The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced the introduction of Payday Super, a major change to how employers pay superannuation contributions. From 1 July 2026 , employers will be required to pay their employees’ super at the same time as their salary and wages, rather than quarterly. Super contributions will need to reach employees’ super funds within seven calendar days of payday . The reform is designed to reduce unpaid super, improve transparency, and help employees receive their retirement savings sooner. Employers will need to review their payroll systems, processes, and cash-flow management to ensure they can meet the new payment timeframes. Businesses are encouraged to begin preparing early to ensure a smooth transition ahead of the 2026 start date. Please use the link below or contact our office for more information. About PayDay Super
The ATO is actively using departure prohibition orders ('DPOs') as part of a broader shift towards strengthening payment performance and debt collection. A DPO is an enforcement action available to the ATO to prevent certain persons with tax liabilities from leaving Australia without paying their outstanding tax. Since July 2025, the ATO has issued 21 DPOs, more than the total number issued in the entire financial year ended 30 June 2025. The ATO notes that a taxpayer was recently prevented from boarding a flight in the early hours of the morning due to a DPO imposed because of deliberate non-payment of a significant debt. Please contact our office for more information.
The Bureau of Meteorology have issued a long-range forecast for February to April 2026. Here’s where we come in. Weather forecasts don’t bankrupt farms, unplanned decisions do. 🌦️🚜 A long-range outlook might say “hotter and drier than normal.” but this is what that actually means when you run it through the numbers ⬇️ Yield scenarios: good / average / bad year Revenue ranges under each outcome Break-even yields and prices Cash-flow impact if rain is 10–15% below normal From there, smarter moves follow: Don’t over-invest in seed, fertilizer, or irrigation ahead of a tough year Decide if drought-tolerant crops reduce downside risk See which acres carry the most financial exposure Then comes survival planning: Month-by-month cash-flow forecasts Knowing when money gets tight not just if Lining up operating credit before stress hits Layer in risk management: Crop insurance levels that actually pencil out Revenue vs. yield protection tradeoffs Marketing decisions that balance price risk with production risk And finally, capital discipline: Delay big equipment buys in risky years Lease instead of buy when cash matters Invest aggressively only when the forecast supports it Bottom line: A forecast tells you what might happen, Good business advice tells you how to survive it and still farm next year. 🌾 Please click the link below or contact our office for more information. BOM's Long Range Weather Forecast
The Bureau of Meteorology have issued a long-range forecast for February to April 2026. Here’s where we come in. Weather forecasts don’t bankrupt farms, unplanned decisions do. A long-range outlook might say “hotter and drier than normal.” but this is what that actually means when you run it through the numbers. Yield scenarios: good / average / bad year Revenue ranges under each outcome Break-even yields and prices Cash-flow impact if rain is 10–15% below normal From there, smarter moves follow: Don’t over-invest in seed, fertilizer, or irrigation ahead of a tough year Decide if drought-tolerant crops reduce downside risk See which acres carry the most financial exposure Then comes survival planning: Month-by-month cash-flow forecasts Knowing when money gets tight not just if Lining up operating credit before stress hits Layer in risk management: Crop insurance levels that actually pencil out Revenue vs. yield protection tradeoffs Marketing decisions that balance price risk with production risk And finally, capital discipline: Delay big equipment buys in risky years Lease instead of buy when cash matters Invest aggressively only when the forecast supports it Bottom line: A forecast tells you what might happen, Good business advice tells you how to survive it and still farm next year. Please click the link below or contact our office for more information. BOM's Long Range Weather Forecast
The Administrative Review Tribunal ('ART') recently held that a taxpayer had carried on an enterprise of dog breeding for GST purposes. He had lodged activity statements for the quarters ended 30 September 2018 to 31 December 2021 inclusive, claiming input tax credits ('ITCs') for the dog breeding activities he carried on from his home (among other activities). The ATO disallowed the taxpayer's claims for the above periods, arguing that enterprises were not carried on, and that there was a lack of appropriate substantiation (among other reasons). The ART however held that the taxpayer's dog breeding operation was an enterprise for GST purposes, noting that his activities had "the necessary commercial character." Therefore, the taxpayer was entitled to ITCs for that enterprise. However, the ART affirmed the ATO's decision to reduce the taxpayer's other ITC claims, such as in relation to stamp duty on the acquisition of a property and for café and grocery expenses. The ART also admonished the taxpayer for apparently using artificial intelligence in the presentation of his case, as he appeared to rely on cases and principles that did not exist. Please contact our office for more information.
Taxpayers should note that GST credits and fuel tax credits will expire if not claimed within the 4-year credit time limit (i.e., generally four years from the due date of the original BAS in which the taxpayer could have claimed them). Once credits expire, the ATO has no discretion or ability to amend the assessment to include those credits. The 4-year credit time limit is different to the period of review and applies more strictly. There may be situations where the ATO is able to amend for overpaid or underpaid GST or overclaimed credits, but additional credits cannot be included in an amendment assessment. If credits are near expiry, instead of writing to request an amendment, taxpayers should consider: claiming the credits in their next BAS that is still within the 4-year credit time limit; requesting the amendment by lodging a revised BAS for the tax period to which the credits are attributable (these are generally processed faster than amendment requests in other forms); or lodging a valid objection against their assessment for the period to which the GST credits are attributable before the end of the 4-year credit time limit. Please contact our office for more information.
The Government recently announced that it was delivering on its commitment "to mandate cash acceptance for essential purchases by finalising regulations that require fuel and grocery retailers to accept cash from 1 January 2026." The changes mean that, from 1 January 2026 , most food and grocery retailers must accept cash for in-person transactions of $500 or less between 7am and 9pm. Small businesses with aggregate annual turnover under $10 million are generally exempted from this mandate. However, this mandate still applies to small businesses that choose to share a trademark with a large retailer. The Government noted that, in addition to the cash mandate for fuel and groceries, consumers also already have the option to pay their bills, including utilities, phone bills and council rates, in cash at their local Australia Post outlet through Post Billpay. The Government will review this mandate after three years, to ensure it is functioning as intended. Please contact our office for more information.
The ATO is warning the community to steer clear of an emerging tax scheme involving barter credits — a type of alternative currency used in some business networks. A tax scheme that involves artificially inflating deductions for donations of barter credits to deductible gift recipients ('DGRs') is on the rise. While it may seem enticing, promoters and taxpayers could face potentially significant consequences if they are involved. The ATO is concerned that such schemes are being enabled by several barter exchanges that are allowing participants to access barter credits with a nominal face value that is much more than any payments actually made to the exchange. Participants then donate these barter credits to a DGR and claim a larger tax deduction than they are entitled to. Those involved may have to repay the tax, plus face heavy penalties, interest and legal action. Please contact our office for more information.
The ATO has announced that it will take a somewhat different approach in relation to expenses that are claimed in relation to holiday homes. Broadly, the ATO now takes the view that, if a taxpayer's rental property is also their holiday home, certain deductions relating to holding it will be completely denied (rather than being apportioned). Expenses relating to ownership and use of the holiday home (e.g., interest, rates and maintenance) will not be deductible, unless the holiday home is 'mainly' used to produce assessable income. Whether a holiday home is used 'mainly' to produce assessable income will be determined based on a consideration of a number of factors. However, this will generally not apply to expenses incurred in relation to holiday homes that are rental properties before 1 July 2026, if those expenses are incurred under an arrangement entered into prior to 12 November 2025. Please contact our office for more information.
The ATO has hit a major milestone of over 300,000 tip-offs from the community about tax avoidance and other dishonest behaviours since 1 July 2019. In the 2024/25 financial year alone, almost 50,000 red flags were raised by members of the community who spotted something suspicious. Most of the tip-offs received related to shadow economy activity, coming from customers, employees, other businesses, and even family and friends. This year, Australians reported businesses and individuals who: did not declare their income; demanded or paid for work in cash to avoid tax; lived lifestyles that did not match their known income; and failed to report all sales. The top three industries seeing a surge in 'red flags' this financial year are: building and construction; cafes and restaurants; and hairdressing and beauty services. Please contact our office for more information.