SG contributions via SBSCH. Tax-deductible.
167 
168### Example 4 -- OTE above maximum contribution base
169 
170**Input line:**
171`28.04.2025 ; REST SUPER ; DEBIT ; SG Q3 EMPLOYEE B ; -7,483.05 ; AUD`
172 
173**Reasoning:**
174Matches "REST SUPER" (pattern 3.1). Amount $7,483.05 = $65,070 (max contribution base) x 11.5%. Employee B's OTE for Q3 exceeded $65,070, so SG is capped.
175 
176**Classification:** EXCLUDE -- SG contribution (capped at maximum contribution base).
177 
178### Example 5 -- Sole trader asking about self-SG
179 
180**Input line:**
181No super fund debits found for the sole trader's own account.
182 
183**Reasoning:**
184Sole traders have NO SG obligation to themselves. Drawings are not salary. If the sole trader wants super, they must make voluntary personal contributions.
185 
186**Classification:** No SG payment expected for sole trader's own account. Recommend voluntary contribution strategy.
187 
188### Example 6 -- ATO tax payment (NOT super)
189 
190**Input line:**
191`28.10.2024 ; ATO ; DEBIT ; IAS SEP QTR ; -3,500.00 ; AUD`
192 
193**Reasoning:**
194Matches "ATO" + "IAS" (pattern 3.6). This is an Instalment Activity Statement (PAYG/GST) payment, NOT a super contribution.
195 
196**Classification:** EXCLUDE -- tax payment. NOT super.
197 
198---
199 
200## Section 5 -- Tier 1 rules
201 
202### Rule 1 -- SG formula
203 
204```
205SG per quarter = min(Employee_OTE_for_quarter, $65,070) x 11.5%
206```
207 
208No $450/month threshold (removed 1 July 2022). All employees eligible.
209 
210### Rule 2 -- SG rate
211 
2122024-25: 11.5%. 2025-26 onwards: 12%.
213 
214### Rule 3 -- Quarterly deadlines
215 
216| Quarter | Period | Due |
217|---|---|---|
218| Q1 | 1 Jul - 30 Sep | 28 October |
219| Q2 | 1 Oct - 31 Dec | 28 January |
220| Q3 | 1 Jan - 31 Mar | 28 April |
221| Q4 | 1 Apr - 30 Jun | 28 July |
222 
223Late/missed: triggers Super Guarantee Charge (SGC). SGC is NOT tax-deductible.
224 
225### Rule 4 -- Sole traders have NO SG obligation to themselves
226 
227Drawings are not salary. Only voluntary contributions. Company directors paying themselves a salary: YES SG applies (director is employee of company).
228 
229### Rule 5 -- Concessional contributions cap
230 
231$30,000 (2024-25). Includes employer SG + salary sacrifice + personal deductible contributions (with s 290-150 notice). Excess included in assessable income at marginal rate (with 15% offset).
232 
233### Rule 6 -- Carry-forward unused concessional cap
234 
235Available from 2018-19 onward, up to 5 prior years, IF TSB < $500,000 at 30 June prior year. If TSB >= $500,000: no carry-forward.
236 
237### Rule 7 -- Non-concessional cap
238 
239$120,000 (2024-25). Bring-forward: $360,000 (3 years) if TSB < $1,660,000. TSB >= $1,900,000: nil cap.
240 
241### Rule 8 -- s 290-150 notice (personal contribution deduction)
242 
243Must lodge Notice of Intent to Claim a Deduction with the super fund AND receive acknowledgement BEFORE the earlier of: lodging the tax return, or end of following financial year. If not lodged: contribution stays non-concessional, NO deduction.
244 
245### Rule 9 -- Division 293 (additional 15% for high earners)
246 
247```
248Div 293 income = taxable income + concessional contributions
249If > $250,000: Div 293 tax = 15% x lesser of (concessional contributions, excess over $250,000)
250```
251 
252### Rule 10 -- Government co-contribution
253 
254Max $500. Income < $60,400. Matching rate: 50c per $1 of non-concessional contribution (max $1,000 contributed). Reduces above $45,400. Automatic upon tax return lodgement.
255 
256---
257 
258## Section 6 -- Tier 2 catalogue
259 
260### T2-1 -- Contractor vs employee for SG
261 
262**Trigger:** Client engages a contractor who may be principally for labour (SGAA s 12(3)).
263**Issue:** Multi-factor test required. SG may be triggered.
264**Action:** Flag for reviewer.
265 
266### T2-2 -- Multiple employers exceeding concessional cap
267 
268**Trigger:** Individual has two employers both paying SG. Combined may exceed $30,000.
269**Issue:** Neither employer at fault. Individual bears excess contributions tax.
270**Action:** Flag for reviewer to assess salary sacrifice adjustment.
271 
272### T2-3 -- Over-75 contributions
273 
274**Trigger:** Client aged 75+ wants to make voluntary contributions.
275**Issue:** Work test applies (40 hours in 30 consecutive days). Mandated employer SG has no age limit.
276**Action:** Flag for reviewer.
277 
278### T2-4 -- Carry-forward with borderline TSB
279 
280**Trigger:** TSB close to $500,000 threshold.
281**Issue:** Carry-forward availability depends on exact TSB at 30 June.
282**Action:** Flag for reviewer to confirm TSB.
283 
284### T2-5 -- s 290-150 notice deadline approaching
285 
286**Trigger:** Client made personal contributions but has not lodged notice.
287**Issue:** Missing the deadline is irreversible -- contribution stays non-concessional.
288**Action:** Urgent flag. Confirm notice status before lodging return.
289 
290---
291 
292## Section 7 -- Excel working paper template
293 
294```
295AUSTRALIA SUPERANNUATION -- WORKING PAPER
296Client: [name]
297Financial Year: [2024-25]
298Prepared: [date]
299 
300ENTITY AND STRUCTURE
301 Entity type: [Sole trader / Company / Trust / Partnership]
302 Has employees: [YES/NO]
303 Sole trader contributing for self: [YES/NO -- voluntary only]
304 
305EMPLOYER SG (PER EMPLOYEE PER QUARTER)
306 Employee name: [____]
307 OTE for quarter: AUD [____]
308 Capped OTE (max $65,070): AUD [____]
309 SG rate: 11.5%
310 SG contribution: AUD [____]
311 Due date: [____]
312 Paid on time: [YES/NO]
313 
314PERSONAL CONTRIBUTIONS (SOLE TRADER)
315 Personal contribution: AUD [____]
316 s 290-150 notice lodged: [YES/NO]
317 Acknowledged by fund: [YES/NO]
318 Classification: [Concessional / Non-concessional]
319 Tax deduction claimed: AUD [____]
320 
321CONTRIBUTION CAP CHECK
322 Concessional cap: AUD 30,000
323 Total concessional contributions: AUD [____]
324 Carry-forward available: AUD [____]
325 Remaining cap: AUD [____]
326 Non-concessional cap: AUD [____]
327 Total non-concessional: AUD [____]
328 
329DIVISION 293
330 Taxable income: AUD [____]
331 Concessional contributions: AUD [____]
332 Div 293 income: AUD [____]
333 Div 293 tax (if applicable): AUD [____]
334 
335REVIEWER FLAGS
336 [List any Tier 2 flags]
337```
338 
339---
340 
341## Section 8 -- Bank statement reading guide
342 
343### How super payments appear on Australian bank statements
344 
345**Direct fund payments:**
346- Description: Fund name (e.g., "AUSTRALIAN SUPER", "HOSTPLUS", "REST SUPER")
347- Timing: Quarterly (by 28th of month after quarter end) or more frequently
348- Amount: SG amount per employee or personal contribution amount
349 
350**BPAY payments:**
351- Description: "BPAY" + biller name or code
352- Timing: Any time
353- Amount: SG or personal contribution
354 
355**ATO Super Clearing House:**
356- Description: "ATO SUPER", "ATO CLEARING HOUSE", "SBSCH"
357- Timing: Quarterly
358- Amount: Combined SG for all employees
359 
360**Key identification tips:**
3611. Super fund names are the most reliable identifier
3622. BPAY to a super fund shows biller code -- cross-reference with fund
3633. ATO SBSCH is a single payment covering all employees
3644. Sole trader personal contributions look like any other fund payment -- context required
3655. SGC payments go to ATO, not to the fund
3666. Payday Super (from 1 July 2026) will change timing to each payday
367 
368---
369 
370## Section 9 -- Onboarding fallback
371 
372If the client provides only a bank statement:
373 
3741. **Scan for super fund debits** -- match against fund names in Section 3
3752. **Identify SG vs personal contributions** -- quarterly amounts aligned with deadlines = likely SG; ad hoc amounts = likely personal
3763. **Check for ATO SBSCH** -- indicates employer using clearing house
3774. **Sum quarterly SG payments** -- compare against expected OTE x 11.5% to verify completeness
3785. **Flag:** "Super contribution classification derived from bank statement patterns. Employee OTE, s 290-150 notice status, and TSB have not been independently verified. Reviewer must confirm before tax return lodgement."
379 
380---
381 
382## Section 10 -- Reference material
383 
384### Key rates and thresholds (2024-25)
385 
386| Item | Value |
387|---|---|
388| SG rate | 11.5% |
389| Max contribution base (quarterly) | $65,070 |
390| Maximum SG per quarter | $7,483.05 |
391| Concessional cap | $30,000 |
392| Non-concessional cap | $120,000 |
393| Bring-forward (3 years) | $360,000 |
394| Div 293 threshold | $250,000 |
395| Co-contribution max | $500 |
396| Co-contribution lower threshold | $45,400 |
397| Co-contribution upper threshold | $60,400 |
398| LISTO threshold | $37,000 |
399| Spouse offset max | $540 |
400| Transfer balance cap | $1,900,000 |
401 
402### LISTO (Low Income Super Tax Offset)
403 
404Adjusted taxable income <= $37,000: 15% of concessional contributions, max $500. Paid directly into super fund by ATO.
405 
406### Spouse contribution tax offset
407 
408Max $540 (18% of $3,000). Full offset if spouse income <= $37,000. Nil if spouse income >= $40,000.
409 
410### Test suite
411 
412**Test 1:** Employee OTE $20,000/quarter, 2024-25. -> SG = $2,300.
413 
414**Test 2:** Employee OTE $80,000/quarter. -> SG = $7,483.05 (capped).
415 
416**Test 3:** Sole trader contributes $25,000, lodges s 290-150. TSB $200,000. -> $25,000 concessional. Deduction $25,000. Within cap.
417 
418**Test 4:** Taxable income $260,000, concessional $30,000. -> Div 293 income $290,000. Div 293 tax = 15% x $30,000 = $4,500.
419 
420**Test 5:** TSB $400,000. Unused cap: $5,000 (2021-22) + $10,000 (2022-23) + $15,000 (2023-24). -> Available cap = $60,000.
421 
422**Test 6:** Income $50,000, non-concessional $1,000. -> Co-contribution = $346.68.
423 
424**Test 7:** $5,000 to spouse's fund, spouse income $36,000. -> Offset = $540.
425 
426**Test 8:** Sole trader asks about SG to self. -> $0. No obligation. Advise voluntary contributions.
427 
428### Prohibitions
429 
430- NEVER tell a sole trader they must pay SG to themselves
431- NEVER apply 12% rate to 2024-25 (rate is 11.5%)
432- NEVER ignore maximum contribution base ($65,070/quarter)
433- NEVER allow deduction claim without confirmed s 290-150 notice
434- NEVER apply carry-forward if TSB >= $500,000
435- NEVER present figures as definitive
436- NEVER compute SGC penalties without escalating
437- NEVER advise on defined benefit or constitutionally protected funds
438 
439---
440 
441## Disclaimer
442 
443This skill and its outputs are provided for informational and computational purposes only and do not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Open Accountants and its contributors accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from the use of this skill. All outputs must be reviewed and signed off by a qualified professional (such as a CPA, CA, tax agent, or equivalent licensed practitioner in your jurisdiction) before filing or acting upon.
444 
445The most up-to-date, verified version of this skill is maintained at [openaccountants.com](https://openaccountants.com). Log in to access the latest version, request a professional review from a licensed accountant, and track updates as tax law changes.
446 

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About

Use this skill whenever asked about Australian Superannuation Guarantee (SG) obligations, voluntary super contributions, concessional and non-concessional caps, Division 293 tax, government co-contribution, spouse contribution tax offset, carry-forward rules, or any question about super for sole traders or employers. Trigger on phrases like "how much super do I pay", "SG rate", "super guarantee", "concessional cap", "Division 293", "salary sacrifice super", "personal super contribution deduction", "co-contribution", "BPAY super", "ATO super clearing house", "super fund contribution", or any question about Australian superannuation. Also trigger when classifying bank statement transactions showing super fund payments, BPAY super debits, or ATO Small Business Super Clearing House (SBSCH) payments. ALWAYS read this skill before touching any SG-related work.

AUty-2025

4 of 6 in the AU workflow: