Is income protection tax deductible?

You may be able to claim income protection premiums on your yearly tax return. The amount you can claim will depend on your assessable income and your marginal tax rate. However, there are some exceptions that may mean you’re unable to claim, which we detail below.

In what situations are my premiums not deductible?

First off, you cannot claim on premiums if you’ve taken out cover through your superannuation fund, and your premiums are taken out of your regular contributions. Those contributions are already tax exempt.

You also cannot claim on any term life, trauma, or TPD insurance premiums. These products insure your life, while income protection insures your income – that’s why it’s deductible.

If you have a linked (i.e. bundled) policy that combines income protection with one of the above products, you may still be able to claim on your premiums, but only the premium amount that relates to the income protection portion.

More information about income protection and tax

• You can only claim for the premiums you pay during the financial year. So, if you received cover halfway through the year, make sure you only claim for the premiums you’ve paid for. You can, however, pay all your premiums a year in advance, and then claim that whole amount on your return.
• You’re taxed on your income protection payments. When it comes to compensation and insurance payments for lost income, tax may be payable on this money – according to the ATO. If you have to make a claim, keep this in mind when you do your next tax return.

Is it better value to get income protection inside or outside of superannuation?

This will depend on your own unique situation, including in relation to your income, tax situation, and insurance needs. Give yourself the best opportunity possible to get a great value product by weighing up options from both superannuation funds and insurers.

Above all, make sure the cover you take out adequately fits your needs. Read a little more information about these products, or get straight to it and compare income protection on our website.

The information provided here is general only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before you decide to purchase a product, it is important to read the relevant PDS.