There is much to know about Superannuation and the following is provided to get you started.

Review your Concessional Contributions (CC) option and new rules: 

The Government changed the contribution rates from 1 July 2020 to extend the ability to make contributions from age 65 up to age 67.

Maximise contributions up to CC cap of $27,500 per annum. Be careful not to exceed your limit if your Total Super Balance exceeds $500,000. 

It's important to look after your Super!

Need help contact Blackburn Accounting we will answer your queries and sort out any problems. 

Checklist for Employers – Superannuation obligations: 

As an Employer part of your obligations is to pay Super Guarantee (SG).

Paying your Employees the right amount of Super,have you determined, 

• which employees are eligible for super contributions?
• are any contractors eligible for super contributions?

• what payments are considered ordinary time earnings?
• should you apply for a certificate of coverage for employees you are sending overseas?

Have questions, need to know more, if you are a Business owner Blackburn Accounting is available to provide professional advice. We offer a broad range of services including personal, Family Business Management, Cashflow Management and Business Development. 

 The ATO website also provides information.

Review Options on Pension Payments

The Government extended the Temporary Reduction in Minimum Pensions as part of the COVID-19 response for FY2023. This program has now finished and the minimum pension payments have reverted back to the normal rates from 1 July 2023. 

Superannuation has many facets.  To get the best outcomes speak with a professional about the strategies best suited to your situation.

If you are a Business owner Blackburn Accounting is available to provide professional advice. We offer a broad range of services including personal, Family Business Management, Cashflow Management, Superannuation & Retirement planning, and Business Development. 

Superannuation updates - Check the ATO website for more information.

If you have been queuing at the petrol station to get bargain-priced fuel, or indeed to buy any fuel, you will have seen prices increasing dramatically, daily! Welcome to supply and demand economics in play.  

Or if you have joined the crowds at a for-sale, home open or a property to lease, and left like many without the keys to the front door, you are experiencing the ‘supply and demand’ economic principle. In fact, it is often referred to as the Law of Supply and Demand and is a fundamental concept in Economics. 

In simple terms, supply is how much of a product is available in the market, while demand is how much of it people want; together, these form the basic economic theory of supply and demand.

The next part of the equation is the relationship between the two. The amount of a product, commodity or service available and the ‘want’ of buyers to purchase it are the factors determining price. 

It's how buyers and sellers interact to determine the price and supply of a resource. When demand outstrips supply, prices will increase.  In a free capitalist, competitive market -it‘s economics in play. The price of an entry-level property in Perth now costs twice as much as it did five years ago! 

Did you experience these examples? I did! The price of chocolates rose dramatically in 2025, as cocoa production dropped globally due to severe storms. And here we are, April 2026, Easter eggs exemplify the ongoing impact. A leading chocolate maker spokesperson advises, ‘we are navigating higher cocoa and input costs globally’. COVID disrupted and strained global supply chains, transportation and productivity, and subsequently shifted demand patterns. Supply was constrained, and demand spiked. 

The same thing occurs with other commodity essentials - toilet paper is a popular item, leaving the shelves like hot cakes!    

How it works. Cause and effect! It’s a balancing act!

Individual income tax rates and threshold changes

On 25 January 2024, the government announced proposed changes to Individual income tax rates and thresholds from 1 July 2024. These changes are not yet law.

From 1 July 2024, the proposed tax cuts will: 

• reduce the 19 per cent tax rate to 16 per cent
• reduce the 32.5 per cent tax rate to 30 per cent
• increase the threshold above which the 37 per cent tax rate applies from $120,000 to $135,000
• increase the threshold above which the 45 per cent tax rate applies from $180,000 to $190,000.

For more information see Tax cuts to help with the cost of living | Treasury.gov.au

The ATO is warning Business that pay contractors to provide certain services to lodge their taxable payments report (TPAR) for 2023.

The TPAR is used to report the payments made during the financial year to subcontractors or contractors. It is due on 28 August each year.

 Be aware, from 22 March 2024, the ATO will apply penalties to those Businesses that haven’t lodged their TPAR from 2023 or previous years or have received three reminder letters about overdue TPAR.

If this is you, act now to avoid paying penalties.

Other – Outstanding Debts

From January 2024, the ATO has an external debt collection agency actioning tax cases they have referred.

This will apply to Taxpayers who haven’t responded to previous ATO contacts attempts or referral warning letters and are not engaged in debt repayment.

Don’t wait, contact the ATO or speak with our team at Blackburn Accounting asap.

Unsure of your responsibilities or what to do?

Need help!

Contact Blackburn Accounting we understand taxation matters,

or contact the ATO directly or check their website for further information. 

Be prepared! 

•  If you are a not-for-profit Organisation, be prepared for new reporting requirements to maintain your tax-exempt status.

The ATO has announced this change, which is expected to affect a range of Organisations, from small sporting clubs to major sporting groups, cultural, educational and community and health providers.

• From July 1, not-for-profits claiming exempt status will need to fill out an online questionnaire on the tax office website. The questions are based on the rules for each of the eight categories of exemption.

 Need help with understanding these requirements! Contact Blackburn Accounting, we can help you navigate the changes.

The ATO has registered three data-matching notices on 26 August 2024 for compliance related purposes:

• Notice of a lifestyle assets: The ATO will acquire lifestyle assets data from insurance providers for 2023-24 through to 2025-26 for specified classes of assets, where the relevant asset value is equal to or exceeds the nominated thresholds. The data items include client identification and policy details. 

• Notice of a Property management: The ATO will acquire property management data from property management software companies for 2018-19 through to 2025-26. The data items include property owner identification and property transaction details. 

• Notice of an Officeholder: The ATO will acquire officeholder data from ASIC, the ORIC, the ACNC, and ABRS for 2023-24 through to 2026-27. The data items include name, contact details, date of birth, ABN, organisation details, state of incorporation, officeholder type, including officeholder role start and end dates. 

• ATO ramps up warnings on $50b in tax debts. 

This warning from the new Tax Commissioner as the ATO chases $50 billion in outstanding debts, claiming increasing numbers of Australian small Businesses operators are falling behind on tax and superannuation obligations. 

• At a recent small Business summit in Sydney the Commissioner said ‘it’s critical that all employers, big and small, keep on top of their obligations to their employers first and foremost, as well as their obligation to government in respect to GST, income tax and other taxes’. 
• Previously, in November, the ATO warned Business to stop using unpaid tax and superannuation liabilities to prop up their cash flow, stressing its debt book was not a bank.  

If these matters concern you, act now, heed the warnings!  

Need help? contact Blackburn Accounting, we are experts in taxation matters.

• Tax Debts can affect your credit ratings 

Disclosure of Business Tax Debts: 

Be aware that in certain circumstance the ATO may disclose your debt information to credit reporting bureaus (also known as credit reporting agencies).

The ATO lists a number of criteria where they may report your Business tax debt. These are provided on the ATO website.

 Note: It will not report your debt information to credit reporting bureaus (CRBs) if you are already engaged with them to manage your tax debts and may also decide not to report your tax debt information if you are experiencing exceptional circumstances.

You can find full details on the ATO website.

More from the ATO

Reminder from the ATO that its focus is on Businesses that use cash to avoid their tax and Business obligations.  

It stresses that this behaviour isn’t just a bad habit, it's a deliberate action that affects everyone and undermines the integrity of the tax system, erodes public trust and reduces funding for essential services. It also gives dodgy Business an unfair advantage over those doing the right thing. 

To detect Businesses that aren't doing the right thing the ATO is using sophisticated data and analytics and targeting cash-only Businesses that deliberately avoid their obligations.

The ATO encourage, don’t put your Business or workers at risk.  

If you are a small Business owner, it’s important to understand your responsibilities and take the steps to get it right.  

Have questions, need help? Blackburn Accounting is your Family Business Specialist. We can assist with all your taxation and accounting needs. Contact us today. 

Payday Super is a change to how you calculate and when you pay your employees’ super guarantee.  

From 1 July 2026. Super guarantee payments must be paid to an employees’ super fund at the same time as paying qualifying earnings (QE), on payday, and received by the super fund within 7 business days. 

There are some exceptions to the 7-day deadline, such as for new employees. 

Need help, have questions contact us today, Blackburn Accounting. Let us help you navigate the changes. We also offer a range of services to support small and family Businesses which include Family Business Management, Cashflow Mangement and Business Development.

The ATO also provides information on their website. 

The Tax Office is taking compliance seriously. 

This recent message from the Tax Office highlights the need for Insurance brokers to provide details of customers with high-value assets. If you have any of these, luxury vehicles, fine art, aircraft or motorhomes the ATO is keen to know! 

And Employers have been put on notice to ensure compulsory superannuation payments are on time as new details emerge about the rollout of ‘payday super’. The ATO has released a Fact Sheet targeting employers and employees to explain how the system will work when changes kick in on July 1, 2026. More about this to come! 

If this information raises any questions, contact Blackburn Accounting. We are your family Business specialists, available to advise on all your Taxation and Accounting matters.  

Planning is at the heart of achieving the best results and outcomes whatever task, activity or goal you are pursuing!

Simply put, planning is deciding in advance what to do, how to do it, when and who should do it! 

So, when it comes to managing your Business and personal financial affairs and tax obligations, doesn’t it make sound business sense to adopt a ‘tax planning’ strategy. If you are one of the smart operators, you have answered Yes!

Tell me more!

Tax planning is:

• the process of analysing financial affairs from a taxation perspective, with the aim to achieve tax efficiency. That means arranging your affairs, (your financial plan) and functioning to keep your tax to a minimum within the intent of tax laws. Be aware of tax schemes outside the bounds of the law will attract ATO attention.
• an important process that benefits Businesses to plan for their tax requirements. For example, by using deductions to reduce the total taxable income, such as structuring salaries and appropriate business planning.
• proactive planning and structuring all about flexibility, whether you are an existing Business, starting new, thinking retirement, or overseas opportunities. The right fit, structure and ownership model influence many areas, including tax planning and regulatory compliance, asset protection, wealth creation through business, growth and succession.
• compliance with statutory and regulatory reporting requirements.

What is the ATO looking at in 2024! 

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced it will be taking a close look at three common errors being made by taxpayers:

• Incorrectly claiming work-related expenses
• Inflating claims for rental properties
• Failing to include all income when lodging.

According to the ATO assistant Commissioner ‘the ATO is focused on supporting taxpayers to get their lodgement right the first time’. The above areas are where mistakes are most likely to occur, genuine errors but also sometimes deliberate. Taxpayers are being encouraged to get it right the first time.

• Work-related expenses

Last year, the ATO revised the fixed rate method of calculating a working-from-home deduction to broaden what is included, increase the rate, and adjust the records taxpayers need to keep.These changes are now in full effect this financial year, meaning you must have comprehensive records to substantiate your claims as you would for any other deduction. Important care needs to be taken as other home-related deductions such as internet expenses cannot be claimed if you choose to use the working-from-home deduction option.

If you are one of the many Taxpayers hoping for a tax refund it is crucial to submit your return ‘right’!

That is, submit it with all the necessary supporting documentation. This step can save you and the ATO time and effort.

And with Tax Time fast approaching,

• it is a timely reminder to start now and get your ‘paperwork in order’.  
• Also, make sure you have all the ‘evidence’, such as receipts, to substantiate your claims for deductions.  This applies to all claims.
• Be aware, the ATO recently announced it is putting the microscope on tax deductions. Remote workers, landlords and workers taking a liberal approach when claiming travel expenses can expect scrutiny as part of a compliance crackdown. 
• Have a job second that generates income remember to declare it! Freelancers, Influencers are also on the ATO's radar. 
• Taxpayers, those ‘work-from-homers' are reminded of the changes to the generous tax concessions offered during the pandemic. Changes, effective from March 1 this year. Anyone making these claims must now prove how much time they spent working from home and what were actual work expenses, not to be confused with household expenses.

 To claim or not to claim! 

It’s important to know what a legitimate claim is and isn’t and that can be confusing. Avoid mistakes, if you need advice contact Blackburn Accounting, we are experienced and available to help you maximise your return within the ATO guidelines.   

With costs of living spiraling what better way to add to your cashflow than with a tax refund cheque! 

 It's that time of year! 

Follow these 7 Tips to take the worry out of your Tax-Time. 

1. Prepare now. Start gathering all the information you need.  Receipts, tabs stored in a shoebox or bottom drawer, it’s time to take action. Sort, file, label and get your records up to date. You will need documents such as Income statements, bank statements, investment records, and private health insurance statements. If you are self-employed or a freelancer, you need Business income and expense records. 

2. Getting it right the first time saves both you, your accountant and ATO Office valuable time, work and effort.  Make sure your end of year Income Statement is complete with all relevant details before submitting. Don’t guess vital facts. Mistakes can be costly, causing delays in processing and attracting potential penalties. It also slows down receiving your refund if you are due.  

3. Declare all sources of income. This includes all types of employment and occupations, such as ‘side-hustles’, or selling services via an app. Each source of income will have different deductions available, depending on the nature of the income and the occupation. 

   Read more...

The following tips will help guide you when preparing this year's tax return, whether you or a Professional are lodging it.

1. Get it Right the first time

2. Support deductions with evidence

3. Know what is ‘claimable’

1.Getting it ‘right’ the first time saves both you and the ATO time and effort. Make sure your end of year Income Statement is complete with all relevant facts. Don’t guess vital information and avoid submitting incorrect or misleading data. Mistakes can cause delays in processing, there is potential for penalties and can slow down receiving a refund if due.

2.Support your deductions with evidence. If you are claiming any expenses, such as ‘remote’ or working from home costs be prepared to provide proof, (receipts/ documents) to support eligibility. All deductions require evidence to back a claim.

3.Know what is claimable. Know what you are entitled to claim! For example, work-related education and training and donations to charitable organisations. Also, subscriptions, union and membership fees if they are work related. But remember if your company pays for them, you are not entitled to claim the cost.

Call on an expert to help you get the most out of your hard work and tax dollar!

Contact Blackburn Accounting, we tick all the boxes when it comes to tax matters.

We will work closely with you to help avoid any mistakes, to stay in compliance with tax laws and make sure you claim all the deductions you are entitled to.  Don't delay, contact us now to make your appointment.

• ATO General interest charges are no longer tax-deductible. 

From 1 July 2025, interest charged by the ATO for late payments or underpayments will no longer be tax deductible.  

• Super Guarantee (SG), from 1 July 2025, will increase to 12%. 

Message from the ATO. ‘The 12% rate will need to be applied for all salary and wages paid to eligible workers on and after 1 July. This is even if some or all of the pay period it relates to is before 1 July. This is the final scheduled increase’. 

Don’t hesitate, contact Blackburn Accounting if you have any questions or concerns regarding these changes or enquiries about other taxation matters. 

Are you an enterprising entrepreneur participating in the ‘gig’ economy? 

Yes!  

With the summer holidays, a busy time of the year for some, your side activities may be popular and well patronised. If so, be prepared for your next tax-time reporting. 

But whatever your product, goods or service, be aware that income generated from side-hustles is now in focus by the ATO. 

With record numbers of taxpayers now working multiple jobs or supplementing their income with ‘side hustles’ or ‘gig’ economy activities, the ATO is reminding taxpayers to declare all their income when lodging their tax returns. 

Earnings are no longer hidden. Digital service platforms are now legally required to report income earned by their users under the Sharing Economy Reporting Regime  (SERR). 

 How is your Business heartbeat! Is it pumping steadily? 

Is your Business flourishing, functioning at full capacity or coughing and spluttering along. 

Not well!  

Don't put it off, seek help! 

• Just as we are encouraged to look after our own health with an annual check-up, it makes good sense to undertake a health check of your Business.  
• We all know the importance of having our body's major systems running smoothly and effectively to let us enjoy our activities, work, leisure and play. Our check-ups are the means to assess functioning ability and detect any problems. No different to your Business, a Health Check-up will assess components, measure performance, and identify deficiencies, and ailments. It will also reveal what is working well.  
• In essence, a full diagnosis provides a current and comprehensive review of the Business financial stability, compliance risk, structure and key operational functions and processes. It allows you to see the ‘results’ and know the actual health of your Business! Importantly, if any ‘signs of disease’ determine what treatment is needed if any. 

The benefits of undertaking a Business Health Check-up are many! 

Let’s start with the top 7 areas to examine: 

1. Goal Setting 

2. Financial Status 

3. Mental Health & Wellbeing 

4. Workplace Safety 

5. Policies, Processes & Procedures 

6. Marketing 

7. Seek expert help if needed 

1. Goal Setting: Provides a solid framework or skeleton, supporting your Vision and Mission statements that are both inspirational and motivational forces. Having well defined goals with a set of criteria helps you take control of your Business direction, provides guidance and the opportunity to monitor targets and outcomes.  Following the SMART goal setting method is an option. 

2. Financial Status: Debt, earnings and equity! Finances, the heart of every Business. Know your bottom line! A complete examination looks at stability, profitability, cashflow, and balance sheet. We all need a healthy heart beating! 

The headlines say it all! Read and decide for yourself if this is the Budget to save our nation!

Highlights for Taxpayers and Small Business include:

New Tax cuts for every Australian Taxpayer:

The Government will deliver more tax cuts to all Australian taxpayers, to be delivered over the next two years.  

• From 1 July 2026, the 16 per cent tax rate, which applies to taxable income between $18,201 and $45,000, will be reduced to 15 per cent. 

• From 1 July 2027, this tax rate will be reduced further to 14 per cent. 

Supporting Small Businesses 

Easing the pressure on small Business:  

• The Government is extending energy bill relief for six months to the end of 2025. Around one million eligible small businesses will receive up to $150 in rebates directly off their bills.  

• The Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises program is providing $56.7 million in grants of up to $25,000 to over 2,400 businesses, funding a range of energy upgrades, such as replacing inefficient appliances and improving heating systems. 

• The Government is supporting the hospitality sector and alcohol producers, by pausing indexation on draught beer excise and excise equivalent customs duty rates and by support available under the existing Excise remission scheme for manufacturers of alcoholic beverages and Wine Equalisation Tax Producer rebate.  

• In addition, the Government expects around 1.5 million sole traders to benefit from the Government’s tax cuts for every taxpayer. 

Levelling the playing field: 

• The Government will work with states and territories on extending Unfair Trading Practices protections to small businesses. 

• The Government is providing $7.1 million over two years to strengthen the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s enforcement of the Franchising Code. The Government will extend protections from Unfair Contract Terms and Unfair Trading Practices to businesses regulated by the Franchising Code, subject to consultation. 

Digital and Cyber security supports: