Help attract and retain talent in remote areas, with benefits that help maximise their earnings.
Increase the appeal of living and working in a remote area by letting employees salary package certain associated costs, and keep more of their hard-earned pay as a result.
Benefits you choose to make available to employees will depend on your tax status and organisation's goals, but could include those below.
Employees could salary package the interest portion of their repayments as long the mortgage is for the usual home they live in (primary residence).
Rental costs can be packaged if the lease is in an employee's name and they are 100% responsible for it. This includes properties rented from you, their employer.
Employees who salary package rent or mortgage interest as remote area benefits can also claim the cost of utilities like gas and electricity.
If employees buy a home in a remote location or have bought land to build one as their primary residence, they could salary package the associated purchase costs. Costs for a house extension can also be packaged.
Organisations in the industries below could offer special tax-saving benefits to employees in remote locations.
This is general information only. Before entering into any salary packaging or novated leasing arrangement, employees should consider their own objectives, financial situation and needs, and seek appropriate legal, financial or other professional advice based upon their own particular circumstances. The availability of benefits is determined by the employer. Conditions and fees apply. Smartsalary Pty Ltd, ABN 24 096 796 100, a Smart™ company.
1. Visit this ATO page to see if your area qualifies as 'remote' or ask your employer. Like all salary packaged items, you can’t claim an income tax deduction on packaged remote area expenses. Smart is unable to make your rent, mortgage interest, or utility payments on your behalf – salary packaged amounts will be reimbursed to your nominated bank account.
