Superannuation in 2025 Made Simple for Business Owners
Want a bigger retirement fund?
If you run a business in Brisbane or Capalaba, you’re already busy keeping clients happy, managing staff, and staying on top of the books.
Superannuation often gets pushed aside — but the right contributions at the right time can save tax now and grow your retirement fund faster.
Here’s what you need to know for the 2025/2026 financial year.
The Highlights – risk of extra taxes
The new superannuation limits for 2025/2026 can lead to higher extra taxes if you’re not careful.
- You can still put up to $30,000 a year into super before tax (Concessional contributions).
- You can put up to $120,000 a year in after tax (Non-concessional contributions), but this amount depends on your total super balance.
- If your Total Super Balance (TSB) is $2 million or more at 30 June 2025, you cannot add more after-tax contributions.
⚠️ Going over these limits can cost you extra tax and penalties. (Ask your accountant if you’re not sure or contact us for help.)
Now for the detailed version…
Basics of Super Contributions and Caps
There are two main types of contributions:
- Concessional contributions – before tax, such as employer payments or salary sacrifice. This is what you use to reduce your taxable income.
- Non-concessional contributions (NCCs) – after tax, which you pay from your own money. This is what you use to save more for retirement
Both have annual limits, called caps, and going over them can mean extra tax and penalties.
- Concessional contributions cap: $30,000 per year
- Non concessional contributions cap: $120,000 per year
Your Total Super Balance Affects How Much You Can Add
How much you can contribute during the 2026 Financial year after tax depends on your total super balance (TSB) on 30 June 2025.
From 1 July 2025, the Transfer Balance Cap is $2 million. This means:
| Total Super Balance | NCC Cap | Bring-Forward Allowed? |
| Less than $1.76m | $360,000 | 3 years |
| $1.76m – $1.88m | $240,000 | 2 years |
| $1.88m – $2.0m | $120,000 | No |
| $2.0m and above | Nil | Nil |
Bring forward means if you are under 75, you can put up to 3 years’ worth of NCCs in one go. Useful if you’re selling an asset, receiving inheritance, or want to grow retirement savings quickly.
Personal Deductible Contributions Can Reduce Tax
You can add money to super from your own savings and claim a tax deduction.
This turns your after-tax money into a concessional contribution, reducing your taxable income.
You can do this if:
- You’re under 67, or
- Aged 67–74 and meet the work test (or exemption).
This strategy can save you tax now and grow your super faster.
Claiming Super Deductions
To claim a deduction, you must tell your super fund using the official form: Notice of Intent to Claim (NAT 71121)
Your notice is only valid if:
- You’re still a member of the fund
- The fund still holds the contribution
- You lodged the claim before you lodged your tax return this year, or 30 June of the following year
- The money hasn’t already been used to start a pension, withdrawn, or rolled over.
⚠️ If you roll over or withdraw your super before lodging the notice, you lose the right to claim.
Why This Matters for Business Owners
If you go over the limits, you may face unexpected taxes and penalties.
On the other hand, if you plan your contributions and time it wisely, you can:
- Lower tax bills using concessional caps
- Make cash flow smoother by timing contributions around seasonal revenue and cash flow
- Grow retirement wealth faster by boosting your super and reducing taxes
- Avoid penalties and fines by staying within caps
What to Do Next
Want to get on the fast track to better retirement?
- Check your super balance as at 30 June 2025.
- Work out your caps based on the table above.
- Plan your contributions (and deductions) to stay under the limit and align with your cashflow
Ready to Make the Most of Your Super?
Confused about your Super, or unsure about the best way to contribute?
If you’re a small/medium business or business owner in Brisbane, we can help:
- Maximise tax savings
- Keep you on the right side of the ATO and minimise and fines
Contact us or call 07 3483 0100 if we can help.
