Latest News
PAYGW reminders for activity statement lodgments
The ATO will be sending certain employers a reminder to lodge their activity statements. The reminder will include the amounts the ATO has on record for them, such as: PAYG withheld amounts reported through Single Touch Payroll; and any other pre-filled amounts, including GST instalments and PAYG instalments (instalment amount option). The ATO’s reminders are […]
ATO AFCX data-matching program
The ATO will acquire relevant account and transaction data (data-matching) from the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange (‘AFCX’) for the 2025 to 2027 income years, including the following: Client identification details (names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, identity verification document details, IP addresses, etc); and Bank account transaction details (bank account details, transaction date and […]
Small Business Superannuation Clearing House is closing
The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (‘SBSCH’) will close on 1 July 2026. Editor: The SBSCH is a free online service provided by the Australian Government through the ATO. The SBSCH can be used by employers to pay superannuation for all their employees through a single payment. The SBSCH will then distribute the money to […]
Getting the main residence exemption right
The ATO has the following tips for taxpayers in relation to the CGT main residence exemption. They should consider if they have bought or disposed of property in the past income year. If they have sold property, were they using it solely as their primary place of residence, earning income from it (rental or business), […]
Bill to reduce student debt now law
Legislation has recently been enacted which delivers on the 2025/26 Federal Budget announcement to reduce student debts. Pursuant to this legislation: there is a one-off 20% reduction to Higher Education Loan Program debts and other student loans that were incurred on or before 1 June 2025; the minimum repayment threshold is increased from $54,435 in […]
ATO to include tax ‘debts on hold’ in taxpayer account balances
From August 2025, the ATO is progressively including ‘debts on hold’ in relevant taxpayer ATO account balances. Editor: A ‘debt on hold’ is an outstanding tax debt where the ATO has previously paused debt collection actions. Tax debts will generally be placed on hold where the ATO decides it is not cost effective to collect […]
Paying Super to Backpackers
The ATO has issued the following reminders to employers, that backpackers on working holidays: are considered temporary residents, and are entitled to superannuation guarantee if they are paid $450 or more before tax in a calendar month; and who leave Australia can claim the super paid to them as a Departing Australia superannuation payment (‘DASP’), […]
ATO Tax Tips For Small Business
To lend a ‘helping hand’ to small businesses to get their tax right this Tax Time, the ATO has identified the top 3 issues they see when small businesses lodge their tax returns: Failing to report all of their income; Not having the necessary records to prove small business expenses claims; and Claiming private expenses […]
Cash In Hand Payments To Workers No Longer Tax Deductible
The ATO has reminded employers that any cash in hand payments made to workers from 1 July 2019 will not be tax deductible. ‘Cash in hand’ refers to cash payments to employees that do not comply with pay as you go (‘PAYG’) withholding obligations. Payments made to contractors where the contractor does not provide an […]
Is it a Hobby or a Business?
If you are accepting money in the form of a sale for a product or service, it is important you determine whether you are running a business or if it is simply a hobby. We’ve listed below the important details to help you understand them. Running a Business The below characteristics generally indicate you are running […]
Federal Budget 2018 – 2019 : Tax Changes for Individuals
The Australian Government introduced new tax measures in the 2018 – 2019 Federal Budget as part of their Personal Income Tax Plan to help Australian Taxpayers by providing them with some ongoing & gradual tax relief. As a reminder, here are some changes the Australian Government have made which will affect your 2019 income tax […]
Single Touch Payroll (STP) Are You Ready?
If you’re an employer and have 20 or more employees, you should already know and be in the process of Single Touch Payroll. If you have 19 or less employees, you will be required to report through Single Touch Payroll to the ATO from 1st July 2019. Many new employers may be scratching their heads […]