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Staying on top of your tax obligations is crucial for every business. Missing key lodgement and payment deadlines set by the Australian Tax Office (ATO) can result in penalties, interest charges, and unnecessary stress. To help you stay organised, here are the essential dates for August and September 2024.
And remember, with Attune Advisory on your side, you won’t need to keep a calendar. Our tax advisory team are always on the pulse and will request information from you when it’s required so you’re never behind on lodgements or payments.
• Quarter 4 (April–June) Activity Statements
– Final Lodgement Date: Ensure your electronically lodged activity statements are completed by this date.
– Action Items:
– Refer to Lodging your activity statements online for eligibility on extended lodgement dates.
– Finalise all your PAYG instalments before lodging your tax return to ensure accurate credits in your income tax assessment.
• PAYG Withholding Payment Summary Annual Report
– Final Lodgement Date: Summarise all employee payments and withholdings from salary, wages, and other payments.
– Important Notes:
– These amounts should already be reported at labels W1 and W2 on your previous financial year activity statements.
• Employee Share Scheme (ESS) Annual Report
– Final Lodgement Date: Ensure that your ESS annual report is lodged by this date.
• July Monthly Activity Statements
– Final Lodgement Date: Ensure all lodgement and payments are completed by this date.
• GST Reporting
– Final Lodgement Date: Eligible monthly GST reporters must elect to report GST annually by this date.
• Taxable Payments Annual Report
– Final Lodgement Date: This report is due for businesses in the following industries:
– Building and construction
– Government entities
– Cleaning services
– Courier or road freight services
– Information technology services
– Security, investigation, or surveillance services
• Superannuation Guarantee Charge Statement
– Final Lodgement Date: Lodge and pay for quarter 4 (1 April–30 June) if super contributions were not paid on time.
– Key Points:
– You can offset late contributions against the super guarantee charge for the quarter.
– Note that the super guarantee charge is non-deductible for income tax purposes.
• Final Lodgement Date: Ensure that your August monthly business activity statement is lodged and paid by this date.
• PAYG Withholding Payment Summary Annual Report
– Final Lodgement Date: Lodge this report if prepared by a BAS agent or tax agent (excluding large withholders with annual withholdings over $1 million).
• Annual TFN Withholding Report 2024
– Final Lodgement Date: Required if a trustee of a closely held trust has withheld amounts from payments to beneficiaries.
Staying informed and timely with these key dates will help ensure your business remains compliant and avoids unnecessary penalties. So, for tailored advice and assistance with your tax obligations, get in touch with the Attune Advisory team on 1300 866 113 or send us a message to start the conversation – we're here to keep your business on track.
Hosting the Olympic Games is often seen as a significant opportunity for countries and cities to showcase their capabilities on a global stage. Despite the rising costs associated with hosting the event, the potential economic benefits cannot be overlooked.
There’s stakeholders of every kind when it comes to an city hosting an Olympic Games – from local advertisers, businesses their families all the way through to the state and nation hosting. So with that in mind, we thought we’d take a look at some of the impacts, benefits and concepts behind what an Olympic games means for the host.
The costs of hosting the Olympics have indeed skyrocketed over the years. The 2024 Paris Olympics is expected to be a critical test of whether recent reforms have made hosting a more viable financial option. Historically, the Olympics have evolved significantly since the first modern games in 1896. In the latter half of the 20th century, the costs associated with hosting and the revenue generated grew rapidly. This growth sparked considerable controversy over the financial burden placed on host countries.
A growing number of economists argue that the economic benefits of hosting the Olympics are often exaggerated. Critics highlight that many host countries end up with substantial debts and ongoing maintenance liabilities once the games have left their locality. These financial challenges have led to calls for reforms in the Olympic bidding and selection process. Suggestions include incentivising realistic budget planning, increasing transparency, and promoting sustainable investments that serve the public interest long after the Games have concluded.
Despite these criticisms, supporters of the Olympics contend that hosting the Games can significantly enhance a city’s global profile and drive economic benefits through tourism and infrastructure investments. The infrastructure developed for the Games often includes improvements in transportation, housing, and sports facilities, which can have long-term benefits for the host city. For instance, the 2000 Sydney Olympics led to substantial investments in the city’s infrastructure, which continue to benefit residents and businesses today.
This isn’t just in the form of sporting facilities, rather to make room for an event of scale, host cities like Sydney build serious improvements across the board to allow for attendees and athletes that create lasting impact for the city as a whole.
One of the primary economic benefits of hosting the Olympics is the short and long-term boosts to tourism. The influx of athletes, officials, and spectators from around the world can generate significant revenue for local businesses. Additionally, the global media coverage of the event can raise the profile of the host city, attracting future tourists and investors that would have otherwise not seen value in a locaiton. Again, with Sydney as an example, we saw a notable increase in tourism following the 2000 Olympics, with many visitors drawn by the city's enhanced global reputation – we knew it was a great place before-hand of course!
The long-term economic impact of hosting the Olympics is another critical consideration. While the initial investment can be substantial, the benefits can extend far beyond the closing ceremony. Improved infrastructure, increased tourism, and enhanced global visibility can contribute to sustained economic growth. Moreover, the skills and experience gained by local workers and businesses involved in organising and hosting the Games can have lasting positive effects on the local economy, making room for new business and opportunities not otherwise seen.
While the costs can be high, the potential economic benefits, including tourism, infrastructure development, and global exposure, are significant. By carefully planning and managing the financial aspects of hosting, cities can maximise these benefits and ensure a positive economic legacy. With the 2024 Paris Olympics underway, it will be interesting to see how recent reforms influence the economic outcomes for the host city and provide valuable lessons for future hosts, including Brisbane in 2032. We’ll be keeping a close eye!
Stay tuned to our socials and website for more.
Creating a Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) while a major financial decision, offer you unparalleled control and flexibility over your retirement savings. While it opens doors to customised investment strategies and personalised financial planning, it also entails significant responsibilities and strict regulatory adherence – which is where we come in to help.
An SMSF grants you direct management of your superannuation investments, allowing for investment strategies tailored to your specific financial objectives. However, with this control comes the obligation to comply with stringent legal and regulatory requirements.
Prior to setting up an SMSF, it’s crucial to have a solid grasp on the responsibilities and legal obligations involved. Educate yourself on investment strategies, risks, and regulations related to SMSFs to make well-informed decisions.
If you’re just starting out, book a chat with one of our SMSF specialists and we can give you the complete run down while assessing how an SMSF might work best for you.
An SMSF can have up to four members, all of whom must serve as trustees or directors of a corporate trustee. Individual trustees must be over 18, while corporate trustees must be a company with all members as directors.
Engage a legal professional to draft a trust deed, a fundamental document that outlines how the SMSF will be managed and operated, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
If you need guidance on who to speak to from a legal perspective, we can refer you to one of our experienced partners, so reach out for a referral if you require one.
Ensure that all trustees sign a trustee declaration within 21 days of assuming their role, acknowledging their understanding of their duties and obligations. By the time you’re appointing trustees, they should be aware of what’s involved, but once again, we can provide you the details to educate and inform your trustees if required.
To operate your SMSF legally, obtain a Tax File Number (TFN) and an Australian Business Number (ABN). You’ll need to register your SMSF with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to comply with tax regulations.
Again, this is something we can assist with as part of the set up process.
Formulate a detailed investment strategy that aligns with your financial goals. Consider factors such as diversification, risk tolerance, and liquidity to create a balanced and secure investment portfolio.
Building the best strategy for your unique situation is another key area we’re perfectly suited to assist with. Our experience means we can tailor our advice to you and help guide you with your strategy building.
Set up a bank account in the name of the SMSF to handle contributions, rollovers, and investments, ensuring a clear separation between your personal and SMSF finances.
This will operate solely for the purpose of your SMSF.
If members have existing superannuation accounts, roll these funds into the SMSF to consolidate and streamline your retirement savings.
Implement robust record-keeping systems to comply with reporting requirements. Maintain financial statements, member statements, and annual returns to ensure your SMSF meets regulatory standards.
There’s software to help with this – we can offer advice on the best methods to have easy to manage record-keeping as part of your SMSF.
Evaluate insurance options for SMSF members. Trustees are responsible for considering insurance needs to protect the fund and its members – this is a must.
Regularly review the performance of your SMSF and ensure it complies with current laws and regulations. We can be part of assisting you to submit the annual return to the ATO to maintain compliance and of course, through the life of your SMSF, the Attune team can help ensure operations undertaken within your SMSF are compliant.
Engage SMSF professionals – start with the Attune Advisory team and engage your existing financial advisers, and legal experts (if you have them), to ensure your SMSF is compliant and managed effectively.
The right, tailored professional advice is invaluable in navigating the complexities of SMSF management.
Attune Advisory can help you take control of your retirement savings with a Self Managed Super Fund. So, if you’re looking for assistance with setting up or managing your SMSF, Attune Advisory's experts offer a range of advisory and support services. Whether you aim to manage your retirement investments better, maximise tax advantages, or stay compliant with ever-changing regulations, our experienced team will guide you through the entire process.
Reach out to us via email or call the Attune team on 1300 866 113 to start the conversation. You’ll be glad you did.
Through our decades of experience in the financial services industry, we have assisted countless small business owners to move from early stages of starting the journey, into business maturity.
And as new businesses kick off and grow, we thought we’d compile a list of essential accounting tips for small businesses so you can maintain order and promote growth in your own business. Of course, we can help you create the right strategy for your business in all areas we discuss below, so keep that in mind as you read…
Our top tip is to delegate your bookkeeping. Spending countless hours on bookkeeping can be inefficient – especially when you bring other skills to the business.
Instead, follow the adage, "Work on your business, not in your business." Effective bookkeeping involves more than reliability; it includes automating functions to free up your time for business growth.
Choosing the correct business structure can significantly impact your tax obligations and asset protection. You can opt for:
• Company
• Trust
• Sole trader
• Partnership
Your business structure influences succession planning, attracting investors, and scaling your business. The Attune team will discuss your current situation and your goals before giving you assistance with your business structure – it’s all about tailoring our advice to give you the best results.
In the 21st century, cloud software is indispensable for accounting. Utilise cloud-based filing systems and tools like Xero for tracking expenses and mileage. This transition not only reduces physical paperwork but also streamlines your financial management.
Once again, you don’t have to try and set this all up alone – speak with the Attune team for a little help and advice that can get you going in no time.
For businesses dealing with stock, inventory management systems are crucial. They automate stock tracking, prevent overordering, and help maintain optimal cash flow. Advanced systems can even notify you when stock levels are low.
Be done with complex spreadsheets, software is the way to go.
A competent accountant is invaluable – that’s where we come in. Among many other things, we can assist you with:
• Setting up the best business structure
• Overseeing tax compliance
• Managing cash flow and strategic planning
Attune’s holistic business advisory and accounting service can guide you through business growth and set you up for success.
Utilise software like Xero and Spotlight Reporting to forecast cash flows and budgets. Setting goals and benchmarking performance helps you anticipate trends and identify areas for improvement.
Do this regularly to make sure your goals and plans suit the current state of your business.
Third-party HR or payroll assistance ensures compliance with award rates and regulations. They also help manage employee leave entitlements and overtime obligations. Automating payroll functions with Xero can streamline these processes, but it’s incredibly important you have the right inputs to get the right output.
Make a point of speaking to a HR lawyer about your payroll if you have staff on multiple pay rates and awards.
Avoid double handling of paperwork by integrating your point of sale, accounting, and filing systems. Using software like Xero provides real-time data on your business performance, allowing for timely issue resolution.
There’s other options out there that might suit your point of sale best, so do your research!
A digital dashboard in your accounting software (we like Xero) collates all your business numbers for easy tracking. Understanding your financials helps you identify your breakeven point and manage cash flow effectively. Maintaining a separate account for tax and GST is also advisable so nothing gets tangled up.
Franchises have unique financial challenges, including higher setup costs and complex payroll needs. Specialist advice can assist with valuation, planning, and accounting for franchises, ensuring your business runs smoothly from day one.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a food chain or sporting goods store, Attune’s specialist advice will ensure you’re doing everything you’re obligated to and of course, getting the best results you can from the structure!
If you’re looking for help starting or growing your business, speak with the Attune Advisory team today. We’re here to offer strategic, tailored advice that will keep you on the road to success. Call the team on 1300 866 113 or send us an email to start the conversation.
