Australia Income Tax Rates 2015 Calculator

Calculate your 2015 Australian income tax liability with official ATO rates

Comprehensive Guide to Australia Income Tax Rates 2015

The 2015 Australian financial year (1 July 2014 – 30 June 2015) introduced several important changes to the tax system that affected individuals, businesses, and investors. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the 2015 income tax rates, thresholds, and key considerations for your tax return.

2015 Income Tax Rates for Australian Residents

The following tax rates applied to Australian residents for the 2014-2015 financial year:

Taxable Income	Tax Rate	Tax Payable
$0 – $18,200	0%	$0
$18,201 – $37,000	19%	19c for each $1 over $18,200
$37,001 – $80,000	32.5%	$3,572 plus 32.5c for each $1 over $37,000
$80,001 – $180,000	37%	$17,547 plus 37c for each $1 over $80,000
$180,001 and over	45%	$54,547 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000

Key Changes in 2015 Tax Year

• Temporary Budget Repair Levy: Introduced in 2014, this 2% levy continued to apply in 2015 for individuals with taxable incomes over $180,000
• Medicare Levy Increase: The Medicare levy remained at 2% for most taxpayers, with low-income earners eligible for reductions or exemptions
• HECS/HELP Repayment Thresholds: The minimum repayment threshold was $53,345 for 2014-2015, with repayment rates ranging from 4% to 8% of income
• Superannuation Contributions: The concessional contributions cap remained at $30,000 for those under 49 and $35,000 for those 49 and over

Tax Rates for Non-Residents (2015)

Non-residents were subject to different tax rates in 2015, with no tax-free threshold:

Taxable Income	Tax Rate	Tax Payable
$0 – $80,000	32.5%	32.5c for each $1
$80,001 – $180,000	37%	$26,000 plus 37c for each $1 over $80,000
$180,001 and over	45%	$63,000 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000

Working Holiday Maker Tax Rates (417/462 Visa)

For working holiday makers on 417 or 462 visas, special tax rates applied in 2015:

• 0% tax rate on income up to $18,200
• 19% tax rate on income between $18,201 and $37,000
• 32.5% tax rate on income between $37,001 and $80,000
• 37% tax rate on income between $80,001 and $180,000
• 45% tax rate on income over $180,000

Medicare Levy and Surcharge

The Medicare levy for 2015 was generally 2% of taxable income, though reductions or exemptions applied for:

• Low-income earners (singles earning less than $20,896 or families earning less than $35,261)
• Pensioners and seniors
• Certain medical condition exemptions

The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) applied to high-income earners without private hospital cover:

• 1% for singles earning over $88,000 or families earning over $176,000
• 1.25% for singles earning over $102,000 or families earning over $204,000
• 1.5% for singles earning over $136,000 or families earning over $272,000

Tax Offsets and Rebates Available in 2015

Several tax offsets were available to reduce tax payable in 2015:

1. Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): Up to $445 for taxpayers earning less than $66,667
2. Senior Australians and Pensioners Tax Offset (SAPTO): Available to eligible seniors and pensioners
3. Private Health Insurance Rebate: Income-tested rebate for private health insurance premiums
4. Dependent Spouse Tax Offset: Phased out in 2015 but still available for some taxpayers
5. Zone Tax Offset: For residents of remote areas

Superannuation Contributions and Tax

For the 2015 financial year:

• Concessional contributions cap: $30,000 (under 49), $35,000 (49 and over)
• Non-concessional contributions cap: $180,000 per year or $540,000 over 3 years using bring-forward rule
• Superannuation guarantee rate: 9.5% (increasing from 9.25% in 2014)
• Contributions tax: 15% for concessional contributions

Capital Gains Tax in 2015

Capital gains tax (CGT) applied to assets sold in 2015, with the following key points:

• 50% CGT discount for assets held longer than 12 months (for individuals and trusts)
• No discount for companies
• Small business CGT concessions available for eligible businesses
• Main residence exemption continued to apply for primary homes

Common Tax Deductions for 2015

Taxpayers could claim deductions for work-related expenses, provided they:

• Were actually incurred
• Were directly related to earning income
• Were not reimbursed by the employer
• Had proper records (receipts for expenses over $300)

Common deductible expenses included:

• Vehicle and travel expenses
• Clothing, laundry and dry-cleaning
• Home office expenses
• Self-education expenses
• Tools and equipment
• Union fees and professional subscriptions

Tax Planning Strategies for 2015

Effective tax planning could help reduce tax liability in 2015:

1. Salary Sacrificing: Redirecting pre-tax salary to superannuation or other benefits
2. Bring Forward Deductions: Pre-paying deductible expenses before 30 June
3. Defer Income: Delaying receipt of income until after 30 June where possible
4. Superannuation Contributions: Making concessional contributions to reduce taxable income
5. Investment Property Depreciation: Claiming building depreciation and fixtures
6. Franking Credits: Utilizing imputation credits from Australian shares

Important Tax Deadlines for 2015

• 30 June 2015: End of financial year
• 14 July 2015: Due date for PAYG payment summaries to be provided to employees
• 28 July 2015: Due date for PAYG withholding payment to ATO
• 31 October 2015: Deadline for lodging tax returns (unless using a tax agent)
• 28 February 2016: Deadline for tax agents to lodge returns (if lodged by this date)

Common Tax Mistakes to Avoid

When preparing your 2015 tax return, beware of these common errors:

• Claiming private expenses as work-related
• Not declaring all income (including cash jobs, foreign income, and capital gains)
• Incorrectly calculating home office expenses
• Failing to keep proper records and receipts
• Claiming the full $300 for work-related expenses without spending that amount
• Not declaring income from the sharing economy (e.g., Uber, Airbnb)
• Incorrectly claiming rental property deductions

How to Lodge Your 2015 Tax Return

Taxpayers had several options for lodging their 2015 tax return:

1. myTax: The ATO’s online lodgment service
2. Tax Agent: Using a registered tax agent (with extended deadlines)
3. Paper Return: Mailing a completed paper tax return

Required information typically included:

• PAYG payment summary from employer
• Bank interest statements
• Dividend statements
• Private health insurance statement
• Receipts for work-related expenses
• Records of capital gains or losses
• Rental property income and expense records

ATO Compliance Focus Areas for 2015

The ATO announced several compliance focus areas for 2015 returns:

• Work-related expenses: Particularly clothing, laundry, and home office claims
• Rental property deductions: Ensuring claims are legitimate and properly documented
• Capital gains: Proper reporting of cryptocurrency transactions and property sales
• Sharing economy: Income from platforms like Uber and Airbnb
• Foreign income: Ensuring all overseas income is declared
• Superannuation: Compliance with contribution caps

Official Resources and References

For the most accurate and up-to-date information about 2015 Australian tax rates, consult these authoritative sources:

• Australian Taxation Office – Individual income tax rates
• ATO 2015 Tax Return Information
• Australian Government Treasury – 2015-16 Budget Tax Measures