Category: News

When it comes to taxation, there are many acronyms and it can sometimes feel like deciphering a foreign language. One term you might come across is “PAYG Instalments” or PAYGI. If you’ve recently been notified about entering the PAYG Instalment system and find yourself scratching your head, you’re in the right place.

PAYG stands for ‘Pay As You Go.’ These instalments are essentially a method employed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to ensure taxpayers don’t get caught off guard with a hefty tax bill at the end of the year.

The concept is fairly simple. The ATO looks at your previous year’s taxable income and adjusts it for the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This adjusted amount provides an estimate of the total tax you might owe the next year and they make you pay it quarterly. Think of it as a systematic approach to tax payment, ensuring there are no surprises if your income stays consistent.

Practically, it may not be that straightforward. Say you enter the PAYG Instalment system midway through the financial year, like in December. Adjustments will be made to ensure you pay the correct amount up to that point. For instance, since December represents half the financial year, your instalment for that quarter might be double the typical amount to catch your payments up to date.

Things change though right? They say that variety is the spice of life, and income is no exception. If you’re anticipating a dip (or spike) in earnings this year, the system is flexible. You can vary the instalment, but remember, this needs to be done before the payment’s due date. This adjustment involves estimating the tax you expect to owe for the year and paying instalments based on that projection.

Wondering if this applies to you? PAYG Instalments typically concern:

• Individuals reaping income from investments or rent.
• Companies, trusts, and even super funds under specific circumstances.
• Business owners or individuals earning beyond the regular wages or salary from their business.

Understanding PAYG Instalments is crucial for effective financial planning and avoiding unexpected year-end tax burdens. Whether you’re a seasoned investor, a budding entrepreneur, or somewhere in between, being proactive with these instalments ensures a smoother financial journey.

So, the next time you come across the term “PAYG Instalment,” you’ll not only know what it means but also how to navigate it. With the right knowledge, the world of finance becomes a lot less daunting and we love being the advisor for our clients.  If you want a new accountant we would love to chat just book in with us using our link above.

Managing superannuation is crucial for your business’s financial health. With ongoing legislative evolutions and climbing superannuation contribution rates, it’s paramount that employers stay abreast of the latest updates.

Never fear though, we are here to help you navigate through superannuation’s intricacies, potential pitfalls, and compliance strategies. Please note: while this article provides general knowledge, specific superannuation issues should be addressed with your tax agent. Feel free to contact our office for tailored assistance.

What is Superannuation?

Superannuation is a system designed for retirement savings. Regular contributions are made into superannuation funds by both employers and employees (if they choose to). These funds are then invested, growing over time to create a retirement nest egg.

When and How to Pay Superannuation?

As an employer, you must pay your employees a Superannuation Guarantee (SG) as a part of their remuneration.  As of 1 July 2023, the Superannuation Guarantee rate is 11% and by 1 July 2025, it will hit 12%.

Superannuation is always due on the 28^th of the month following the end of a quarter set these dates (also below for you) in your calendar to make sure you are paying on time. If the date falls on a public holiday or a weekend, the date due is the next business day.

You are required to pay your superannuation via a clearing house as an employer.  If you use accounting software such as Xero, MYOB, or Quickbooks, they usually have a clearing house incorporated into the software.  For those of you with no accounting software, the ATO Small Business Clearing House is also a free option.

So I paid super late – what’s the big deal?

Now I hate to be the bearer of bad news but there are serious consequences to late payments or non-payment (think director penalty notices).

Late superannuation payments are no longer deductible for tax purposes.  What if you made the payment though? Doesn’t matter.  You can’t claim it in your tax return.

Furthermore, if you fail to pay superannuation on time, you’ll find yourself having to lodge an SGC (Superannuation Guarantee Charge) Statement. These forms need to be lodged with the ATO directly and they charge an admin fee of $20 per employee per quarter.  Interest on unpaid or late paid superannuation accrues until the form is lodged which at the moment is 10% per annum.

Ok, but how will they know?

Thanks to data automatically gathered via super clearing houses and Single Touch Payroll reporting, the ATO doesn’t rely on whistleblowers to notify them of unpaid super anymore. This has put employers under more scrutiny than ever and the ATO is certainly ramping up a more proactive approach to this type of compliance than we have seen before. Erratic superannuation payments can also flag your business with the ATO and potentially trigger an ATO audit.

Are SGC Statements hard to complete?

Depending on the information and your systems they can be but the ATO’s website has some great tools to help you with completing these.  Your bookkeeper or accountant can also assist you with this.

What’s coming?

The Australian Government has announced that they intend for employers to pay superannuation at the same time as salary and wages.  Whilst this isn’t yet law, it’s on the horizon and if you are a business that relies on the quarterly due date for cashflow purposes, you have some time to adjust.

Key Takeaways

1. Stay Informed: With superannuation contribution rates increasing annually, employers must keep pace with changes and ensure compliance.
2. Timely Payments: Make the most of your accounting system such as Xero, MYOB, Quickbooks, or the ATO Small Business Clearing House to ensure on-time payments – key dates 28 October, 28 January, 28 April, 28 July.

Superannuation isn’t merely a checkbox—if you’re an employer you have an obligation to your employees for their superannuation.  If you can’t be across this, you must have a team around you that supports your business and helps you with your superannuation compliance.  Contact us today to ensure your business is equipped to navigate the complexities of superannuation seamlessly.

You’ll find most experts agree on one single thing in business: cash is king. While many metrics gauge the health of a business, few make or break a business as quickly as poor cash flow management.

Picture this: a thriving company with a steady stream of income suddenly faces bankruptcy. Sounds impossible, right? Wrong. Sadly, this is the reality for many businesses that overlook the pivotal role of cash flow.

At its core, cash flow represents the movement of money in and out of your business. It’s distinct from profit, which is what remains after expenses are subtracted from revenue. You might be making a profit on paper, but if your cash isn’t flowing efficiently, your business could be in trouble.

So how do you survive in business? Regularly track your cash flow. From ensuring that salaries are paid on time to procuring essential supplies, cash flow needs to be the lifeblood of your business.

A thriving cash flow often signals a healthy business. But here’s the kicker: even profitable businesses can have cash flow hiccups sometimes. When the inflow of cash doesn’t match the outflow, alarms should be ringing, but those alarms can only sound if they’re being monitored.

What are the implications if you don’t track cash flow?

Those couple of missed payments can snowball into larger debts. If you don’t have the cash to reinvest, growth opportunities could slip right through your fingers. Moreover, a tarnished reputation among suppliers and clients could be the final nail in the coffin.

On the flip side, mastering cash flow can unlock benefits. Ready cash can be a bargaining chip in negotiations so that you can secure discounts and stellar deals. It reduces the burden of borrowing, and stakeholders, from your employees to your suppliers, will undoubtedly appreciate the stability it brings.

Tips for your cashflow

We have a whole guide on our resources page that you can download but read on for some valuable tips to keep that cash river flowing.

1. Invoice your customers on time – seems counterintuitive, but sometimes as business owners we get stuck in the doing and forget that we haven’t done key things such as bill for the work we have done.
2. Chase up payments – turn on automatic reminders in your accounting system. You would be surprised at how much of a difference this makes to you receiving your invoices promptly.
3. Scrutinize expenses – cut out the fluff. You don’t need all of those subscriptions, be ruthless.
4. Emergency fund – so that you can weather any disturbances to your cash flow.
5. Offering flexible payment terms to clients or rewards for early settlements.
6. Check in on your cash balances and forecasts frequently – think fortnightly.

We’re living in a digital age, and there are so many tools at your disposal. Modern accounting software can be a lifesaver, automating cash flow tracking. If you don’t already have a killer accountant at the helm of your business they are worth their weight in gold – we might be biased here. Contact our office today if you need a hand with understanding those numbers and understanding your cash flow.

We are currently in the era of transparency and responsibility in business. In this vein, the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) introduced the Director ID. And before you ask, no, it’s not a new version of an Apple product.

What is a Director ID?

Remember the angst of waiting for that forever-anticipated 18th birthday, all so you could claim your unique rite of passage into Surfers Paradise? This ID is like that but for Directors. It’s your unique fingerprint in the corporate world. It’s a verified number so that everyone from your mate Dave the shareholder to regulators know you are who you say you are. Director’s IDs are essential to ensure that business in Australia is clear, transparent, and legit.

The good news? Applying is free and you only need to do it once, this ID sticks with you for life. Change companies, move countries, or even change your name — this ID is going nowhere.

How to Apply for a Director ID

I get it, time is money. So if you’re all about efficiency (who isn’t?), the online route is the way to go.  We’ve detailed the steps below for you or you can go straight to the ABRS website here.

1. Setup your myGovID
   1. Download the myGovID app from the App Store or Google Play;
   2. Enter your details; and
   3. Choose your identity strength (at least Standard identity is the minimum requirement; if you can do strong it’s easier in Step 2)

You will need at least 2 Australian identity documents (passport, driver’s licence, birth certificate, etc.)

2. Gather additional documents
   1. Depending on the strength of your myGovID:
      1. Strong strength – you’ll need your Tax File Number (TFN) or your residential address as held by the ATO.
      2. Standard strength – Tax File Number (TFN), your residential address as held by the ATO, information from at least 2 other documents (i.e. ATO notice of Assessment, Bank details held by the ATO, your superannuation details, etc.)
   2. Complete your Directors ID application online through the ABRS

Whilst we can’t apply for a Directors ID on your behalf, we can assist you with anything else you need as a director. Contact our office with any questions you have about being a director or about your business.  We can’t wait to assist you with navigating the tax landscape for your business.