A series of high-profile examples of businesses underpaying their employees has brought the need to get payroll right into sharp focus.
Complex award and enterprise agreements can complicate payroll obligations, in terms of both regular salary and wages and the ongoing need to pay employee superannuation. On top of that, from 1 March 2020, changes commence for annualised wage arrangements that will increase the compliance burden on some businesses.
Single Touch Payroll (STP) is a new regulation introduced by the ATO. All large businesses (more than 20 employees) should now be using STP, or have applied for a later start date. For employers with less than 20 employees, STP reporting will begin on 1 July 2019.
Parliament passed new laws last month directly aimed at the behaviour of taxpayers that don’t meet their PAYG obligations.
Single Touch Payroll (STP) – the direct reporting of salary and wages, PAYG withholding and superannuation contribution information to the ATO – comes into effect from 1 July 2018.
On 1 July 2018 Super concessions for downsizers come into effect. If you are over 65, have held your home for 10 years or more and are looking to sell, you can contribute a lump sum of up to $300,000 per person to superannuation without being restricted by the existing non-concessional contribution caps - $100,000 subject to your total superannuation balance - or age restrictions.
If you work in a particular trade that involves manual labour then you are undoubtedly a tradie…or trades person.
Any financial outlay that you have in order to be able to carry out your job is classed as an expense. Tradies have many costs in doing their business, including transport, tools and safety or particular types of clothing.