Assistance available for SMSFs and their members

The Government’s economic response to coronavirus will provide SMSFs and their members with additional support, including reducing minimum drawdown rates and early release of superannuation. The minimum annual payment required for account-based pensions and annuities has been reduced in an initiative to assist retirees. For the 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years, the minimum annual payment…

FBT exemptions to keep in mind during the COVID-19 pandemic

In emergency situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, there are certain benefits you can provide your employees or their associates which may be exempt from fringe benefits tax (FBT). The fringe benefits tax is a tax which employers must pay on certain benefits they provide for their employees, their employees’ families and associates. However, with emergency…

How to save money during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is proving to be not only a major health concern for the global population, but also a huge financial concern for businesses and individuals alike. In a time of economic uncertainty and risks of unemployment, here are a few ways you can save money during the coronavirus crisis. Consider changing your savings…

Applying for your superannuation guarantee amnesty

If you are an employer looking to correct past unpaid superannuation guarantee (SG) amounts, you now have a six-month window until 7 September 2020 to apply for SG amnesty. Up until early September, employers will be able to disclose, lodge and pay unpaid SG amounts for their employees. Employers are encouraged to apply for SG…

ATO’s additional tax support for businesses

While the Australian Government has provided businesses with many relief measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the JobKeeper subsidy payment scheme, major changes to instant asset write-off and also rental relief for commercial tenants, the ATO has also provided additional tax support measures that may help your business further. The ATO is providing businesses…

Managing longevity risk and your superannuation

Longevity risk is a common and important factor to consider when planning for your retirement funds. Longevity risk refers to the risk of outliving your savings and arises as people enter retirement, and in most cases, with a fixed amount of money to use during their retirement years. Managing your longevity risk is important because…

Setting up your myGovID

If you haven’t set up your myGovID yet, you need to do it before you can lodge your next business activity statement (BAS). AUSkey, including Manage ABN Connections, will be replaced by the ATO’s myGovID and Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) from 27 March 2020. After this change, you will no longer be able to access…