How the threshold actually works
The $250,000 is combined income, not taxable income alone. The ATO adds back: reportable fringe benefits (grossed-up), net investment losses (negative gearing rental losses, share losses), reportable employer super contributions (salary-sacrificed amounts), and your concessional contributions for the year. SG (the compulsory 12% your employer pays) is included in the test even though it doesn't appear on your payslip as income.
Common mistakes
- Assuming SG alone won't trigger Div 293. A salary around $208,000 with 12% SG ($25,000) is already at $233,000 combined — one salary-sacrifice top-up easily pushes you over.
- Treating the $250,000 as taxable income. The Div 293 income definition is broader; it includes add-backs (rental losses, RFB, RESC) that don't appear on your assessable income line.
- Missing the 60-day release-authority window. Pay it from cash and it sits in super tax effective forever; pay via release and it comes out of your concessional balance.
- Forgetting partial-year apportionment. Bonuses paid in June can tip you over for a full year of contributions.
Cross-references
Run the numbers in the Division 293 calculator or check your overall position with the Super Contribution Optimizer.