Maximise your savings with FBT Free Benefits
Did you know there are a range of uncapped FBT free benefits you could claim to help reduce your taxable income?
What are FBT Free Benefits?
FBT Free Benefits are salary packaging options that allow you to pay for certain work related or otherwise deductible personal expenses using before tax dollars, helping reduce your taxable income. These benefits vary by industry and employer approval, so it’s important to confirm eligibility with your employer or Maxxia.
FBT Free Benefits
These uncapped benefits apply across multiple industries, with eligibility depending on what your employer has approved. To confirm your eligibility, speak with your employer or contact Maxxia.
Expenses you may be able to salary package include:
Airport Lounge Membership
If you are a frequent traveller, you could save on your airport lounge membership by salary packaging the cost.
Employer-provided Car Parking Costs
If you drive to work or spend money on car parking, you may be eligible to salary package the cost of parking in an employer provided car park. This benefit could be available if you work for a private or not-for-profit hospital, charity, private school, club, association or religious organisation, and your employer offers this as part of your workplace benefits.
Financial Advice Fees
If you talk to a registered financial adviser about your finances or investment matters, you may be eligible to package certain fees. So while you’re getting advice on how to increase your assets and grow your investments, you could reduce your taxable income in the process. This can include:
- Financial counselling fees for managing existing income-producing investments
Income Protection / Professional indemnity insurance
You may be able to pay your Professional indemnity and income protection insurance premiums with a portion of before-tax dollars. Eligibility depends on your policy and personal circumstances. This does not apply if your insurance premium is paid through your superannuation.
Investment Loan Interest Repayments
If you have an investment loan, you may have the option to salary package the interest charged and paid using pre-tax salary. This loan must be 100% for income-producing purposes such as shares or property and be in your personal name.
Portable Devices used Primarily for Work^
You can salary package a mobile phone, laptop and tablet you have purchased, and use primarily for work purposes.
^Only one laptop, one phone and one iPad or tablet can be salary packaged per FBT year and must be used primarily for business purposes.
Professional Memberships and Subscriptions
This benefit covers the cost of your work-related membership fees and subscriptions. This can include newspaper and magazine subscriptions, club membership and professional memberships and subscriptions, and union fees.
Relocation Expenses
If you relocate for work, you could be eligible to salary package the costs associated with that relocation.
This may include:
- The cost of storage and removal of household items
- connecting your utilities (electricity, gas and telephone) to your new home
- temporary rental accommodation
- relocation travel costs including meals and accommodation en route
- home sale and purchase costs, including stamp duty, legal fees and estate agent’s commission.
Please note: when you apply for this benefit, we will send you a specific relocations expenses claim form in which your employer is also required to sign. Make sure you return it with your letter of offer and itemised receipts/invoices of your expenses so they can be reviewed and determined if they meet the eligibility requirements
Superannuation
You may be able to make additional contributions to your super through salary packaging. Currently, the concessional contributions cap is $30,000* per year and is inclusive of your employer contributions and salary sacrifice amounts.
How to apply:
- We’ll mail you a Super Stream application form via post
- Complete and return the form via post.Once processed, your contributions will be sent directly to your super provider
*Additional (or concessional) superannuation contributions from pre-tax salary are subject to a concessional tax rate of 15% contributions tax if your taxable income plus concessional contributions is under $250,000. An additional tax of 15% may apply if your taxable income plus concessional contributions is above $250,000. The taxation of additional superannuation contributions via salary packaging may differ from the taxation of additional superannuation contributions from post-tax salary. Additional superannuation contributions will be reported on an employee’s annual payment summary and will be used to assess an employee’s eligibility for a number of government benefits, or liability for certain payments. Caps for concessional superannuation contributions apply – please refer to www.ato.gov.au for up to date information.
Self-Education Expenses
If you’re studying for a degree, attending seminars, or doing other educational activities related to your current role, you may be able to salary package the costs.
This can include:
- courses undertaken at school, TAFE or university
- seminars or conferences
- textbooks and stationery and accommodation
- travel and meals paid for during self-education travels
This does not include HECS/HELP repayments.
Please note: when you apply for this benefit, we will send you a work expenses/self-education expenses claim form in which your employer is also required to sign. Make sure you return it with your itemised receipts/invoices of the expenses you are claiming so they can be reviewed and determined if they meet the eligibility requirements
Work-Related Expenses
If you purchase an item related to your work, you may be able to claim it through salary packaging. These include:
- Portable electronic devices. Laptop or notebook computer, iPad, mobile phone, portable printer, camera and calculator
- Tools of trade. Hand tools such as spanners, hammers and screwdrivers, power tools such as grinders, sanders and hammer drills, musical instruments, toolboxes, tool belts, electric clippers and scissors, technical equipment, and safety equipment such as hard hats or steel cap boots
Please note: when you apply for this benefit, we will send you a work expenses/self-education expenses claim form in which your employer is also required to sign. Make sure you return it with your itemised receipts/invoices of the expenses you are claiming.
How to claim FBT free benefits
To claim the above benefits, you will need to speak to Maxxia, and we will send you the applicable claim forms.
If you already have a salary packaging account, our customer care team can assist you.
If you don’t have an account yet, our sales team can help you set one up and send you the required form. Your account will not be activated, and no admin fees applied until the completed forms and substantiation are returned.
Once you’ve gathered all the required documentation, please email them to Maxxia.
Follow these simple steps to start saving:
- Complete the claim form for the benefit you’re applying for
- Attach proof of payment (valid tax invoice and receipt)
- Check if employer approval is needed–some forms require a signature (work related expenses, self-education expenses, and relocation expenses)
Submit everything to Maxxia via email at [email protected]
Important: Please be aware that if you salary package any of these expenses, you cannot also claim them as tax deductions on your tax return.
Start saving today! To confirm your eligibility or obtain the necessary claim forms, call Maxxia on 1300 123 123.
Things you need to know:This general information doesn’t take your personal circumstances into account. Please consider whether this information is right for you before making a decision and seek professional independent tax and financial advice. Conditions and fees apply along with credit assessment criteria for lease and loan products. The availability of benefits is subject to your employer’s approval. Maxxia may pay and/or receive commissions in connection with its services.
FBT Free Benefits – Frequently Asked Questions
What are FBT Free Benefits?
FBT Free Benefits are salary packaging arrangements that allow you to pay for certain work related or otherwise deductible personal expenses using a portion of before-tax dollars, helping reduce your taxable income.
These benefits vary by industry and employer approval, so it’s important to confirm eligibility with your employer or Maxxia.
Who can access the benefits?
These uncapped benefits apply across multiple industries, with eligibility depending on what your employer has approved. To confirm your eligibility, speak with your employer or contact Maxxia.
What type of benefits can I package?
Depending on eligibility, you can package a wide range of expenses, including:
- Airport lounge memberships
- Employer-provided car parking costs
- Financial advice fees
- Income protection, and professional indemnity insurance
- Investment loan interest repayments
- Portable devices^ used primarily for work
- Professional membership fees
- Relocation expenses
- Additional superannuation* contributions
- Self-education expenses
- Work related expenses
How can I apply for these benefits?
Contact Maxxia on 1300 123 123 to obtain the appropriate claim forms.
If you already have a salary packaging account, the customer care team can assist you. If not, the sales team can help set one up. Your account will not be activated until completed forms and substation are returned.
Important: Please be aware that if you salary package these expenses, you cannot also claim them as tax deductions on your tax return.
What do I need to include with my claim form?
You’ll need to send your valid tax invoice and receipt for the expense for which you are claiming. Some claims will require your employer's signature on the form
Are there limits on superannuation contributions?
Yes. Your contributions cap is $30,000, inclusive of employer superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions.
Where can I get more information?
Don’t miss out! Confirm your eligibility with your employer or call Maxxia on 1300 123 123.
Things you need to know:This general information doesn’t take your personal circumstances into account. Please consider whether this information is right for you before making a decision and seek professional independent tax and financial advice. Conditions and fees apply along with credit assessment criteria for lease and loan products. The availability of benefits is subject to your employer’s approval. Maxxia may pay and/or receive commissions in connection with its services.
*Additional (or concessional) superannuation contributions from pre-tax salary are subject to a concessional tax rate of 15% contributions tax if your taxable income plus concessional contributions is under $250,000. An additional tax of 15% may apply if your taxable income plus concessional contributions is above $250,000. The taxation of additional superannuation contributions via salary packaging may differ from the taxation of additional superannuation contributions from post-tax salary. Additional superannuation contributions will be reported on an employee’s annual payment summary and will be used to assess an employee’s eligibility for a number of government benefits, or liability for certain payments. Caps for concessional superannuation contributions apply – please refer to www.ato.gov.au for up to date information.
^Only one laptop, one phone and one iPad or tablet can be salary packaged per FBT year and must be used primarily for business purposes.
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