皮特马丁会计师事务所 Pitt Martin 是一家提供税务,会计,生意咨询, 自管养老金及审计等综合性服务的经澳洲会计师公会认证的注册会计师事务所。我们每年会花上几百个小时去研究新的税法,以保证我们的客户可以最大化合理避税。皮特马丁会计师事务所Pitt Martin 坐落在交通便利的悉尼市市中心,是一家拥有可以说中文合伙人的会计师事务所。
Experienced Tax Accountant and Business Advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting and mortgage industry. Skilled in Tax, Accounting, Business Advisory, SMSF, Audit and Mortgage. Strong entrepreneurship professional with qualification Master of Professional Accounting, CA Public Practice, Registered Tax Agent, Registered ASIC Agent, NSW Law Society External Examiner, Trust Account Auditor and Diploma of Finanical Planning. Specialised in SME, tax planning and international tax, he helped client save ample money and create wealth.
Later last month, the government announced to extend JobKeeper Payment by six months to 28 March 2021 and the JobSeeker Payment to 31 December 2020. The extension is aiming to build up the confidence for economy recovery and continue to support the business and community. However, the government also make eligibility stricter for the sake to only provide assistance to individuals and businesses who are indeed highly impacted.
Changes of
the extended JobKeeper
Two phases
payment
From 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021, Jobkeeper Payment will
be:
$1,200 per fortnight for all eligible employees
who, in the four weeks of pay periods before 1 March 2020, were working in the
business or Not-For-Profit for 20 hours or more a week on average, and for
eligible business participants who were actively engaged in the business for 20
hours or more per week on average in the month of February 2020; and
$750 per fortnight for other eligible employees
and business participants.
From 4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021, JobKeeper Payment will
be:
$1000 per fortnight for all eligible employees
who, in the four weeks of pay periods before 1 March 2020, were working in the
business or Not-For-Profit for 20 hours or more a week on average, and for
eligible business participants who were actively engaged in the business for 20
hours or more per week on average in the month of February 2020; and
$650 per fortnight for other eligible employees
and business participants.
To be eligible for the extended JobKeeper Payment, business
and Not-For-Profit are required to meet the current turnover test and in addition,
they need to prove their actual turnover has been continuously significantly dropped
down in the testing period. They have to apply and satisfy the requirements
again in October 2020 and January 2021.
Business and Not-For-Profit need to demonstrate they have
experienced a decline in turnover for June 2020 quarter (April, May, June) and
September 2020 quarter (July, August, September) compared to the relevant quarters
(usually the same quarter of last year) for the period 28 Sep 2020 to 3 Jan 2021
JobKeeper payment.
Similarly, to be eligible for the JobKeeper under the extension
period 4 Jan 2021 to 28 Mar 2021, businesses and Not-For Profit should prove
their actual turnover for June, September and December quarters 2020 are
dramatically reduced compared to the relevant quarters (usually the same
quarter of last year).
The temporary Coronavirus Supplement has also been extended from
25 September 2020 to 31 December 2020. However, the payment has been adjusted aligning
with the gradually improved economy. The government will simultaneously update
the associated policy to guide those people become more active in job
seeking.
Changes
to the payment
From 25 September 2020 to 31 December 2020, the Coronavirus Supplement
per fortnight will be reduced from $550 to $250. Effectively the JobSeeker
payment rate will now be reduced from $1100 to $800 per fortnight.
The income free threshold to people on JobSeeker and Youth
Allowance (other) will be increased from $106 for JobSeeker Payment and $143 for
Youth Allowance (other) to $300 per fortnight for both and a phase out rate of
$0.6 in every dollar of income over $300.
Eligibility
Eligibility for the payment will be changed too from 25
September 2020 to ensure the assistance has been delivered to people who need
most as the economy recovers.
Means Testing – from 25 September 2020, means testing will be put in place in the following ways:
Asset testing for all payment for both existing and new recipients
the Liquid Assets Waiting Period (LAWP) for all payments will be reinstated
Partner income testing – from 25 September 2020,
the partner income testing cap will be increased to $3086.11 per fortnight or
$80238.89 per annum for individuals with no personal income. The taper rate
will jump to $0.27 from $0.25, with the higher income cut-out a result of
changes to income testing for JobSeeker Payment.
Expanded Criteria – JobSeeker Payment and Youth
Allowance (other) criteria will continuously assist permanent employees who are
stood down or lose their employment and sole traders, self-employed, casual
workers and contractors who meet other tests until 31 December 2020.
From 4 August 2020, a mutual obligation requirement (temporarily
suspend from 24 March 2020 to 8 June 2020) will be reintroduced, whereby
jobseekers are required to undertake FOUR job searches a month. The penalty
will apply to those who reject a job without a legitimated reason that has been
provided through the program.
The reduced JobKeeper Payment may make some JobKeeper
recipients entitled to JobSeeker Payment too. Therefore, the total benefits of
extended JobKeeper recipients received may not necessarily reduce much. People
who are affected may need to pay attention to the government on any further
changes to JobKeeper and JobSeeker.
At Pitt Martin,
we are here to be with you through this pandemic. Since the JobKeeper Scheme is
released, we have announced to provide FREE assessment on the eligibility for the
businesses. Please feel free to click the social media button on top to share this
article with your friends and the ones around you to help more people in need.
Experienced Tax Accountant and Business Advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting and mortgage industry. Skilled in Tax, Accounting, Business Advisory, SMSF, Audit and Mortgage. Strong entrepreneurship professional with qualification Master of Professional Accounting, CA Public Practice, Registered Tax Agent, Registered ASIC Agent, NSW Law Society External Examiner, Trust Account Auditor and Diploma of Finanical Planning. Specialised in SME, tax planning and international tax, he helped client save ample money and create wealth.
皮特马丁会计师事务所 Pitt Martin 是一家提供税务,会计,生意咨询, 自管养老金及审计等综合性服务的经澳洲会计师公会认证的注册会计师事务所。我们每年会花上几百个小时去研究新的税法,以保证我们的客户可以最大化合理避税。皮特马丁会计师事务所Pitt Martin 坐落在交通便利的悉尼市市中心,是一家拥有可以说中文合伙人的会计师事务所。
Experienced Tax Accountant and Business Advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting and mortgage industry. Skilled in Tax, Accounting, Business Advisory, SMSF, Audit and Mortgage. Strong entrepreneurship professional with qualification Master of Professional Accounting, CA Public Practice, Registered Tax Agent, Registered ASIC Agent, NSW Law Society External Examiner, Trust Account Auditor and Diploma of Finanical Planning. Specialised in SME, tax planning and international tax, he helped client save ample money and create wealth.
皮特马丁会计师事务所 Pitt Martin 是一家提供税务,会计,生意咨询, 自管养老金及审计等综合性服务的经澳洲会计师公会认证的注册会计师事务所。我们每年会花上几百个小时去研究新的税法,以保证我们的客户可以最大化合理避税。皮特马丁会计师事务所Pitt Martin 坐落在交通便利的悉尼市市中心,是一家拥有可以说中文合伙人的会计师事务所。
Experienced Tax Accountant and Business Advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting and mortgage industry. Skilled in Tax, Accounting, Business Advisory, SMSF, Audit and Mortgage. Strong entrepreneurship professional with qualification Master of Professional Accounting, CA Public Practice, Registered Tax Agent, Registered ASIC Agent, NSW Law Society External Examiner, Trust Account Auditor and Diploma of Finanical Planning. Specialised in SME, tax planning and international tax, he helped client save ample money and create wealth.
2020 is already halfway and we are all heading into the new
financial year. Despite there are quite many changes from the government stimulus
package, there are still some key changes that we can take a look at for Financial
Year 2021.
Reduced company tax rate from 1 July 2020
Firstly, from 1 July 2020, tax rate for small business under
certain structure has been reduced to 26%.
Businesses such as companies, corporate unit trusts and
publicly trading trusts with a turnover less than $50 million will be taxed at
a rate of 26% in 2020-21. The tax rate 30% will continuously apply to all
companies that are not eligible for lower company tax rate. Generally, the ones
with a turnover more than $50m. The lower company tax rate will then reduce to
25% from the 2021-22 income year. Progressive changes to the company tax rate
can be found below:
2018-19
and 2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
* Base Rate Entities
27.5%
26%
25%
Other corporate tax entities
30%
30%
30%
*base
rate entity is a company has an aggregated turnover less than $50m and 80% or
less of their assessable income is passive income
Increased National Minimum Wage Rates
From 1 July 2020, the minimum wage has been increased by
1.75%
The Fair Work Ombudsman has staggered the increase into
three stages:
The first group on 1 July 2020
Frontline healthcare and social assistance workers
Teachers and childcare workers
Other essential services
The second group on 1 November 2020
Construction
Manufacturing
A range of other industries
The third group on 1 February 2021
Accommodation and food services
Arts and recreation services
Aviation
Retail
Tourism
Please go to Fair Work Ombudsman
Website (https://www.fairwork.gov.au/)
for more information in regards to the affected industries.
For all other employees who are not covered by an award or employment
agreement, they have to be paid at a minimum hourly rate of $19.84 or $753.8
per week. The changes will become effective from 1 July 2020.
Employers should ensure their employee receive at least the
national minimum wage to avoid breaching any industrial and superannuation
obligations.
Increase the flexibility of Parental Leave Pay for self-employed
Starting from 1 July 2020, adopting the Parental Leave Pay
Planning announced by the government will provide parents more flexibility and choice.
The new measure introduces 30 days of flexible paid parental
leave for self-employed and small business owners.
Before, parents are only eligible to claim paid parental
leave of 18 weeks in one go. Now, the payment will include both:
A continuous paid parental leave period of up to
12 weeks and,
30 flexible paid parental leave days
Parents can still get parental leave pay in a single
continuous 18 weeks block. Alternatively, you can choose a shorter block of 12
weeks. You can then take the remaining flexible paid parental leave when it
suits you. However, you must take the flexible paid parental leave days all before
your child turns 2. For example, you work 5 days a week previously. Now you
have your new born child. You can choose to take a continuous 12 weeks paid
parental leave first, and work for three days a week and take a paid parental
leave for the remaining 2 days.
If employees want to receive a flexible paid parental leave,
they have to negotiate with their employers in regards to their paid leave
period or back to work as a part-time. If you cannot make an agreement with
your employers regarding your working arrangement, you have to take a
continuous block of 18 weeks.
You can changes apply to the babies born on or after 1 July
2020 but the application for the flexible arrangement is opened from 1 April
2020.
Other changes from 1 July 2020
The instant assets write-off of $150,000 threshold for small business has been expanded to 31 December 2020.
Cents per kilometre for work purpose deduction has been increased from $0.68 to $0.72.
Small businesses with employee less than 19 are required to finalise the payroll information through STP (Single Touch Payroll) system which was enforced from 1 July 2020. Please refer to “For All Business – Single Touch Payroll” for more information.
In Pitt Martin, we keep our clients with government tax and policy updates so they won’t be disadvantaged by the obsolete legislation. Call us on 02 92213345 or email connect@pittmartingroup.com.au for this tax season.
Disclaimer: This article is not providing a formal advice and may not suit to all scenarios. Please make an appointment with us to discuss.
Experienced Tax Accountant and Business Advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting and mortgage industry. Skilled in Tax, Accounting, Business Advisory, SMSF, Audit and Mortgage. Strong entrepreneurship professional with qualification Master of Professional Accounting, CA Public Practice, Registered Tax Agent, Registered ASIC Agent, NSW Law Society External Examiner, Trust Account Auditor and Diploma of Finanical Planning. Specialised in SME, tax planning and international tax, he helped client save ample money and create wealth.
皮特马丁会计师事务所
Pitt Martin 是一家提供税务,会计,生意咨询, 自管养老金及审计等综合性服务的经澳洲会计师公会认证的注册会计师事务所。我们每年会花上几百个小时去研究新的税法,以保证我们的客户可以最大化合理避税。我们的中文联系方式是 Robert Liu +61292213345 或邮件robert@pittmartingroup.com.au。皮特马丁会计师事务所Pitt Martin 坐落在交通便利的悉尼市市中心,是一家拥有可以说中文合伙人的会计师事务所。
Experienced Tax Accountant and Business Advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting and mortgage industry. Skilled in Tax, Accounting, Business Advisory, SMSF, Audit and Mortgage. Strong entrepreneurship professional with qualification Master of Professional Accounting, CA Public Practice, Registered Tax Agent, Registered ASIC Agent, NSW Law Society External Examiner, Trust Account Auditor and Diploma of Finanical Planning. Specialised in SME, tax planning and international tax, he helped client save ample money and create wealth.
A new financial year is an important time for all kinds of businesses, from sole traders to big corporate. It is not only to meet your tax obligations with the Australian Taxation Office, but also the perfect time to plan for the next 12 months of your business.
There
is certainly lots to do as a small business owner as you focus on year-end
accounting and bookkeeping tasks besides some planning for the new financial
year. To help you organise your financial records, Pitt Martin has put together
a handy EOFY checklist for businesses.
You need to ensure your BAS lodgements are up-to-date and accurate. This is not only making it easier for you to finalise your financial statements but also avoid penalty from the ATO
You need to ensure your superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions are accurate and up to date. Please note that your March SG is due 28 April 2020 and if you have previous quarters outstanding, you need to act as soon as possible or contact your accountant and bookkeeper for guidance.
If you are reporting to the ATO via Single Touch Payroll (STP), you are exempt from lodging a PAYG payment summary (Group Certificate) annual report for the amount you’ve reported through STP and from providing payment summaries to your employees so long as you undertake the finalisation declaration by the appropriate date. Please note that you can finalise your employees’ EOFY payroll information through your STP enabled software as soon as you have reconciled the information. Otherwise, you have up until 31 July to do so. Your employees will be able to access their income statements via myGov under the employment tab. If they do not have a myGov account and cannot create one, or do not have a registered agent, you can direct them to contact ATO on 13 28 61.
You need to ensure that you keep records for at least 5 years, and they are compliant with the ATO requirements
If you prepared your bookkeeping during the year, please make sure you have your accountant to review the transactions and GST codes assigned to the Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet items to ensure you are lodging a correct BAS.
The stocktake of your inventory should be done by 30 June 2020, if your business carries stock. Any adjustment on stock quantities and wastage should be reflected in the 2020 accounts.
If you maintain an asset register for your business, you need to review with your accountant or bookkeeper and remove any assets that had been disposed of or write off. Speak to your accountant about the instant asset write-off that the government introduced as part of the Australian Government’s economic response to coronavirus.
You need to ensure the following have been completed and reflected in your Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet,
Bank accounts, petty cash, prepayments, credit cards, borrowing cost, loans, Chattel Mortgages, and Division 7A Loans are reconciled
Depreciation has been properly accounted up to 30 June 2020 in the Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet
Review your Debtors and Creditors balance to ensure the accuracy
GST and PAYG withholding accounts are reconciled to the June quarter BAS
Wages and Superannuation in the Profit and Loss are reconciled to the Payment Summaries.
Superannuation Payable in the Balance Sheet is reconciled to the June quarter superannuation guarantee contributions
Review the suspense account and ensure all amounts are allocated to the appropriate account
Ensure there have been no personal expenses claimed as business expenses
With
many businesses facing unprecedented challenges from COVID-19, there is no
better time for small business owners to start afresh and thinking about
improving their current business performance.
We
have included additional checklist which hopefully can help you improve your
business performance and financial health going forward,
You need to revisit your business plan and adjust accordingly to provide a better and clearer direction for your business amid the pandemic. You need to think about what areas of your business do you want to improve? Your accountant can be an important resource to help you put in place a plan to get where you want your business to be.
You need to update your cash flow budgets for the next 12 months by comparing it to the actual performance. Cash flow is the lifeblood of your small business and needs to be looked at closely for your business to sustain. Review your pricing structure and if you need to raise your price, now is the best time to do. Again, your accountant will be able to assist in the pricing and cash flow budgets.
You need to review your business insurances or public liability to ensure you have a sufficient level of coverage
You need to review your financing arrangements to ensure that you have a better deal
You need to review your own personal insurances including life insurance and income protection insurance to ensure you have adequate coverage should your circumstances have changed
You need to review your health and safety policies and procedures to ensure your workplace is COVID Safe by following the guidance from the government for the safety plan.
If you are still using a spreadsheet or other manual accounting system, you might want to consider switching to cloud-based accounting software. Your accountant will be able to assist you with the transition.
In the face of uncertainty caused by the
global pandemic, actions taken now can have an immediate impact on how quickly
your business rebounds from the global downturn.
Pitt Martin Accountants and Tax Advisers are Xero qualified and Award-winning accountants and bookkeepers who can assist you and your business to improve your business performance and financial health moving forward.
If you know any small business owners who require an assistance in managing their bookkeeping and accounting, please do not hesitate to pass on our details or get in touch with our team on 02 9221 3345 or email connect@pittmartingroup.com.au
Experienced Tax Accountant and Business Advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting and mortgage industry. Skilled in Tax, Accounting, Business Advisory, SMSF, Audit and Mortgage. Strong entrepreneurship professional with qualification Master of Professional Accounting, CA Public Practice, Registered Tax Agent, Registered ASIC Agent, NSW Law Society External Examiner, Trust Account Auditor and Diploma of Finanical Planning. Specialised in SME, tax planning and international tax, he helped client save ample money and create wealth.
Given the impact of Bushfire and
COVID-19, Australia has entered into an economic recession first time in the
last 30 years. Last a couple of weeks, we have witnessed the Federal Government
announced that they have been working with States and Territories to offer a $25,000
HomeBuilder Grant between 4 June 2020 and 31 December 2020 for eligible owner
occupiers and buyers including first home buyers.
Eligibility:
Natural person (not a company and trust)
Aged 18 years or older
An Australian Citizen (does not mention PR or
New Zealand Citizen)
Income cap:
For Individuals, your earning should be $125,000
or less based on 2018-19 tax return or later
For couples, your combined earnings should be
$200,000 or less based on 2018-19 tax return or later
can be either:
A new home worth less than $750,000 or
An existing home valued up to $1.5m, and the
renovation contract should be between $150,000 and $750,000
The construction and renovation must be executed
within three months of the contract date.
Dwelling types:
House, apartments, house and land
package, off-the-plan, can be existing property renovation and new property.
The scheme will not apply to owner builders or those who are planning to build
a new home or renovate an existing home as an investment property.
Eligibility for
Renovation
Renovation fee is between $150,000
and $750,000. The existing property needs worth less than $1.5 million. The
construction should be carried out by licensed contractors at arms-length price
within three months after signing of the contract. The HomeBuilder Grants must
be used for improving your accessibility, liveability, and safety, but not used
for add-ons like tennis courts, swimming pool and detached sheds etc. Also, the
terms of the contract should be reasonable and in line with the market
requirements to prevent any fraud between builders and property owners from
swindling grants.
Am I
still eligible if I own a land?
If you own land with an existing dwelling on it and
plan to demolish and rebuild your dwelling, this will be considered as substantial
renovation as long as the upgraded work’s value is between $150,000 and
$750,000, and the value of your existing dwelling (including land value) before
the demolish does not exceed $1.5 million.
If you acquired a vacant land prior to 4 June
2020, you can build a new dwelling on it as long as the total cost of the dwelling
plus the land value before construction is less than $750,000.
Can I apply now?
No. It can only apply after your State or Territory enters into a contact
with Federal Government and open the channel for application. You will be
notified by each State or Territory government in regard to the updates of
application.
Required documents:
Required documents may vary from
different State or Territory for your application. However, at least the
following documents are required:
Proof of identification
Contract with date and signature of you and your
licensed builder
Copy of your builder’s registration or license
(depending on your State or Territory)
Copy of your 2018-19 tax return to demonstrate
your income meets income cap
Other documents including council approvals,
building contracts and evidence of land value etc
More detailed documents require further notification from States or Territory
government
If I have received
First Home Owner Grant, am I still eligible for this HomeBuilder Grant?
Yes, you are. The Homebuilder Grant does not conflict with the First Home
Owner Grant, Stamp Duty Concessions as well as the Commonwealth’s First Home
Loan Deposit Scheme and First Home Super Saver Scheme.
Do we have to pay tax
on that?
No. This is a tax-free payment to you.
Call us on 0292213345 or email on info@pittmartingroup.com.au for further details.
Disclaimer: This article is not providing a formal advice and may not suit to all scenarios. Please make an appointment with us to discuss.
Experienced Tax Accountant and Business Advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting and mortgage industry. Skilled in Tax, Accounting, Business Advisory, SMSF, Audit and Mortgage. Strong entrepreneurship professional with qualification Master of Professional Accounting, CA Public Practice, Registered Tax Agent, Registered ASIC Agent, NSW Law Society External Examiner, Trust Account Auditor and Diploma of Finanical Planning. Specialised in SME, tax planning and international tax, he helped client save ample money and create wealth.
皮特马丁会计师事务所
Pitt Martin 是一家提供税务,会计,生意咨询, 自管养老金及审计等综合性服务的经澳洲会计师公会认证的注册会计师事务所。我们每年会花上几百个小时去研究新的税法,以保证我们的客户可以最大化合理避税。我们的中文联系方式是 Robert Liu +61292213345 或邮件robert@pittmartingroup.com.au。皮特马丁会计师事务所Pitt Martin 坐落在交通便利的悉尼市市中心,是一家拥有可以说中文合伙人的会计师事务所。
Experienced Tax Accountant and Business Advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting and mortgage industry. Skilled in Tax, Accounting, Business Advisory, SMSF, Audit and Mortgage. Strong entrepreneurship professional with qualification Master of Professional Accounting, CA Public Practice, Registered Tax Agent, Registered ASIC Agent, NSW Law Society External Examiner, Trust Account Auditor and Diploma of Finanical Planning. Specialised in SME, tax planning and international tax, he helped client save ample money and create wealth.
皮特马丁会计师事务所 Pitt Martin 是一家提供税务,会计,生意咨询, 自管养老金及审计等综合性服务的经澳洲会计师公会认证的注册会计师事务所。我们每年会花上几百个小时去研究新的税法,以保证我们的客户可以最大化合理避税。我们的中文联系方式是 Robert Liu +61292213345 或邮件robert@pittmartingroup.com.au。皮特马丁会计师事务所Pitt Martin 坐落在交通便利的悉尼市市中心,是一家拥有可以说中文合伙人的会计师事务所。
Experienced Tax Accountant and Business Advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting and mortgage industry. Skilled in Tax, Accounting, Business Advisory, SMSF, Audit and Mortgage. Strong entrepreneurship professional with qualification Master of Professional Accounting, CA Public Practice, Registered Tax Agent, Registered ASIC Agent, NSW Law Society External Examiner, Trust Account Auditor and Diploma of Finanical Planning. Specialised in SME, tax planning and international tax, he helped client save ample money and create wealth.