Claiming Personal Super Contributions in 2025

Published: July 2025

Want to lower your tax and fatten your future retirement fund? Say hello to personal super contributions—a tax-smart move that works harder than your boss ever did.

What Is a Personal Super Contribution?

It’s when you chuck your own money (not from your employer) into your super fund. Then, you claim it as a tax deduction. It’s legal, simple, and downright savvy.

How Much Can You Contribute in 2025?

Here’s what the ATO lets you sneak in this year:

• Concessional Contributions:

  • Cap is $30,000 per year.

  • Includes employer super, salary sacrifice, and personal contributions you claim.

• Catch-Up Rule:

  • If your super balance was under $500,000 on 30/06/24, you can use any leftover concessional cap from the last 5 years.

• Non-Concessional Contributions:

  • Cap is $120,000 per year.

  • Or up to $360,000 over three years if you qualify for the bring-forward rule.

  • But heads up: these aren’t deductible.

What You Can Claim

• Personal contributions made from your own bank account

• Contributions you notify your fund about (with a valid "Notice of Intent to Claim" form)

What You Can’t Claim

• Employer contributions

• Salary sacrifice

• Spouse contributions

• Government co-contributions

• Rollovers from other funds

Step-by-Step: How to Claim It

1. Make the Contribution

Transfer money from your personal bank account to your super fund before 30/06/25. Cut-off time matters—don't leave it to the last minute.

2. Notify Your Fund

Fill out a "Notice of intent to claim a deduction". Most funds have an online form or PDF version. Don't skip this step—no form, no deduction.

3. Wait for Confirmation

Your fund will send an acknowledgment letter. It’s your golden ticket. No letter = no claim.

4. Lodge Your Tax Return

Pop the amount into the "Personal super contributions" section. The ATO checks it against your fund's report.

Does It Prefill in My Return?

Sometimes. But don’t trust it blindly. Always check your own records.

What Records Do I Keep?

• Copy of your notice to your super fund

• The fund’s acknowledgment letter

• Bank statement or receipt showing the transfer

Keep these for at least 5 years. Because the ATO never forgets.

Example Time

You earn $80,000. You toss $10,000 into your super from your own account and lodge your notice. Your fund confirms it. You claim the $10,000 deduction. Your taxable income drops to $70,000. Boom—less tax, more super.

Tax Watch-Outs

• Don’t claim your employer or salary sacrifice contributions

• Don’t go over the $30,000 cap (or your personal limit with carry-forward)

• No acknowledgment letter = no deduction

• High income ($250,000+)? Watch for Division 293 tax (extra 15% on super)

Tips to Maximise Your Benefit

• Time it right: Get the money in before 30 June

• Catch-up caps: Track your unused caps from past 5 years

• Double check: Use your fund's online dashboard to confirm receipt

• Contribute smart: If you're retiring soon, this is a huge win

Gotax Tools to Make It Easy

Deduction Grabber App: Track super payments, keep receipts, and store your acknowledgment letter. Free and friendly. www.deductiongrabber.com.au

eCashbooks: Simple bookkeeping without the accountant price tag. Built for busy humans. www.ecashbooks.com

Final Word

Super contributions are one of the best legal tax moves around. Just follow the steps, keep your receipts, and don’t let the ATO catch you napping. Do it right and you’ll build your retirement while shrinking your tax bill.

Get help from GoTax today: https://www.gotax.com.au/guest-user