If you have workers, don't forget that their super guarantee contributions for the last quarter is due 28 January 2018. If you have not already done so, you need to pay a minimum of 9.5% of each eligible employee’s ordinary time earnings (gross wages) in super to a complying fund by the due date.

Unlike other payment types you may make in business, super contributions are only counted as paid when the super fund receives them. That’s why it’s best to make any payments well before 28 January to ensure they reach the super fund on time.

Employers who fail to pay the minimum superannuation guarantee contributions by this date must pay the superannuation guarantee charge (SGC) and lodge a Superannuation guarantee charge statement - quarterly by 28 February 2018.  SGC is not tax deductible.
​
If you're a business with 19 or fewer employees, or have an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million, you can use the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House to save time and avoid the super guarantee charge.
​
It’s fast and easy to use because you pay all of your super contributions in one transaction and the clearing house will distribute your payment to the various super funds on your behalf.
​
Start saving time by using the clearing house this quarter.

For further details please click here.

Employers make sure you have supplied your workers payment summaries (previously known as Group Certificates) by 14 July 2017. 

Lodgement of these payment summaries to the Australian Tax Office is not due until 14 August 2017.

​Click here for further details about when payment summaries are required.

The holiday season could mean a busy time for your business and you may need an extra set of hands to see you in to the new year. Whether this means hiring someone for a few days or a couple of weeks, you’ll need to work out if they’re employees or contractors to get their tax and super right.

The fact is both employees and contractors can be hired for:

• casual, temporary, on call and infrequent work
• busy periods
• short jobs, specific tasks and projects.

How do you work it out?

Use [the ATO's] Employee/contractor decision tool to get a quick and reliable answer. Based on your answers to some simple questions, the tool will give you certainty about whether your short-term workers are employees or contractors and what this means for your business.

• You need to be paying and reporting super electronically using the new SuperStream format by 28 October 2016.

If you're currently using cheque or direct deposit, you need to make the switch now.

Even if you're already paying by EFT or BPAY directly to super funds, you may still need to make some changes to your reporting to get across the line.

Get help with our SuperStream webinar - sign up today!

We're running free webinars designed to help you understand SuperStream and the steps you need to take to implement SuperStream.

Next webinars:

• Wednesday 5 October 2016 10:00am AEST
• Saturday 22 October 2016 11:00am AEST.

Small Business Superannuation Clearing House
A free service that distributes super contributions to employees’ nominated funds in one transaction. You will meet SuperStream standards when you use the clearing house service.

Find out about:

• SuperStream employer checklist
• Using the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House

Register for Xero Auto Super if your subscription is Business Standard or higher

Using Xero Auto Super 

Send us an email or give us a call to discuss setting this up - we are always here to assist :)

As an employer, you must give each of your employees a payment summary at the end of the financial year. The payment summary must show the payments you have made to them and the amounts you withheld from those payments. Payment summaries should be provided to your employees by no later than 14 July.

It is important that you provide payment summaries to all your employees, even if you were not required to withhold any tax. You are still required to include these payments in your payment summary annual report that you send to us.

​If you would like assistance with preparing your Employee Payment Summaries make sure you contact us now.

Making sense of workers' compensation is a webinar aimed at small businesses.

In just 20 minutes you can find out why WorkCover insurance is so important, and how it protects your business and your workers.

A copy of the recording is available here.

Our workers' compensation accident insurance policy renewal season starts on 1 July.

We've outlined three steps to help employers declare their wages so they can have peace of mind that their workers and business are covered when they renew their policy from 1 July. 

Find out more here.

WorkCover Connect, the online service for Queensland businesses to manage workers’ compensation, is about to get even better.

From 4 July you can create task reminders, contacts and file notes, save your own resource tools, plus access new reports and analytics to help your business.
Login or register here.

If you run a small business that has 19 or fewer employees, you have until 30 June 2016 to start using SuperStream.

With SuperStream you will only need to make one electronic transaction to cover all your employees' super contributions. It's easier and will save you time.

The ATO is running free webinars to help you learn about SuperStream and understand your options. To ensure all employers have an opportunity to attend one of these webinars, the ATO is scheduling more, including on weekends. The ATO will continue to schedule extra webinars as they book out.

Find out more by using the SuperStream employer step by step checklist.

You may think that your workers are contractors because they invoice you – but this is a myth.

​Receiving an invoice from a worker is not a deciding factor on whether they’re an employee or contractor. You need to consider the whole working arrangement so that you are clear on your tax and super responsibilities for them.

So how do you get it right with your workers?

• Employee/contractor decision tool 

Use the ATO's Employee/contractor decision tool to get a quick and reliable answer. The tool will tell you if your worker is an employee or contractor for tax and super purposes and what this means for your business.

• Webinar

Register for the ATO's free Employee or contractor webinar to help you understand your obligations in more detail – the sessions are interactive if you have questions you’d like to ask.

Find out about:
Employee or contractor

With the end of financial year fast approaching, this one-hour webinar is a timely reminder for employers about your end of year tax obligations.

You can find out about:

• getting ready
• key dates
• tips to help get it right.

Booking your spot is easy. Find the session you’re interested in and click on your preferred date and time. You’ll be taken to our service provider page (Redback) to finalise your booking.

​Click here to find a day and time that suits you.

Are you thinking of starting a new business? We would love to help you get there.

Not sure how to structure your business and want to know what your options are - contact us! We are experienced in setting up entities relevant to your requirements including administration support; establishing an online accounting system at a discounted price; provide you with training and on-going support on how to use your online accounts; preparation of cashflow and profit budgets; setup your payroll and ATO requirements; we can steer you through your compliance requirements; we can provide you with domain names and webhosting at a discounted price; we can offer insurances to cover your business; and many more services.

​The ATO has details that you might want to read about right here.

​You can also look at the Queensland Government website for further information in regard to starting a new business here.

A few other websites to consider for further requirements/research:

AusIndustry - for non-compulsory uniform registration (to ensure your staff are entitled to a tax deduction and you don't pay Fringe Benefit Tax)

AusTrade

Business.gov.au​

Australia.gov.au

Government of Western Australia - even though this information is in the main for WA residents it still provides quite a wealth of knowledge.​

National Innovation & Science Agenda 

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman