Understanding Payday Superannuation in Australia

In addition to the many challenges of running a business, scammers present a growing (and formidable) risk. Reports from government agencies show they’re having a hard time protecting businesses from scammers. For example, Australia’s investment watchdog - the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) - recently claimed to be taking down roughly 20 scam sites each day! What can business leaders do to counter this threat? First, let’s look at some typical examples of scams. Phishing Phishing occurs when scammers impersonate government agencies or large organisations like banks to trick business owners into revealing sensitive information. This can happen over email or text and the recipient usually clicks a malicious link that seems legitimate. The fraudsters often prey on fears and uncertainty, sending out fake updates about safety measures or offering access to supposed government subsidies. Compromised email accounts Email phishing becomes more complicated when hackers access legitimate email accounts and send links or fraudulent payment requests. These emails are especially dangerous because they’re hard to distinguish from legitimate correspondence. False billing In this case, scammers send fake invoices, hoping busy administrators won’t notice they’re fake. Small businesses face significant risk especially where one fraudulent payment could significantly impact cash flow. Supply scams Scammers can set up fake websites or social pages and sell nonexistent products. Buyers seeking something urgently or that they think is scarce are particularly prone to this scam. Overpayment scams More rare, perhaps, but this involves scammers overpaying for goods using stolen credit cards or fake cheques. Then they request a refund for the excess and, once the original payment fails, the business is left with the bill. So what can businesses do about scams? Here are 7 best practices. 1) Recognise that any person or business is a target. Scams are not only directed at small, unsophisticated businesses. Many vigilant, tech-savvy people have fallen victim. And the techniques of scammers continue to evolve. 2) Create a culture of suspicion: Verify the source of emails, SMS, or social media messages before responding or clicking on links, especially where sensitive information is involved. Be doubly suspicious where the sender implies urgency, a common technique of scammers. 3) Train your employees to recognise and report suspicious activity. Anyone can be targeted. 4) Double-check payment requests, especially those involving new bank details. Set up processes which require multiple steps, or involvement by multiple people, before payments are executed. 5) Strengthen password policies, because weak passwords are a common entry point for scammers. Make sure all business accounts have strong, unique passwords that change regularly. 6) Update software because outdated systems are an easier target for scammers, especially those engaging in phishing attacks. 7) Online monitoring tools like Google Alerts can reveal unauthorised use of the business name online. Scammers often misuse legitimate business names to seem credible to other victims. With no end to the threat of scammers in sight, it’s prudent for leaders to be ultra cautious and adopt strategies like those mentioned above. What should you be doing to protect your business from scammers?

Deductions You Can Claim: Clothing and Laundry Expenses To claim a deduction for any work-related expense: - It must directly relate to earning your income - You must have spent the money yourself, and not have been reimbursed by your employer - You must have a record or receipt to prove it If your total claim for work-related expenses is more than $300, you must have written evidence to prove all of your claims. Clothing and laundry expenses have special rules in terms of their deductibility.  You cannot claim a deduction for the cost of buying, hiring, repairing or cleaning conventional clothing you buy to wear for work. For example, black work pants purchased from Target etc. However, you can claim a deduction for the cost of buying, hiring, repairing or cleaning work clothing that fits into any of these categories: - Occupation Specific - Protective - Compulsory Uniforms - Non-compulsory Uniforms (registered with AusIndustry) Conventional Clothing According to the ATO, ‘Conventional clothing ‘is everyday clothing worn by people regardless of their occupation. If the clothing could reasonably be worn outside of work and is not distinctive, it is not tax deductible, even if it is compulsory by your employer or only worn at work. For example: - business attire worn by office workers - jeans or drill shirts worn by tradesman Occupation Specific Occupation-specific clothing is attire that is necessary for certain jobs and distinctively identifies you as a person associated with that particular occupation. This type of clothing is tax deductible as long as it cannot be worn by multiple professions. For example: - Chef’s hat and apron - Pilot or flight attendant uniforms - Nurse scrubs Note that some items that are occupation specific, may also be considered compulsory uniforms. Protective Protective clothing includes items that you wear to protect you from any risk of illness or injury from your work activities or environment. This type of clothing must have a protective element to be considered protective rather than a conventional item. Protective clothing items are tax deductible. For example: - Construction workwear (high-vis vests, hard hats, work boots) - Medical personal protective equipment (PPE) - Fire resistant or UPF sun protection clothing - Any safety shoes or boots that may be steel-toed or non-slip. Compulsory Uniforms Compulsory uniforms are items that your employer makes compulsory to wear the uniform through a strictly enforced workplace agreement or policy. The uniform must be sufficiently distinctive to your particular organisation so it can be identified by anyone outside of the organisation. While many uniforms feature a logo, its presence does not determine whether the uniform is compulsory, as long as it meets the specified requirements. Compulsory uniforms are tax deductible. For example: - Police or firefighter uniforms - Fast food or restaurant uniforms - Military uniforms However, shoes, socks and stockings are generally not deductible unless they can be differentiated by conventional clothing by: - Being an essential part of a distinctive compulsory uniform - the characteristics (colour, style and type) are a distinctive part of your uniform that your employer specifies in the uniform policy Non-Compulsory Uniform Non-compulsory work uniforms are not tax deductible unless your employer has registered the design with AusIndustry. Single clothing items, however, cannot be registered. You can check with your employer if you are not sure whether your uniform is registered. Laundry, Cleaning and Repairs You can claim a deduction for the cost of cleaning and repairing items in these categories: - Occupation-specific - Protective - Compulsory - Non-compulsory clothing items registered with AusIndustry You may claim these expenses using the following provided by the ATO: - $1 per load if it contains only work-related clothing items - 50c per load if you’re washing work clothes with other items If you require dry cleaning or another specialist service for your work-related clothing, you can claim the actual expenses. However, you must have written evidence. If your laundry claim is $150 or less (not including dry-cleaning expenses), you can claim the expense and don’t need receipts. However, you can’t claim a deduction if your employer reimburses you for these expenses. Some tips: - If you are unsure whether you can claim a deduction for the cost of an item, keep all your receipts and records for your accountant to assess and advise you of the deductibility of the item. - Is your total claim for work-related expenses more than $300? You must provide written evidence for your other work-related expenses. This includes the $150 laundry claim that you would otherwise be able to claim without receipts. - Visit the ATO website using the following link for more information: Clothes and items you wear at work | Australian Taxation Office

1. Use the “Multiple Bank Accounts” We recommend using three main bank accounts for your business: Main Operating Account – for day-to-day expenses and receiving income GST Tax Account – strictly for GST and BAS lodgement obligations Wages & Super Account – for payroll, PAYG, and super contributions 2. Set Aside GST From Every Sale 1. If you’re registered for GST or have payroll obligations, it's important to set aside a portion of every sale to cover these liabilities. 2. Transfer a suitable percentage of each sale into your tax-related accounts. The percentage may vary based on your specific business needs and structure, but creating a buffer helps ensure you’re prepared for quarterly lodgements, unexpected tax liabilities, and timing issues. 3. Open separate tax accounts with your bank to prevent accidental spending of tax funds. 3. Plan for Wages, super and PAYG Withholding Even if you’re a sole trader or a small team, it’s critical to allocate a portion of each sale towards employee wages and entitlements. This should cover: · Salaries and wages · PAYG withholding · Superannuation · Workcover obligations 4. Track Your Expenses Weekly Use accounting software like Xero, or MYOB to: · Reconcile bank transactions as you go to avoid wrong accounted transactions · Track income and expenses in real time · Match payroll and GST accounts regularly Tip: Set weekly reminders to transfer GST and wages portions, don’t wait until end of quarter. 5. Stay BAS and Tax Ready Every quarter, you’ll need to lodge a Business Activity Statement (BAS). It includes: · GST collected · PAYG withholding · Any PAYG instalments due Having your tax and wage accounts pre-funded makes BAS lodgement smooth and stress-free, by having the money already sitting in your tax accounts, it becomes much easier to make arrangements for BAS payments without cash flow pressure. Conclusion Success isn’t just about increasing sales; it’s also about managing those sales with discipline. By setting aside appropriate amounts regularly into dedicated accounts, you'll foster a habit of tax preparedness and business stability. This allows you to focus on growth without the stress of last-minute tax shortfalls.  If you're unsure how much to set aside, or how your GST and PAYG are calculated, get in touch with our accounting team and we can tailor a plan based on your business cash flow and help automate your processes.

What are capital works? Capital works refer to substantial improvements, renovations, or construction that increase a property’s value or extended its life. Examples include: - Building extensions - Upgrading plumbing - Replacing roofs - Restumping of the house - Replacing the lawn - Replacing retaining walls These are long-term improvements, not regular repairs or maintenance. Unlike routine maintenance, which can be deducted in the year you spend the money, capital works deductions are spread out over 25 to 40 years. How do these deductions work? You can claim a percentage of the cost of capital works each year. Generally, residential properties built after 16 September 1987 can claim 2.5% per year up to 40 years.  Who can claim? Anyone who owns a property with significant improvements can claim this deduction, including property investors, business owners, and landlords. However, principle place of residence that are not rented out are not eligible for capital works deductions. Capital works deductions can be claimed as a deduction against the rental income that has been made for the year if you have made substantial improvements to you property.