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Archives for K & A News

150k Instant Asset Write-off Extended for 6 Months

The $150,000 instant asset write-off has now been extended until the end of the year as the government looks to encourage businesses to invest further in assets.  Businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million are eligible for an expanded instant asset write-off for asset investments of up to $150,000.  The threshold applies on a per asset basis, so businesses can immediately write-off multiple assets, provided each asset costs less than $150,000.  The announcement applies to new or second-hand assets first used or installed ready for use from 12 March 2020 until 31 December 2020. Legislation to give effect to the extension will be introduced to Parliament shortly.

Also from 12 March 2020,  businesses with turnover less than $500 million (not otherwise using the instant asset rules) will be able to access a 15-month investment incentive via an accelerated depreciation deduction.  Eligible businesses will be able to deduct 50% of the cost of an eligible asset on installation, with existing depreciation rules applying to the balance of the asset’s cost.  This measure applies until 30 June 2021.

 

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New Approach to 2020 Individual Tax Returns

With the 2020 tax season commencing in July and current medical advice recommending limited adult contact, we advise that we will not be conducting individual tax appointments in our office during the next few months.  Instead we will be offering a remote service and encourage you to contact our office if you require a remote consultation with your accountant, either via Zoom or telephone.

To assist with the electronic approach to tax preparation this year, we have provided a complementary Tax Data Organiser and an Individual Tax Return Checklist that you might like to use to help gather and compile your tax information.  The ATO website also provides some helpful deduction guides that are specific to particular occupations and industries: https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Income-and-deductions/Occupation-and-industry-specific-guides/

This tax season information can be forwarded to us in the mail or via email direct to your accountant or reception@kellyassoc.com.au   Alternatively, you may upload your information to the client portal and we have provided instructions for this process below.

Please note that as circumstances and medical advice changes we will review our current remote appointment policy.  We will update our website with any changes in our policy or alternatively please contact our office to check if appointments are available.

We thank you for your patience and understanding as we try to ensure the safety of all clients and staff.

Uploading your Tax Information to the Client Portal

Uploading your tax documents to the client portal is a simple and secure way to share your information with us!

Simply log in to the client portal as you usually would and enter the relevant portal area.

From the ‘document listing’ page, open the ‘upload manager’ (the upwards facing arrow shown above) located in the top right hand corner of the page, choose ‘select files’ and then ‘start’ to complete the transfer.

Please note that we will be automatically notified that you have sent your documents and that they are available for us to retrieve!

We also remind you that we have provided ‘client portal tips’ on our website to help with the process of retrieving and signing your tax returns.

If you need further assistance with the client portal please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

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Kelly & Associates COVID-19 Update

We are working hard to ensure we continue to meet our clients’ needs during this challenging time.   Currently, half our staff are in the office and the remainder are working from home.  We are continuing to encourage phone calls, email and Zoom meetings as our preferred forms of communication.  We will continue to maintain a record of all clients attending our office and practice social distancing measures.

Over recent months we hope you have found our communication and website helpful.  We encourage you to regularly review the website for further updates.

 

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Assistance Package

The Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently announced a $17.6 billion Coronavirus stimulus package for businesses and individuals.   There are four elements to the stimulus package, of which all clients should be aware:

  1. Low income earners to receive $750 cash

A one-off payment of $750 will be paid to all social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders.  This payment is tax-free and will not count as income for social security, household allowances and veteran payments.  A full list of eligible recipients is provided via the following link:

https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-Assistance_for_households.pdf

The one-off payment will occur automatically from 31 March 2020 by Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

  1. Cash flow assistance for businesses

Supportive measures introduced to assist Australian businesses to manage cash flow challenges and retain employees include:

  • Tax-free cash flow boost for employers.

Small and medium-sized businesses with a turnover of less than $50 million will receive up to $25,000 to help cover the costs of employee wages and salaries equal to 50% of the PAYG withheld.  The minimum payment is $2,000 with a maximum of $25,000 and will be available for businesses who lodge business activity statements for the March and June quarters.

Eligible businesses that withhold tax on employee salary and wages will automatically receive the payment.  This payment will be delivered by the ATO as a credit in the activity statement system from 28 April 2020 once businesses lodge their relevant activity statements.  Eligible businesses that pay salary and wages but are not required to withhold tax will also receive the minimum payment of $2,000.  For additional information regarding the timing of these payments please use the following link:

https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-Assistance_for_businesses.pdf

  • Apprentice wage subsidy.

Small businesses with fewer than 20 full-time workers will receive 50% of an apprentice or trainee’s wage for up to nine months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020.  For each apprentice or trainee, the Government will provide up to a maximum of $7,000 in wage assistance per quarter. Where a small business is unable to retain the apprentice or trainee, the subsidy will be available to a new employer to re-engage an eligible apprentice or trainee.   It is proposed that employers will be able to register for the subsidy from early April 2020.  Final claims for payment must be lodged by 31 December 2020.

  1. Boosted instant asset write-off and accelerated depreciation

Businesses with an aggregated annual  turnover of less than $500 million are eligible for an expanded instant asset write-off for asset investments of up to $150,000 (up from $30,000). The threshold applies on a per asset basis, so businesses can immediately write-off multiple assets.  The announcement applies to new or second-hand assets first used or installed ready for use from now until 30 June 2020.  The instant asset write-off is due to revert to $1,000 for small businesses (businesses with a turnover less than $10 million) from 1 July 2020.

Businesses with turnover less than $500 million will also be able to access a

15-month investment incentive by accelerating depreciation deductions.   These eligible businesses will be able to deduct 50% of the cost of an eligible asset on installation, with existing depreciation rules applying to the balance of the asset’s cost.  Additional information regarding the criteria for an eligible asset can be found at:

https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-Support_for_business_investment.pdf

  1. Assistance for severely affected regions

The Government has also announced a $1 billion fund to support regions and communities most significantly affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.  Those industries disproportionally affected will include such industries as tourism, agriculture and education.

The ATO will provide administrative relief for certain tax obligations (similar to relief provided following the bushfires) for taxpayers affected by the virus outbreak, on a case-by-case basis.   Additional information for those regions severely affected by the outbreak can be found via the following link:

https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-Assistance_for_regions.pdf

Additional Income Support

In addition to the stimulus package announced, people who are unable to attend work because they have been diagnosed with the Coronavirus or who are in isolation, may qualify for income support if they do not have any employer leave entitlements.   Additional information can be found on the Australian Government Services Australia webpage at https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/.  Our accountants are available to guide you through the process of accessing support should you need assistance.

Further Resources and Information

Please be aware of two links that will be particularly helpful for those clients who are employers and have questions in relation to employee entitlements and whether staff should or should not be in the workplace.  We have provided a link below to both resources.  In addition Fair Work is very helpful and they have a coronavirus hotline – 13 13 94.

https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media-releases/website-news/coronavirus-and-australian-workplace-laws#health-and-safety-information

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources

The Andrews Government has set up a hotline for businesses needing information on dealing with new measures to tackle coronavirus, as well as details on support services. The number is 13 22 15.

Please feel free to contact our office if you would like to discuss any of the above information in more detail or if we can assist you further, either personally or professionally.

 

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myGovID to replace AUSkey for Business Portal Users

After 27th March 2020, you will no longer be able to use AUSkey to access the ATO business portal and other government online services. AUSkey will be replaced with myGovID and Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM). MyGovID is a new and secure way to prove who you are online. RAM allows you to manage access to online services and authorise others who can act on behalf of your business.

You will need to use myGovID and RAM if you:

• use the ATO Business Portal
• use Access Manager
• access government online services using AUSkey or Manage ABN Connections like the Australian Business Register (ABR)
• have employees or authorise others to access government online services on behalf of your business

It is important to act now, before the 27th March deadline to continue to access online services. The principal authority (business owner or person listed on the ABR) must set up their own myGovID, link their business in RAM and authorise employees:

 

Step 1: Set up your myGovID

To set up and use myGovID, business owners and employees must have their own personal smart device (i.e. a mobile phone). Smart device minimum requirements are Apple ios10 or later and Android 7.0 (Nougat) or later.

• Download the myGovID app, available from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
• Set up your myGovID by entering your full name, date of birth and email address. Use an email address that belongs to you only and is not shared.
Employees should use a personal email address rather than a work based email address. MyGovID is specific to and remains with the individual, regardless of their employment.
• Add two Australian identity documents – for example, a passport, driver’s licence, medicare card and or birth certificate. It is important that your name matches with the name on the identity documents.

 

Step 2: Log in to RAM using your myGovID and link your business
You must be the principal authority (business owner or listed associate on the ABR) to link your business’s ABN to your myGovID:

• Before you link your business, check that your business details and individual associates (for example, individual trustees, directors and public officers) on the ABR are up to date, so RAM can use the correct information: https://abr.gov.au

Go to your web browser (this can be done on your computer), login to RAM using your myGovID:
https://info.authorisationmanager.gov.au

• Select Link my business to find your business or businesses and add the required information.

How to link if your business is a trust with a corporate trustee?

The ability to link your business requires the principal authority or business owner to be listed as an individual associate for the business (on the ABR). If the only listed associate of a business is another business (that is, not an individual) you will need to call the ATO to manually link.

Therefore, in the case of a trust with a corporate trustee, the principal authority must contact the ATO on 1300 287 539, select option 3 for RAM enquiries and be prepared with the following information:

• TFN & PAYG arrangements, if applicable (for the principal authority)
• ABN of the trust
• ACN of the trustee company

 

Step 3: Authorising employees and others in RAM

You can use RAM to authorise others to act on behalf of your business – for example, if you have employees who access the business portal on behalf of your business.

• Before you authorise staff, check they have set up their myGovID. You need to enter their legal name so it matches exactly with the name used in their myGovID and an email address only they can access.
• Login to RAM using myGovID: https://info.authorisationmanager.gov.au
• Select View or manage authorisations, machine credentials and cloud software notifications to authorise users. If you have multiple employees with AUSkeys, you can use the import AUSkey users function to create multiple authorisations at a time. If you need to customise someone’s access and permissions, you will be directed through RAM to Access Manager.

You’ve finished setting up!

You and your employees can now use myGovID to access the ATO Business Portal https://bp.ato.gov.au/

Select ‘Login with myGovID’ and enter your myGovID email address and use the myGovID app to verify it’s you.

 

NOTE: Using software to report
If you use desktop or locally hosted software (not cloud based software) you may need to undertake additional steps – your software supplier will guide you through this process. If you use cloud based Standard Business Reporting enable software, you don’t need to undertake additional steps – your software supplier will do this for you.

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Superannuation Guarantee Amnesty Bill Passes Parliament

The superannuation guarantee amnesty bill has been passed by Parliament ensuring that employers will get six months to disclose historical non-compliance of superannuation payments.  This one-off amnesty aims to encourage employers to self-correct historical superannuation guarantee non-compliance.

Employers should be aware that as a result of Single Touch Payroll (STP), the ATO now has an ‘unprecedented level of visibility’ of superannuation information.  Any clients with a historical non-compliance of superannuation payments should make use of the amnesty to avoid severe penalties which would otherwise apply under voluntary disclosure (outside the amnesty period) or ATO detection.

All employers should be aware that late payment of the superannuation guarantee (i.e. payments failing to reach the employee’s superannuation fund by the due date) and underpayments are reasons for superannuation shortfalls and penalties will apply.

Please consider your superannuation guarantee compliance very carefully and contact our office if you require assistance to work through the issues involved.

 

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$30,000 Instant Asset Write-off

The ATO is reminding businesses that are looking to expand or improve their business and thinking of buying new or second hand assets, that medium sized businesses with a turnover up to $50 million (but at least $10 million) are eligible for the instant asset write-off.

This now applies to assets that cost up to $30,000 and which were purchased and first used or installed ready for use from 7:30pm (AEDT) on 2 April 2019 to 30 June 2020.

Medium sized businesses may purchase and claim a deduction for each asset that costs less than the $30,000 threshold.

For assets over $30,000 the general depreciation rules apply (which may depend on the entity).

 

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PAYG and Deductions for Payments to Workers

The ATO has reminded business taxpayers they can no longer claim deductions for certain payments to workers if they have not met their PAYG withholding obligations from 1 July 2019.

If the PAYG withholding rules require an amount to be withheld, to claim a deduction for most payments to a worker, a business taxpayer must:

q withhold the amount from the payment before they pay their worker; and

q report that amount to the ATO.

Importantly, where a taxpayer simply makes a mistake and withholds or reports an incorrect amount, they will not lose their deduction, although any such errors should be corrected as soon as possible so as to minimise penalties.

Please contact our office if you have any queries in relation to PAYG withholding.

 

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STP and Superannuation Guarantee – Employers Beware

In a presentation at the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees Chairs Forum, the ATO’s Deputy Commissioner confirmed that as a result of STP, the ATO now has an “unprecedented level of visibility” of super information.

In particular, the ATO’s examination of Super Guarantee (‘SG’) contributions of some 75 million payment transactions for the first three quarters of 2019 (for approximately 400,000 employers) has shown that 90 – 92% of contribution transactions by volume and 85 – 90% of transactions by dollar value were paid on time.

The ATO is now starting to actively use this data to warn employers who appear not to be paying the required SG on time (or at all).

As a result, it has notified 2,500 employers that they have paid their SG contributions late during 2019.  Due-date reminders were also sent to a further 4,000 employers.

Employers should be aware that failure to pay your super contribution by the 28th day after the end of the quarter will result in a Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC). The SGC is made up of the original super contribution (9.5%) plus interest & penalties. In the event of late payment, you should complete and lodge a SGC statement and pay the amount to the Tax Office rather than the super fund .

Please be aware of the disadvantages if super contributions are not paid on time and the SGC applies.  In relation to the SGC, please note the following:

  • the super (9.5%)& penalties are not tax deductible;
  • the employer must pay notional interest (in place of earnings that would have accrued had the SG contribution been made on time) and an administration fee ($20 per employee, per quarter);
  • there are further penalties for late payment and failure to lodge a SGC statement;
  • the shortfall in super contributions is based on ‘salary & wages’ which is potentially a higher than Ordinary Times Earnings (OTE); and
  • the employer will have to put time into preparing the SGC statement.

In relation to making super contributions on time, we remind you that it is the date the funds reach the super fund that is relevant for determining an ‘on time’ payment.  This also applies if you use a clearing house to distribute contributions to your employee’s funds on your behalf.  The contributions are counted as being paid on the date the super funds receive payment, not the date the clearing house receives funds from the employer.  We recommend that you process you super contributions 10 days prior to the quarterly due date (or otherwise check with your clearing house) to allow enough time for your payments to be processed before the quarterly due date.

Quarterly payment due dates for SG Contributions are outlined below:

Period                                    Due Date

1 Jul – 30 Sept                       28 Oct

1 Oct – 31 Dec                     28 Jan

1 Jan – 31 Mar                      28 Apr

1 Apr – 30 Jun                       28 Jul

If you have any queries or concerns in relation to your superannuation guarantee obligations please contact our office.

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Tax Cuts Become Law

The Government has announced that more than 10 million Australians will receive immediate tax relief following the passage of legislation through the Parliament, which increases the top threshold for the 19% tax rate from $41,000 to $45,000 and increases the low income tax offset from $645 to $700 in 2022/23.

In combination with the legislated removal of the 37% tax bracket in 2024/25, the Government is also “delivering structural reform to the tax system” by reducing the 32.5% tax rate to 30%.

Low and middle income tax offset also now law

In addition, from the 2018/19 income year (i.e., last income year):

  • The low and middle income tax offset (‘LAMITO’) has been increased from a maximum amount of $530 to $1,080 per annum and the base amount increased from $200 to $255 per annum; and
  • Taxpayers with a taxable income:
  • of $37,000 or below can now receive a LAMITO of up to $255;
  • above $37,000 and below $48,001 can now receive $255, plus an  amount equal to 7.5% to the maximum offset of $1,080;
  • above $48,000 and below $90,001 are now eligible for the maximum LAMITO of $1,080; and
  • above $90,000 but is no more than $126,000 are now eligible for a LAMITO of $1,080, less an amount equal to 3% of the excess.

The ATO has implemented the necessary system changes so taxpayers will have any offset they are entitled to taken into account during the normal processing of their return.

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