Super Contributions Tax Calculator: Formula, Example and What the Result Means
Shows the tax your fund deducts from concessional (before-tax) contributions. This guide walks through what each input means, the formula behind the answer and a worked example using typical Australian figures. You can follow along in the free Super Contributions Tax Calculator.
Why it matters
Superannuation is Australia’s compulsory retirement savings system. Employers pay the super guarantee into your fund, contributions are taxed concessionally, and the money is generally preserved until you reach preservation age and retire. Small changes to contributions, fees or investment returns compound over decades.
What you need to enter
The calculator asks for 2 inputs. The table shows each one with the example value used later in this guide.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Concessional contributions ($) | 20000 |
| Income over $250k? (1 = yes, 0 = no) | 0 |
The formula
Concessional contributions are taxed at 15%, or 30% under Division 293 if income plus contributions exceed $250,000.
Worked example
Entering the example values above gives these results:
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Tax paid by fund | $3,000.00 |
| Contributions tax rate | 15% |
| Amount invested | $17,000.00 |
The headline figure is $3,000.00 (tax paid by fund). Change any input in the calculator and every result updates instantly, so you can test different scenarios side by side.
How the tax paid by fund changes with concessional contributions
The table below keeps every other input at the example value and moves only “Concessional contributions ($)” up and down by 10% and 20%. It shows how sensitive the tax paid by fund is to that one figure.
| Concessional contributions ($) | Tax paid by fund |
|---|---|
| 16,000 | $2,400.00 |
| 18,000 | $2,700.00 |
| 20,000 | $3,000.00 |
| 22,000 | $3,300.00 |
| 24,000 | $3,600.00 |
At 16,000 the result is $2,400.00; at 24,000 it is $3,600.00. If a small change in this input moves the answer a lot, it is worth double-checking that figure before you rely on the result.
A practical tip
After-tax (non-concessional) contributions are not taxed on the way in, because you have already paid tax on that money.
Keep going
Before relying on the number, read Super Contributions Tax: What to Check Before You Trust the Number. You might also find these guides useful:
- Using a Concessional Contributions Cap Calculator in Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Super Co-contribution Calculator Explained for Australians
- How the Spouse Super Contribution Tax Offset Calculator Works (With a Worked Example)
Frequently asked questions
- Are the projections guaranteed?
- No. Investment returns vary from year to year. Treat projections as a guide for planning, not a forecast.
- What is the super guarantee rate?
- It is 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2025.
- Should I get advice?
- For decisions like salary sacrifice, contribution strategies or retirement income, a licensed financial adviser can look at your full situation. This site provides general information only.
Run your own numbers in the Super Contributions Tax Calculator.
Open the calculatorGeneral information only. Rates and thresholds change, usually on 1 July. Confirm current figures with the ATO or the relevant authority, and get personal advice for decisions about your situation.