Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset (LISTO) is a government initiative designed to help low‑income earners grow their superannuation. It effectively refunds some of the tax for low-income earners and ensure that generally they are better off making and receiving concessional contributions.
How LISTO Works
If your taxable income is less than $37,000 in a financial year, you may be eligible to receive a refund of up to 15% of your concessional contributions, capped at $500. Concessional contributions include:
- Employer Super Guarantee payments
- Salary sacrifice contributions
- Deductible personal contributions
From 1 July 2027, the income threshold will rise to $45,000, and the maximum payment will increase to $810.
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for LISTO, you generally need to:
- Have concessional contributions made to your super during the financial year
- Be an Australian resident for tax purposes
- Have an adjusted taxable income of less than $37,000
- Lodge a tax return and have at least 10% of your income from employment or business
Do I Need to Submit Forms to Receive LISTO ?
No application is required. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will typically calculate your your entitlement and pay it directly into your super fund once your personal tax return and SMSF annual returns are lodged.
Other consideration
If you’ve reached preservation age and retired, you may request the payment be made directly to you via the ATO as follows:
- Lodge a request via MyGov account
- Submit an Application for payment of ATO-held superannuation money
Low-income earners might also be eligible for Government co-contribution. Please click here for more information.
Upcoming Changes to the LISTO Policy
From 1 July 2027, the Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset (LISTO) will be boosted to give more support to low-income earners.
Key changes include:
- Income eligibility threshold will increase from $37,000 to $45,000.
- Maximum LISTO payment will rise from $500 to $810.
More details from the Tax Office about the Low Income Super Tax Offset here.