First Home Super Saver · Calculator

FHSS Calculator

Estimate your 2026-27 First Home Super Saver release, ATO withholding and FHSS advantage against bank savings. Uses the $15,000 annual and $50,000 lifetime contribution limits.

$50k lifetime cap30% tax offset

01 —INPUTS

Planning tax year

2026-27

Uses current resident tax rates and the current-quarter SIC estimate.

Annual Contribution (per person)

Voluntary FHSS contribution only; employer SG does not count.

Years of Contributions

Contribution Type

85% released, taxed at 15% instead of marginal rate

Taxable Income Before FHSS Contribution

Per person. Used to estimate the contribution-phase tax difference.

Expected Income at Withdrawal (optional)

Your income in the year you withdraw FHSS funds

Eligible Contributions Already Counted (optional)

Per person—not your super balance or prior associated earnings.

Bank Savings Rate (%)

Change this assumption to match the savings account you would use instead.

Calculate for a couple with the same inputs

02 —RESULTS

Next best steps

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Enter your contribution details to see FHSS benefits

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How the FHSS scheme works

→ Contribution treatment: Eligible concessional contributions are generally taxed at 15% in super; Division 293 or other contribution rules can change the overall benefit

→ 30% tax offset on release: The assessable FHSS released amount receives a non-refundable 30% tax offset in the year you request release

→ Deemed earnings: The ATO calculates associated earnings from the first day of each contribution month using quarterly SIC rates; the current July–September 2026 rate is 7.43%

FHSS contribution limits

Limit type	Amount	Notes
Per year	$15,000	Per person, from voluntary contributions only
Lifetime	$50,000	Per person, contributions made since 1 July 2017
Couple combined	$100,000	Each partner can access their own $50,000 limit

The 85% rule & withdrawal tax

For an eligible concessional contribution, 85% of the contribution counts toward the releasable contribution amount. The ATO then adds the associated earnings calculated on those releasable contributions. Example: a $15,000 eligible concessional contribution contributes $12,750 to the releasable amount, before associated earnings are added.

Release component	Included in payment	Included in assessable FHSS amount
Eligible concessional contributions	85%	Yes
Eligible non-concessional contributions	100%	No
Associated earnings	100%	Yes

The ATO generally withholds from the assessable amount using your expected marginal rate including Medicare levy, less the 30% offset. If it cannot estimate that rate, it withholds 17%. Your final tax is reconciled when you lodge.

FHSS vs regular savings — example

Saving $15,000 per year for 3 years on a $90,000 salary:

Method	FHSS scheme	Bank account
Gross savings per year	$15,000	$15,000
Tax on contributions	15% ($2,250)	32% ($4,800)
Net into savings	$12,750	$10,200
After 3 years + estimated earnings	$42,984	$32,090
Estimated final release tax impact	$860	$0
Estimated after-tax amount	$42,124	$32,090
Estimated FHSS advantage	$10,034

Assumptions: contributions are spread monthly, the current 7.43% SIC and a 4.5% bank rate stay constant, and Division 293, HELP and Medicare levy surcharge are excluded. Change the bank rate in the calculator for your own comparison.

Eligibility & timeframes

Eligibility requirements

→ Must be 18 or older to request a FHSS determination

→ Must never have owned property in Australia (including investment property)

→ Must never have previously requested a FHSS release

→ Australian citizenship or tax residency is not required

→ Must intend to live in the property for at least 6 months within the first 12 months

Important timeframes

→ Request a FHSS determination from the ATO before requesting a release

→ You have 12 months from requesting a release to sign a contract

→ For determinations made from 15 September 2024, request release within 90 days after signing if you did not request it before the contract

→ Notify the ATO within 90 days of signing when using a determination made from 15 September 2024

→ Funds typically take 15–20 business days to reach your bank account

Combine FHSS with state first home buyer benefits

FHSS works alongside state government first home buyer schemes. Use our stamp duty calculators to see your total savings:

→ NSW First Home Buyer Stamp Duty: Full exemption up to $800,000

→ VIC First Home Buyer Stamp Duty: Full exemption up to $600,000

→ QLD First Home Buyer Stamp Duty: Concessions for homes up to $800,000

→ WA First Home Buyer Stamp Duty: Full exemption up to $500,000

→ TAS First Home Buyer Stamp Duty: Duty exemption ended 30 Jun 2026

→ ACT First Home Buyer Stamp Duty: Full exemption up to $1,020,000

Next step before you rely on the FHSS result

Most FHSS mistakes happen after the contribution decision, when buyers leave release timing too late.

Need to avoid a release-timing mistake?

Check when the assessable FHSS amount hits your return, how withholding works, and why signing first can create pressure.

Read the FHSS release explainer →

Planning your first home purchase?

Compare stamp duty concessions, grants, and FHSS savings across all Australian states in one place.

View the First-Home Buyer Guide →

FAQ

How much can I withdraw under FHSS?

Up to $50,000 of eligible voluntary contributions per person can count toward FHSS, subject to a $15,000 limit in each financial year. The releasable contribution component is 85% of eligible concessional contributions or 100% of eligible non-concessional contributions, plus associated earnings. Each member of a couple has their own limits.

Why do I only get 85% of my contributions?

When you make concessional (before-tax) contributions to super, 15% is withheld as contributions tax. The remaining 85% is what's available for release under FHSS. This is still beneficial because 15% tax is much lower than most people's marginal tax rate.

How is the FHSS withdrawal taxed?

The assessable FHSS released amount receives a 30% non-refundable tax offset. The ATO generally withholds at your expected marginal rate including Medicare levy, less 30%, or at 17% if it cannot estimate your rate. Your tax return reconciles the final liability using your actual income for the year you requested release.

Can couples both use FHSS?

Yes, if you're buying a home with your partner, you can each use your own FHSS entitlements. Each person can contribute up to $15,000 per year and $50,000 lifetime, meaning a couple could potentially access up to $100,000 (before tax) for their deposit.

Is FHSS worth it?

It depends on your contribution type, income, timing, bank alternative and whether extra taxes such as Division 293 apply. The calculator compares the estimated after-tax FHSS result with the same saving effort outside super, but an ATO FHSS determination is the authoritative release amount.

What are 'associated earnings' in FHSS?

Associated earnings are a deemed amount calculated by the ATO from the first day of the month each eligible contribution was made, using the applicable shortfall interest charge rates. The July–September 2026 SIC rate is 7.43% a year and compounds daily. The calculator spreads planned contributions monthly and holds that current rate constant, so your determination will differ.

Tax Accuracy & Sources

Reviewed: 15 July 2026 · Tax year: 2026-27

This 2026-27 planning estimate supports concessional and non-concessional FHSS contributions. It assumes monthly contributions, starts earnings from the first day of each contribution month, holds the current 7.43% SIC constant and estimates tax for an Australian resident individual. The ATO determination applies the SIC rates for the relevant periods. The estimate excludes Division 293, HELP, Medicare levy surcharge, spouse-specific tax circumstances, contribution-cap interactions, debts offset by the ATO and state or territory buyer benefits.