Wright Evans Partners

Looking for more than just an accountant?

At Wright Evans Partners, we work alongside individuals, families and businesses to provide practical accounting, tax and business advice that helps you achieve your goals.

From tax planning and business structuring to long-term growth strategies, we're here to help every step of the way.

Need finance or wealth advice too? Through Wright Evans Lending and Wright Evans Planning, we can support your complete financial journey.

📞 Contact us today and discover how strategic advice can grow your success.

AML/CTF Reforms Are Now in Effect – What This Means for Businesses

Australia's expanded Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regime is now in operation, with new obligations applying to certain services provided by accounting firms.

As a result, clients may notice additional identity verification and due diligence requirements when engaging with services such as business structuring, trust establishment, company formation, registered office services and other designated activities.

While this may mean providing some extra information or documentation, these reforms are designed to strengthen Australia's financial system and help protect businesses from financial crime.

At Wright Evans Partners, we have implemented the necessary processes to meet our obligations while keeping the experience as simple and efficient as possible for our clients.

You may be asked to provide:
- Proof of identity
- Details of directors, shareholders or trustees
- Beneficial ownership information
- Supporting documentation for specific transactions or structures

These are now standard requirements under Australia's AML/CTF framework and are an important part of maintaining transparency, trust and business integrity.

Our team is here to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have. Read more about it here: http://bit.ly/4bNFkWE

ATO Launches New ‘Verify Call’ Feature to Combat Scammers

With thousands of ATO impersonation scams reported, especially during tax time, Australians now have a simple, powerful way to protect themselves.

The ATO app’s new “verify call” feature allows you to confirm in real time whether you’re actually speaking with the ATO or a scammer.

💡 How it works:

1. Download the ATO app and register your device.

2. When you receive a call claiming to be from the ATO, open the app and select verify call.

3. Within 30 seconds, you’ll receive a notification confirming if it’s genuine.

No notification? Hang up—it’s likely a scam.

🔐 This feature strengthens existing protections, including real-time account alerts and account locking, giving taxpayers more control and confidence when managing their tax and super on the go.

With scammers becoming increasingly sophisticated, this is a timely and practical step toward shutting them down.

✅ Reminder: When in doubt, stop and check before acting on any call or message claiming to be from the ATO.

Important Update for Employers: Payday Super is Coming

From 1 July 2026, super is changing in a big way.

✅ Super must be paid on payday (not quarterly)

✅ Contributions must reach the fund within 7 business days

✅ New calculation rules apply based on qualifying earnings (QE)

⚠️ What to watch:

- July 2026 will be a busy transition month with both quarterly and payday obligations due

- Late or incorrect payments can trigger stricter penalties and interest

👉 What should you do now?

1. Review your payroll and cash flow

2. Check your systems are ready

3. Start aligning super payments with payroll

Learn more: https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/super-for-employers/payday-super/payday-super-resources

Your trusted advisor at Wright Evans Partners is here to help you prepare and stay compliant.

Happy Easter 🐣

When does a hobby become a business?

Many people don’t realise that their hobby or side hustle can quietly cross the line into a business from a tax perspective.

If you’re earning money regularly, you may already be carrying on a business, even if you don’t think of yourself as one.

Generally, a business exists where there are ongoing and repeated activities with an intention to make a profit, such as:
✔️ Regularly selling goods or providing services
✔️ Holding licences or permits where required
✔️ Keeping records of income and expenses

On the flip side, it may not be a business if:
➖ The activity is a one-off
➖ There’s no intention to make a profit
➖ You’re working solely as an employee, not independently

The distinction matters because it affects tax obligations, deductions, and reporting. If you’re unsure whether your hobby or side hustle has become a business, it’s worth getting advice early, before tax time surprises you.

Exciting Opportunity: Intermediate Accountant

Are you ready to take the next step in your accounting career? We're looking for a motivated Intermediate Accountant to join our boutique Chartered Accounting firm.

If you thrive in a collaborative environment, enjoy problem‑solving, and want to take the next step in your career with a firm that values growth and people — we’d love to hear from you.

✅ Supportive team environment

✅ Professional development opportunities

✅ Work with a firm that invests in your future

Ready to elevate your accounting career?

👉 Apply via SEEK with your cover letter and resume. https://www.seek.com.au/job/91054276.

We look forward to hearing from you!

We’re Hiring! Customer Service Officer / Financial Adviser Assistant

Ready to kick start or grow your career in financial planning? We’re looking for a motivated team member to support our advisers and help deliver high quality client experiences.

What you’ll do:
• Support advisers with applications + client review tasks
• Prepare SOAs/ROAs, file notes & follow ups
• Communicate with clients via phone/email
• Maintain CRM data + assist with compliance workflows
• General admin support

You’ll thrive here if you:
✅ Are detail driven and organised
✅ Communicate well
✅ Enjoy learning and using modern systems
✅ Want a long term career path in advice

Why Join Us:
• Supportive, collaborative team
• Structured training + mentoring
• Study support + pathway to your Professional Year
• Real exposure to advice and strategy work
If you’re enthusiastic and ready to build a meaningful career in financial planning, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Apply with your resume + a short cover letter - https://www.seek.com.au/job/90943956

Big Changes to Employee Super Are Coming!

From 1 July 2026, the ATO is introducing Payday Super — and if you employ staff, this will affect how you process payroll.
Here’s what you need to know.

💼 What’s Changing?
🔹 Super must be paid on payday
No more quarterly payments — super needs to be sent to your employees’ super funds every pay run and received within 7 business days.
🔹 Super will be calculated differently
Instead of just ordinary time earnings (OTE), super will be based on Qualifying Earnings (QE), which includes OTE plus other payments.
🔹 Stronger penalties for late payments
If super isn’t paid and received on time, the super guarantee charge will apply — with daily interest.
🔹 Single Touch Payroll will expand
Employers will need to report both QE and super liability in each pay cycle.
🔹 Small Business Super Clearing House is closing
SBSCH will close on 30 June 2026, so businesses will need a new solution to process super.

✅ What Should Employers Do Now?
✔ Review your payroll software and processes
✔ Consider shifting to more frequent super payments now
✔ Talk to your bookkeeper or accountant
✔ Keep up to date with ATO announcements

These changes are designed to help employees grow their super faster — but they also mean businesses need to prepare early.
If you need help reviewing your payroll setup or understanding how this impacts your business, we’re here to help. 👋

A Timely Reminder on Substantiation as ART Rejects $61K in Work‑Related Expense Claims

The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) has recently affirmed the ATO’s decision to deny over $61,000 in work‑related expense deductions claimed by a taxpayer, highlighting how critical proper evidence is when lodging returns.

The taxpayer, an engineer working partly from home, claimed a range of deductions—including car, travel, clothing, and home office expenses. The ART disallowed many of these due to inadequate substantiation.

Key issues included:

🔍 Car expenses:
Logbooks were not kept contemporaneously and didn’t match independent records such as vehicle service documentation.

🔍 Travel expenses:
Claims for taxi and rideshare trips lacked essential details (dates, times, destinations), and the taxpayer could not clearly distinguish reimbursed from unreimbursed travel.

🔍 Home office expenses:
Only estimated business‑use percentages were provided, without evidence of the actual utility costs. The ART also found the apportionment method neither fair nor reasonable.

💡 Takeaway for taxpayers:
Work‑related expenses are only deductible when you can clearly demonstrate both eligibility and substantiation. Estimates without documentation are unlikely to withstand ATO scrutiny.

If you or your team need guidance on record‑keeping or ensuring your deductions meet compliance standards, our firm is here to support you.