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.
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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.
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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.
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Start saving time by using the clearing house this quarter.

For further details please click here.

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 :)

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 Easter approaching you may be looking at hiring extra workers. Be sure to avoid myths that can leave you exposed to problems for your business.

Even if you’re hiring someone for a few hours or a couple of days at a time, you need to work out whether they’re employees or contractors to get their tax and super requirements right.

Both employees and contractors can be hired for:
casual, temporary, on call and infrequent work
busy periods
short jobs, specific tasks and projects.

So how do you work it out?

An easy way to get an answer that you can rely on is by using our employee/contractor decision tool. The tool will tell you if your worker is an employee or contractor and you’ll be clear on your tax and super responsibilities for them.

You can also register for our free Employee or contractor webinar to help you understand your working arrangements in more detail.

For more details please click here.

For a direct link to the decision tool please click here.​

To register for a webinar in regard to this subject the direct link is here.

Did you know you can now enrol your voiceprint and use your voice to verify your identity using the ATO app? So logging in to manage your BAS and PAYG instalments through our Online services for individuals and sole traders is now faster and easier than ever before.

Using your voiceprint saves you time, with:

• a quick and easy spoken phrase to log in
• no need to type your myGov login details into the app
• no more security questions when you phone us.

Enrolling your voiceprint is easy. Just follow these simple steps.

1. Download the latest version of the ATO app
2. Select ‘Individuals’
3. Go to Online services
4. Log into your myGov account
5. Follow the prompts.

The next time you log into our Online services for individuals and sole traders via the app or phone us, you simply speak a phrase to verify your identity using your voice.

Voice authentication is a secure way to protect your information. We analyse up to 120 characteristics such as pitch and tone when we verify a voiceprint – so it works even if you have a cold.

Download the ATO app and enrol your voiceprint today.

Get it done:
The ATO app is available from Google Play, the Windows Phone Store or the Apple App Store.
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Find out more:
Download the ATO app
Sole trader business structure.

​For further details please click here.

Do you know one of the easiest ways to help your business is to lodge your BAS on time, every time?

This includes lodging your BAS by the due date even if you can’t pay on time or you have nothing to report.

Not only can you avoid late lodgment penalties of $180 or more, you can also better manage your payments and keep your debt from growing.

Here are some handy tips to help you lodge and pay your BAS on time:

• set yourself due date reminders using our key dates tools in the ATO app or the Small business newsroom
• lodge your quarterly BAS online to gain a two week deferral of your due date
• work out how much you’ll owe early on so you have more time to set aside your payment
• pre-pay amounts towards your expected tax bill or pay early if you know you’ll be away on the due date.

If you need support with your payments you can phone us on 13 28 66. We’ll work with you to find the best possible solution for your situation.

Make the right move for your business and start 2016 on the right track. Lodge your BAS on time, every time this year.

Next step:
Download the key dates relevant to you from the Small business newsroom calendar or get the ATO app to use the key dates tool on the go.

​For further details please click here.

If you have workers, don't forget that their super guarantee payment for the last the quarter is due 28 January 2016. If you have not already, you need to pay a minimum of 9.5% of each eligible employee’s ordinary time earnings (OTE) 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.

If you're a business with less than 20 employees, or have an aggregated turnover of less than $2 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.

With only two quarters left until SuperStream becomes mandatory, employers are being urged to cross SuperStream off their ‘to-do’ list ahead of the 30 June 2016 deadline.

It takes a little time to set up, but over a quarter of a million employers who have made the change are already enjoying (on average) a 70% reduction in the time they spend on super. That equates to approximately 1.5 hours each cycle! If you haven't done so already your options to get ready include:

• upgrading your current payroll software - we recommend using Xero which has the add on 'Auto Super'
• using your super fund’s online system - for example AustralianSuper has 'QuickSuper'
• using a messaging portal - a gateway service normally provided for SMSFs
• using a clearing house - like the ATOs free Small business superannuation clearing house.

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For further details please click here.