There have recently been changes to Australian Workplace Laws because of Coronavirus. Please refer to the Fair Work website for updates regarding these changes and the JobKeeper scheme.
Informative
AUSKey will no longer work from tonight
Don’t forget that from midnight tonight you won’t be able to use AUSkey to login to the ATO Business Portal.
AUSkey will be replaced with:
- myGovID – the Australian Government’s digital identity provider and a new way to prove your identity online. Establish your identity once and use your myGovID to access government services online.
- Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) – a new Australian Government authorisation service that allows you to link your myGovID to your ABN and manage who can act on behalf of your business online.
Get started today by downloading the myGovID app and setting up your digital identity. Then using RAM; link your ABN to your myGovID so you can work on behalf of your business online.
For more information on accessing online services with myGovID and RAM, please click here or for some tips and tricks please click here.
Assistance for your Business as a result of COVID-19
The following resources have been provided by Federal and NSW State Governments in relation to the Coronavirus outbreak in Australia.
Australian Government
Australian Taxation Office
- COVID-19
- The Australian Government’s Economic Response to Coronavirus
- COVID-19 frequently asked questions
Fair Work
Coronavirus and Australian workplace laws
Business.gov.au
Coronavirus information and support for business
The Treasury
Economic Response to the Coronavirus
Department of Health
Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert
NSW Government
Fair Trading NSW
Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs on consumer and business rights
SafeWork NSW
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Advice and guidance for NSW workplaces
NSW Health
SG Amnesty – a chance to set things right
If you haven’t paid the right amount of super guarantee (SG) to your workers, the SG amnesty is the time to come forward. If you disclose your SG shortfalls during the amnesty, you can rectify past unpaid SG without incurring charges or penalties.
The SG amnesty runs until 6 September 2020 however, given this is a Sunday, applications are accepted until 11.59pm on Monday 7 September 2020.
SG shortfalls for any quarter between 1 July 1992 and 31 March 2018 may be eligible if you have not been told we are examining your SG obligation for the period your disclosure relates to.
If you disclose your SG shortfalls and are found eligible:
- you must pay the SG shortfall plus interest
- any payments you make before 11.59pm on Monday 7 September 2020 in your local time are tax deductible, including payments through a payment plan.
However, you must pay your SG shortfalls (or payment instalments) to remain eligible. If you default on your payment plan, you will no longer be eligible for the amnesty.
It’s important you act on this opportunity now to get your obligations up to date. If you’re aware of any unpaid SG for the periods covered under the amnesty and choose not to come forward, the consequences will be significant. Penalties include:
- up to 200% penalty on top of the SG and interest you owe (minimum 100% penalty)
- administration charges ($20 per employee per quarter).
If you’ve been impacted by recent bushfires, we understand that your priority is on your family and community at this time. However, the law doesn’t allow us to vary the due date for lodgment of an SG amnesty application.
Please view other resources:
ATO: Superannuation guarantee amnesty
If you need assistance in lodging SG shortfalls, please Contact Us or Book a Chat.
Information provided by ATO Small Business Newsroom
Don’t let your business become a cyber crime statistic
Did you know using a simple statement like ‘I don’t like pineapple on my pizza!‘ as a password can take more than one year and costs scammers $107,000 to crack? The reason it’s a great password is it:
- is easy to remember
- has 35 characters
- includes an apostrophe, exclamation mark and spaces.
This is just one of the tips you can find in a range of resources available to help you protect your business. These resources have been developed by us and the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) who recently surveyed small businesses about cyber security.
The ACSC found 75% of small business owners surveyed are responsible for their own IT and almost half say they don’t know enough about cyber security.
Take a look at these resources and have a serious think about protecting your business.
Next steps:
Information provided by the ATO Small Business Newsroom
Reminder: Quarterly BAS Due
The Quarterly BAS for October to December is due for lodgement today.
If you have recently been impacted by the bushfires in the Hawkesbury, a BAS lodgement deferral is available to you. Please refer to information supplied by the ATO regarding the 2019-20 bushfires to view the support that is available to you.
Contact Us or Book a Chat to organise lodgement.
