CPA calls for amnesty for early release errors
With more than 3 million Australians applying for the early release of super, the government should consider an amnesty for applications made in error and higher contribution limits for those who accessed the scheme, says CPA Australia.
In a federal budget submission, CPA Australia noted that as of 9 August 2020, more than 3 million Australians have accessed their superannuation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with an estimated $31 billion withdrawn.
In updated figures released this week by APRA, 3.1 million Australians had accessed the scheme as at 23 August, with 1.2 million of these applicants having also made a repeat application. There have been $32.2 billion payments made so far.
Following the high level of early access of superannuation, many Australians will need additional support to rebuild their retirement savings, the CPA submission stated.
“The government should consider a range of options, including confirming its commitment to the legislated increase to the superannuation guarantee rate, the timings of which needs to balance the range of potential benefits and costs,” it said.
The submission said the government could also consider a range of other measures to help Australians rebuild their superannuation balances, including limited relief in the form of higher contribution limits for Australians who have accessed their superannuation. This would help accelerate the rate at which they could top up their superannuation balance.
A co-contribution scheme for affected fund members could also be adopted, the submission said, to ensure that the time-value of money is properly factored into topping-up measures.
It also suggested an increased total superannuation balance limit for taxpayers who have accessed their superannuation and who wish to utilise the carry forward of unused concessional contributions.
The submission also called for a limited amnesty for Australians who accessed their superannuation in error to “ensure that they can repay funds without penalty”.
CPA noted in the submission that Australia’s income tax system continues to penalise taxpayers in relation to the tax treatment of income derived from savings outside the superannuation system.
“This discourages non-superannuation savings and investment,” it stated.
“Superannuation’s tax-preferred status has enabled it to become the primary savings vehicle for most Australians. This has been beneficial for retirement savings, but it fails to recognise the necessity for individuals to save income outside of superannuation to afford major capital purchases during their working life, among other things.”
If income derived from savings was taxed at a rate that was lower than an individual’s marginal personal tax rate, the submission said, this would encourage greater savings and investment outside of superannuation.
“It may also encourage investment in assets other than the family home or residential property more broadly,” it stated.
The CPA Australia submission noted that Australia’s Future Tax System report proposed a 40 per cent savings income discount available to individuals, for non-business-related net interest income, net residential rental income including related interest expenses, capital gains and losses, and interest expenses related to listed shares held by individuals.
“If implemented, this proposal may make investments outside of residential property (not the family home) and superannuation more attractive,” it said.
Miranda Brownlee
Miranda Brownlee is the deputy editor of SMSF Adviser, which is the leading source of news, strategy and educational content for professionals working in the SMSF sector.
Since joining the team in 2014, Miranda has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest superannuation stories in Australia, and has reported extensively on technical strategy and legislative updates.
Miranda also has broad business and financial services reporting experience, having written for titles including Investor Daily, ifa and Accountants Daily.
