What is 'income splitting' in tax strategy?

Income splitting refers to the strategy of distributing income among family members, particularly those in lower tax brackets, in order to minimize the overall tax liability for the family unit. By allocating income to relatives who may not utilize their full personal allowance or who are subject to lower tax rates, the taxable income is reduced for the high earner, leading to a potentially significant tax saving.

This method is commonly used in situations where income can be legally allocated to spouses or children, allowing the family to take advantage of multiple personal allowances and lower tax thresholds effectively. It is particularly beneficial when one family member is in a much higher tax bracket compared to others, thereby maximizing the potential tax advantages available through income distribution.

Other options represent misunderstandings of tax strategies. Increasing tax rates for high earners is not a technique associated with income splitting, but rather reflects tax legislation in certain jurisdictions. Hiding income from tax authorities is illegal and contravenes tax compliance obligations, while deferring tax payments generally involves different mechanisms like tax deferment strategies, which do not have a direct connection to the concept of income splitting.

Thus, the correct understanding of income splitting within tax strategy is centered on its aim to legally distribute income to reduce the overall tax burden for a family.