€115,000 maximum tax-relievable contributions for pension purposes

clerk

Registered User
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Totally confused on this.....

per Revenue leaflet it states...

Contribution limit
[FONT=Verdana,Verdana][FONT=Verdana,Verdana]The annual earnings limit which (along with age-related percentage limits) determine maximum tax-relievable contributions for pension purposes is being reduced from €150,000 to €115,000 for 2011. The annual earnings limit for 2010 will also be deemed to be €115,000 for the purpose of determining how much of a pension contribution paid by an individual in 2011 will be treated as paid in 2010, where the individual elects under existing rules to have it so treated. [/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana,Verdana][FONT=Verdana,Verdana]What does this mean in plain English.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana,Verdana][FONT=Verdana,Verdana]Does it mean that someone earning over €115,000 in 2011 loses all pension relief over the €115,000 threshold ?[/FONT][/FONT]

Also, all this stuff about " paid by an individual in 2011 will be treated as paid in 2010, " What is that all about ? Totally confused.

Sorry if this has been dealt with already but cannot find any thred on it.

Thanks.


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Firstly it means that the maximum income an individual can use to determine his/her tax relieveable personal contribution is limited to 15%/20%/25%/30%/35% or 40% (depending on age) of €115,000. So if you are earning over €115,000, any contribution based on income over €115,000 is not tax allowable.
The second point is saying that if you make a contribution in 2011 but seek to backdate it for tax purposes to 2010, then the €115,000 limit will apply. Typically Self Employed who make their tax returns in Oct for the previous tax year can invest a contribution in Oct but seek to have it set against the previous tax year. If they do that in Oct 2011, then the €115,000 cap will apply even if the contribution is deemed to be for the 2010 tax year.
 
Firstly it means that the maximum income an individual can use to determine his/her tax relieveable personal contribution is limited to 15%/20%/25%/30%/35% or 40% (depending on age) of €115,000. So if you are earning over €115,000, any contribution based on income over €115,000 is not tax allowable.
The second point is saying that if you make a contribution in 2011 but seek to backdate it for tax purposes to 2010, then the €115,000 limit will apply. Typically Self Employed who make their tax returns in Oct for the previous tax year can invest a contribution in Oct but seek to have it set against the previous tax year. If they do that in Oct 2011, then the €115,000 cap will apply even if the contribution is deemed to be for the 2010 tax year.

Ok, thanks for the reply.

When you say " any contribution based on income over €115,000 is not tax allowable. ". I think that refers to the % * factor depending on age, capped at €115k. I understand that. For AVCs and the like.

But does the cap mean for a person paying a 5% Employee contribution that over the €115,000 threshold they loss all their pension tax relief on their Employee pension contribution ? Say for a person on €150k and not self employed.

i.e. on the 5% of €35k ( €150k - €115k ) = €1,750 in this example, they get no tax relief for their Employee pension contribution.
 
Irrespective of actual earnings, you will not get relief on more than the age related % x €115,000.
So if you are aged 45 and the age related limit is 25%, the max tax relieveable contribution is 25% of €115,000 = €28,750. If you earn say €200,000 but contribute 10% to a pension plan, all is fully tax allowable as it is less than €28,750. But if you contribute 15% of €200,000 (€30,000) you are only allowed refief on €28,750.
 
Irrespective of actual earnings, you will not get relief on more than the age related % x €115,000.
So if you are aged 45 and the age related limit is 25%, the max tax relieveable contribution is 25% of €115,000 = €28,750. If you earn say €200,000 but contribute 10% to a pension plan, all is fully tax allowable as it is less than €28,750. But if you contribute 15% of €200,000 (€30,000) you are only allowed refief on €28,750.

Thanks that answers my Q but to be honest I was advised differently by a person who should know their stuff in a professional capacity.

I was actually of the opinion that you have outlined.

Thanks very much:)
 
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