Corporate tax rate cut will hit super, warns fund manager
The government may discreetly target superannuation by cutting the corporate tax rate in order to reduce franking credits and generate billions in revenue, according to one Australian fund manager.
Head of Clime Asset Management Michael Kloeckner said the most “well-hidden way in which the government can hit super” is by reducing the corporate tax rate from 30 to 25 per cent.
This would mean the calculation of franking credits will also be reduced from 30 per cent to 25 per cent, he said, which would reduce yields for super fund members in pension mode.
“The government wouldn’t have to say anything about the loss of franking credits [to the public] because they’re just reducing the corporate tax rate,” said Mr Kloeckner.
If the government does propose a cut to the corporate tax rate, it is likely it would reduce tax to 25 per cent for small businesses, while large businesses with a turnover of around $100 million would pay a 5 per cent levy in place of the reduction in the tax.
“That way the company still keeps paying 30 per cent but the super fund holder is down to 25 per cent,” he explained.
The government would then likely retain the 5 per cent levy from these larger companies for revenue, he said.
“So then you’re actually benefiting the small guys, which is what Malcolm Turnbull would be happy to do, and [with] the big guys you say, you’re big and you can afford to pay tax,” he said
“But in the meantime the amount in franking the [government will] save from super is going to be in the billions.”
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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.
