2017 Federal Budget Analysis

First home savers, downsizers and small business are the winners in Treasurer Scott Morrison’s second Budget – while taxpayers face an increase in the Medicare levy.
Note: These changes are proposals only and may or may not be made law.
Superannuation
Contributions from downsizing the home
Date of effect: 1 July 2018
Individuals aged 65 or older will be able to make non-concessional (after tax) super contributions of up to $300,000, using proceeds from the sale of the family home. This limit will:
 apply on a per person basis
 be in addition to the ordinary non-concessional contribution cap, and
 be available where the home has been owned for at least 10 years.
Unlike other non-concessional contributions, it will not be necessary to meet a work test or have a ‘total super balance’ under $1.6 million. The amount contributed will not be exempt from the assets test used to assess eligibility for the Age Pension.
First home super saver scheme
Date of effect: From 1 July 2017
First home buyers will be able to save for a deposit by making voluntary concessional and non-concessional super contributions. Contributions will be limited to $15,000 per year (up to a total of $30,000) and will count towards the relevant contribution cap.
Withdrawals can be made from 1 July 2018. Concessional contributions plus assumed earnings withdrawn will be taxed at the person’s marginal tax rate, less a 30% tax offset.
The Government has provided an online estimator to help individuals calculate the potential benefit of the scheme.
SMSF borrowings
Date of effect: When law is passed
Broadly, when new limited recourse borrowing arrangements are established, the loan balance will be included in an individual’s ‘total super balance’. The total super balance is used to determine a person’s ability to:
 make non-concessional contributions
 qualify for a Government co-contribution or a spouse contribution tax offset, and
 make catch-up concessional contributions above the annual caps from 1 July 2018, where certain conditions are met.
Also, repayments made from the SMSFs accumulation balance will count towards the member’s transfer balance cap, if the borrowing supports a pension account. The transfer balance cap limits the total lifetime transfers a person can make to retirement phase pensions.
Taxation
Medicare levy increase
Date of effect: 1 July 2019
The Medicare levy will increase from 2% to 2.5% pa to fully fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme. This increase will flow to a range of other taxes such as Fringe Benefits Tax.
Small business accelerated depreciation
Date of effect: 1 July 2017
The ability for small businesses with an annual turnover of $10 million or less to claim an immediate deduction for eligible assets costing less than $20,000 each will be extended for 12 months.
HELP thresholds and rates
Date of effect: 1 July 2018
The annual income threshold at which Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) repayments commence will be reduced to $42,000 (currently $54,869). Also, the repayment rate will start at 1% and increase progressively to 10%.
Social Security
Pensioner Concession Card
Date of effect: From 1 July 2017
Individuals who lost entitlement to the Pensioner Concession Card as a result of the 1 January 2017 assets test changes will be reissued with the card.
Energy Assistance Payment
Date of effect: 20 June 2017
Eligible pensioners will be entitled to a one-off Energy Assistance Payment of $75 for singles and $125 per couple. Eligible recipients include Australian residents who qualify for the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Service Pension.
Residency requirements for pensioners
Date of effect: 1 July 2018
To be eligible for the Age Pension and Disability Support Pension (DSP), claimants will need to have 15 years of continuous Australian residence unless they have either:
 10 years continuous Australian residence, with 5 years of this being during their working life, or
 10 years continuous Australian residence, without having received an activity tested income support payment for a cumulative period of 5 years.
Existing exemptions will continue to apply for DSP applicants who acquire their disability in Australia
Disclaimer 
The information contained in this Federal Budget Analysis is current as at 9 May 2017 and is prepared by MLC Technical, part of GWM Adviser Services Limited ABN 96 002 071749, registered office 150-153 Miller Street North Sydney NSW 2060,  a member of the National Australia Bank Group of Companies. 
Any advice in this Federal Budget Analysis has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of this you should, before acting on any advice, consider whether it is appropriate to your objectives, financial situation and needs.  
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
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