PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE

Applying personal, business and refundable tax offsets for 2026–27.

Professional reference and assessment | 2026–27

Scope and reliance

This material summarises the principal tax offsets, refundable credits and related income measures relevant to individuals and businesses for the 2026–27 income year. It also explains selected government payments and income definitions only to the extent that they affect tax offset calculations. Detailed income tax rates, Medicare levy thresholds, assessable income, exempt income and employment termination payment rules are addressed only where necessary to apply the offset rules. Entitlement depends on the taxpayer’s circumstances, statutory eligibility and the indexed amounts applicable to the income year. This material does not constitute taxation, legal, superannuation or financial advice.

Course overview

The material develops a structured approach to identifying, calculating and substantiating tax offsets and related government measures for 2026–27. It covers personal offsets, government payment offsets, franking credits, private health insurance, employment and foreign tax offsets, business incentives, superannuation support and the statutory income measures used to test entitlement.

The content is arranged into five knowledge blocks supported by native Word tables, calculations, independent scenarios, two compact flowcharts and a final assessment. It is suitable for tax agents, Business Activity Statement (BAS) agents, public practitioners and other professionals who require a practical method for reviewing offset claims and related income tests.

Course objectives

Explain how tax offsets differ from deductions and distinguish refundable from non-refundable offsets.
Apply the principal personal, dependant, government payment, zone and seniors offsets for 2026–27.
Review franking tax offsets, private health insurance rebates and reportable evidence requirements.
Apply employment, foreign income and business-related offset rules using the relevant caps and thresholds.
Select the correct statutory income measure and maintain evidence supporting offset and benefit calculations.

Learning Outcomes

You should be able to identify the taxpayer or entity entitled to an offset and determine whether the offset is refundable.
You should be able to calculate the low income, zone and seniors and pensioners tax offsets using the applicable thresholds.
You should be able to classify franking, private health insurance, employment termination, foreign income and business incentive outcomes.
You should be able to apply the principal superannuation offsets and government contribution thresholds.
You should be able to choose the correct income definition, reconcile pre-filled information and document the final professional conclusion.

Final professional check

A tax offset conclusion depends on statutory entitlement, the correct income measure, the annual amount and reliable evidence. Do not rely solely on software calculation, pre-filled information or a prior-year claim.

CPD/CPE compliance mapping

The mapping below identifies how the learning outcomes align with common technical and professional development expectations. It does not determine the content or replace the requirements of any professional or regulatory body. CPD/CPE compliance mapping

Lesson	CPA Australia	CA ANZ	IPA	Tax Practitioners Board
Offset foundations and personal relief	Australian taxation knowledge, offset calculations and individual income tests.	Tax technical competence, statutory interpretation and evidence-based application.	Applied individual taxation and professional judgement.	Tax law knowledge relevant to competent tax agent services and accurate return preparation.
Government, zone and senior offsets	Government payment treatment, zone residence and SAPTO calculations.	Application of personal tax concessions and client-specific eligibility tests.	Practical taxation knowledge for individuals and retirees.	Competent treatment of personal offsets, evidence and annual thresholds.
Franking and private health adjustments	Dividend imputation, private health tiers and reconciliation skills.	Integrity rules, documentation and income-tested rebate analysis.	Applied investment and private health taxation knowledge.	Accurate treatment of franking credits, rebates and pre-filled information.
Employment, foreign and business offsets	Employment, international and business incentive tax knowledge.	Application of caps, foreign tax relief and entity-based incentives.	Business taxation and professional judgement.	Competent application of ETP, FITO, R&D and small business offset rules.
Superannuation and integrated review	Superannuation support, statutory income measures and quality control.	Integrated tax analysis, documentation and professional competence.	Practical compliance and superannuation-related taxation knowledge.	Competent tax services, data integrity, lodgement preparation and record retention.