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Personal Deductible Contributions Guide
How to contribute to super and claim a tax deduction (for self‑employed, contractors & employees)
Personal deductible contributions let you contribute to super from your own bank account and claim a tax deduction — giving you the same tax benefit as salary sacrifice, but without involving your employer. This is essential for self‑employed people and contractors, and useful for employees who want more control.
Quick Reference
CC Cap
$32,500/year
Includes SG + salary sacrifice + deductible
Tax in Super
15%
Contribution tax (generally)
Required Form
Notice of Intent (must be acknowledged)
EOFY Deadline
Contribution must be received by your fund
Key point: The contribution is counted in the year your fund receives it — not the day you hit “send”. Build in processing time, especially in late June.
Who Can Make Personal Deductible Contributions?
Almost anyone can make personal deductible contributions, including:
Self‑Employed
Sole traders and business owners without employer SG
Contractors
Independent contractors paid as sole traders
Employees
Anyone wanting to top up beyond employer contributions
Retirees
Those with investment or other income (if eligible)
Difference from salary sacrifice: Salary sacrifice is arranged through your employer (pre‑tax). Personal deductible contributions are paid from your own funds (after you receive income), then you claim a deduction on your return after lodging the Notice of Intent and receiving your fund’s acknowledgement.
Step‑by‑Step: Making a Personal Deductible Contribution
Calculate how much to contribute
Work out your maximum concessional (CC) contribution space:
- CC cap: $32,500
- Minus: employer SG received this year
- Minus: any salary sacrifice contributions
- Plus: unused caps from past 5 years (if TSB < $500,000)
Make the contribution
Transfer funds to your super fund via BPAY, direct deposit, or (if accepted) cheque.
Timing: To count for the current financial year, your fund must receive the contribution by . Many people aim for to allow for processing.
Lodge your Notice of Intent (NAT 71121)
This is the critical step. You must lodge the Notice of Intent to claim a deduction, then receive written acknowledgement from your fund.
- Complete all sections including the amount you intend to claim
- Send to your fund (portal / email / post)
- Wait for acknowledgement (keep it for your records)
Receive acknowledgement from your fund
Your super fund must acknowledge your Notice of Intent in writing. Keep the acknowledgement as evidence for your tax return.
Many funds issue acknowledgement within 2–4 weeks; some portals provide faster confirmation.
Claim the deduction on your tax return
At tax time, claim the deduction at:
- D12 — Personal superannuation contributions
The deduction reduces your taxable income, which generally saves tax at your marginal rate.
Critical Timing Rules
Notice of Intent deadline
You must lodge your Notice of Intent before the earlier of:
- lodging your tax return for that year
- end of the financial year after the contribution year
- rolling over or withdrawing the contribution
- commencing a pension with those funds
Contribution receipt date
The contribution counts in the year it is received by the fund — not when you initiate the payment.
Late‑June payments can land in July if processing delays occur.
Example: Michael’s timing
- 25 June 2026: Transfers $20,000 to his super fund
- 28 June 2026: Fund receives the contribution âś…
- 15 July 2026: Lodges Notice of Intent (NAT 71121)
- 25 July 2026: Receives acknowledgement
- Oct 2026: Claims $20,000 at D12
- The fund received the contribution before 30 June
- The Notice of Intent was lodged before the tax return
- Acknowledgement was received and retained
Dates shown are illustrative; always confirm your fund’s cut‑off and processing times.
Personal Deductible Contributions Checklist
âś… Before contributing
âś… After contributing
âś… At tax time
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Forgetting the Notice of Intent
Without NAT 71121 and acknowledgement, your contribution is treated as non‑concessional — no tax deduction.
Lodging your tax return first
Once your tax return is lodged, you generally can’t lodge a Notice of Intent for that year.
Contributing too late in June
Payments initiated on 30 June often arrive in July and count for the wrong year.
Exceeding the cap
Personal deductible contributions count towards your CC cap. Include employer SG and salary sacrifice when calculating.
Where to Next?
Need Help With Your Contributions?
Choose the path that fits your needs — learn at your own pace, get answers to specific questions, or work with an expert.
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