Income protection insurance premiums are generally tax deductible in Australia when the policy is held outside superannuation and is designed to replace income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. The deduction is claimed on your individual tax return in the year the premium is paid.
The Core Rule
| Policy type | Tax treatment |
|---|---|
| Income protection held outside super | Premiums are deductible |
| Income protection held inside super | Premiums are not deductible to you (the fund may claim them) |
| Life insurance (outside super) | Not deductible |
| Total and permanent disability (TPD) outside super | Generally not deductible |
| Trauma/critical illness insurance | Not deductible |
Only income protection insurance — specifically designed to replace lost income — qualifies. Other types of personal insurance generally do not.
Why Inside vs Outside Super Matters
If your income protection is held inside your superannuation fund:
- The fund pays the premium from your super balance
- The premium deduction is taken by the fund (not you)
- You do not claim anything on your personal return
If your policy is held outside super (a standalone policy with an insurer):
- You pay the premium from your after-tax income
- You claim the premium as a personal tax deduction
Many people hold income protection both inside and outside super. Only the outside-super premium appears on your personal return.
How to Check Whether Your Policy Is Inside or Outside Super
Check your policy documents or contact your insurer. If you pay for the policy from your bank account, it is almost certainly outside super. If the premium comes from your super balance, it is inside super.
What You Can Claim
- The full annual premium (or premiums paid during the year) on qualifying policies held outside super
- The premium amount is typically shown on your annual policy statement from the insurer
You cannot claim:
- The portion of a premium that relates to a capital component (some older policies bundled trauma cover with income protection — only the income replacement portion is deductible)
- Premiums for life insurance or TPD attached to the same policy (apportion if your policy document provides a breakdown)
Tax Treatment of Benefits Received
If you make a claim and receive income protection payments:
- The benefit payments are assessable income — you pay tax on them at your marginal rate
- The deductibility of premiums and the taxability of benefits are two sides of the same arrangement
This is different from, say, trauma insurance payments (not assessable, not deductible).
How to Claim
In myTax, claim under Other deductions — income protection insurance premium. Enter the amount from your annual premium statement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a receipt for income protection premiums? Yes. Keep your annual premium statement or policy renewal notice from the insurer as evidence.
I pay monthly premiums. Do I claim the total for the year? Yes — add up all monthly payments made during the financial year (1 July to 30 June) and claim the total.
My employer pays for my income protection. Can I still claim? No. If your employer pays the premium on your behalf, it is not your expense. The premium may appear as a fringe benefit on your income statement, depending on how it is structured.
Is there a maximum I can claim? No maximum. The full premium for a qualifying policy is deductible. Policies covering higher incomes will have higher premiums and correspondingly higher deductions.
This article provides general tax information. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a registered tax agent or financial adviser. Find a tax agent through the Tax Practitioners Board register.