Business Accounting Professionals

20/10/2026

Employers - New ATO rule for Payday Super assessments!

Information only and isn’t applicable to you.

The ATO has released a new draft practice statement PS LA 2026/D4 about how they will make Commissioner-initiated assessments under section 36 if super is not paid correctly under Payday Super.

Key points:
- Old rule LCR 2007/10 still applies up to 30 June 2026 (quarterly system)
- New rule applies from 1 July 2026 when Payday Super starts
- Good news: First year compliance approach has NOT changed - ATO says they will support employers who are trying to do the right thing
- Feedback open until 13 November 2026

From 1 July 2026, super must be paid within 7 business days of payday - not quarterly. If not, the ATO can make an assessment against you.

Source: https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/business-bulletins-newsroom/commissioner-initiated-assessments-under-payday-super
General info only. This is not personal tax advice. Tax laws change. You should seek advice specific to your circumstances from a registered tax agent before acting.

You can provide feedback until 13 November on draft guidance for Commissioner-initiated assessments under Payday Super.

16/10/2026

Think getting free money from the ATO with a fake business is easy money? Think again - People are going to JAIL! 🚨

*Information only and isn’t applicable to you. *

The ATO's Operation Protego is cracking down on GST refund fraud promoted on social media.

How the scam works: Get an ABN for a fake business, lodge fake BAS statements, try to get GST refunds you are not entitled to.

Latest results:

- 2 years 4 months jail for a man who tried to claim $452,000 in fake GST
- 24 months jail for a lawn mowing business that never existed - $64,500 taken

The ATO says: Nobody is giving money away for free. If you don't run a business you don't need an ABN. It is fraud and you will have a criminal record, debt that never goes away, and trouble getting loans, insurance and travel.

If someone on social media promises you easy ATO money - it is a scam.

Source: https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/tax-avoidance/the-fight-against-tax-crime/our-focus/refund-fraud/gst-refund-fraud-attempts/operation-protego
General info only. This is not personal tax advice. Tax laws change. You should seek advice specific to your circumstances from a registered tax agent before acting.

Sentencing details for Operation Protego, an ATO-led investigation into large-scale GST fraud.

13/10/2026

Heads up - You won't be able to pay the ATO with a credit card after 30 June 2027! 💳🚫

The ATO just announced:

From 1 October 2026 a new rule says they can't charge you the credit card surcharge fee. Because they get charged a fee when you pay by credit card, they are stopping credit card payments altogether from 30 June 2027.

So after that date, you will need to use BPAY, bank transfer, direct debit etc. Check all options at ato.gov.au/howtopay

If you use your credit card for BAS or tax bills for points or cashflow - time to plan ahead!

Source: https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/using-our-website/easier-to-read-information/paying-with-credit-card-easier-to-read
General info only. This is not personal tax advice. Tax laws change. You should seek advice specific to your circumstances from a registered tax agent before acting.

This information about credit card payment is written in a way that is easy to read.

09/10/2026

ATO has finalised a bunch of big tax rules for 2026 - Here's what matters to you! 📝 *for information only*

The ATO just updated its 2026 completed guidance list:

🏠 Rental properties - New ruling on holiday homes & non-commercial rent (replaces a 40-year-old ruling!). The ATO is watching how you split expenses for holiday homes.

💻 Software & Cloud - New ruling on when software payments count as royalties - impacts IT & online businesses

💸 Payday Super is here - ATO released its first-year compliance approach - from 1 July 2026 you must pay super on payday, not quarterly!

👨👩👧👦 SMSF trustees - New rules on when you'll be sent to education for getting it wrong

Lots of changes that affect property investors, small businesses & super funds. If you're not sure, ask us!

Source: https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/ato-advice-and-guidance/advice-under-development-program/public-advice-and-guidance-completed-issues/2026-completed-issues
General info only. This is not personal tax advice. Tax laws change. You should seek advice specific to your circumstances from a registered tax agent before acting.

06/10/2026

Sole Traders - ATO is adding extra security to your tax account! 🔐

From March 2027, when you hire a new tax agent (like us!) or change your agent's permissions, you'll need to approve the link yourself in myGov or the ATO app.

It's called Client-to-Agent Linking - already used for companies, now coming for sole traders & individuals.

How it will work:
1. We start the link in our system
2. You get a notification in myGov / ATO app
3. You approve - then we can access your records

Why? To stop fraud and make sure only YOUR authorised agent can see your tax info.

Good news: Nothing changes right now - current system still works. Full rollout from November 2027.

Source: https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/small-business-newsroom/client-to-agent-linking-for-sole-traders-coming-soon
General info only. This is not personal tax advice. Tax laws change. You should seek advice specific to your circumstances from a registered tax agent before acting.

This will support secure and trusted interactions between your business and tax professionals.

02/10/2026

Claiming $ for your car at tax time? Don't fall for these 5 myths! 🚗💸

The ATO just called out the biggest mistakes with the cents per km method:

❌ 1. Home to work - You CAN'T claim your normal commute!
❌ 2. "No records for 5,000km" - You DO need records - how you got the kms, ownership, work trips.
❌ 3. Novated lease - If your car is on a novated lease, you CAN'T claim cents per km. The ATO knows!
❌ 4. Double dipping - You can't claim depreciation on top - it's already in the rate.
❌ 5. Mixing methods - You can't use cents per km for 6 months then logbook for 6 months. One method for the whole year.

Keep a diary or use the ATO app's myDeductions to track trips - it makes our job easier and keeps you safe.

Source: https://www.ato.gov.au/tax-and-super-professionals/for-tax-professionals/tax-professionals-newsroom/top-5-myths-busted-cents-per-kilometre-method
General info only. This is not personal tax advice. Tax laws change. You should seek advice specific to your circumstances from a registered tax agent before acting.

01/10/2026

Your chance to have a say with the ATO! 🗣️

Did you know the ATO is asking for feedback on new tax rules RIGHT NOW?

7 big topics open for consultation - comments close early October:

💰 Crypto - wrapping tokens & airdrops - how CGT applies
👷 Super Guarantee - how to work out SG for contractors
💼 Work expenses - the NEW standard deduction rule
🏥 GST for retirement villages & nursing homes
💻 Royalty payments for distribution deals

Most close 2nd October 2026 - this week!

This is how future ATO rulings get shaped. If you're into crypto, employ contractors, or work in aged care / retirement villages, this affects you.

Website: https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/consultation/what-we-are-consulting-about/open-consultation
General info only. This is not personal tax advice. Tax laws change. You should seek advice specific to your circumstances from a registered tax agent before acting.

You can participate in our open consultation. We encourage you to have your say.

30/09/2026

Got a Family Trust? ATO TFN reporting is changing! 📝

Good news - less paperwork!

If you're a trustee of a family trust / closely held trust:

✅ NO MORE quarterly TFN reports after 30 June 2026
✅ From now, you just report beneficiary TFNs in your annual trust tax return (statement of distribution) - starting with the 2027 return
❌ From 1 Oct 2026, you can't lodge the old TFN reports through your software anymore

BUT remember:
👉 If someone hasn't given you their TFN, you still need to withhold tax at the top rate
👉 If they have, you must keep it secure & private

Time to get your trust beneficiaries list tidy before year-end!

Source: https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/business-bulletins-newsroom/reminder-tfn-reporting-changes-for-closely-held-trusts
General info only. This is not personal tax advice. Tax laws change. You should seek advice specific to your circumstances from a registered tax agent before acting.

Trustees: ensure you're across the beneficiary TFN reporting changes and are prepared for how to report in 2027.

22/09/2026

Doing cash jobs and not lodging? The ATO is watching 👀

The ATO just announced an 80% jump in prosecutions for people not lodging tax returns in the shadow economy - with over $2.7 MILLION in fines in the last 2 years.

What is the shadow economy? Not paying tax or super you owe, demanding cash for work, or not paying staff entitlements.

What happened:
✅ 350+ people/businesses prosecuted
✅ 305+ criminal convictions
✅ Queensland was #1 - 28% of all prosecutions nationwide

The ATO says: "What might start as a shortcut can quickly become a dead end. The cost isn't just fines - we've seen business owners get criminal convictions, lose customers' trust, and even lose their business."

Being behind on tax isn't worth risking your business, house loan or reputation. If you're behind on lodgements, let's fix it before the ATO comes knocking.

Source: https://www.ato.gov.au/media-centre/out-of-the-shadows-shadow-economy-prosecutions-jump-eighty-per-cent
General info only. This is not personal tax advice. Tax laws change. You should seek advice specific to your circumstances from a registered tax agent before acting.

The ATO has significantly increased its use of prosecutions to combat non-lodgment shadow economy activity.

15/09/2026

⏳ ATO Interest (GIC) Remission Taking Longer? Here's Why.

If you've requested the ATO to waive General Interest Charge (GIC) on a tax debt recently, you may have noticed longer wait times.

The ATO Commissioner Rob Heferen confirmed this week that the ATO's new approach to GIC remission has led to longer wait times, but says it's the trade-off for more consistent and fair outcomes for all taxpayers.

What's changed:
🔹 New website guidance and new GIC remission forms
🔹 A dedicated review team for remission requests over $2,500
🔹 Phone remission now limited to $2,500 - complex cases go to specialist officers

The Commissioner said: "Every taxpayer should be treated alike... decisions should be based on circumstances and merits, not on who happens to answer the phone."

The ATO also warned it will not tolerate businesses using tax debts as working capital - if you have capacity to pay, pay.

If you have an ATO debt, talk to us BEFORE you request a remission. As your adviser, we can help structure the request and prioritise obligations.

Source: https://www.accountantsdaily.com.au/tax-compliance/22861-longer-wait-times-the-trade-off-for-more-consistent-gic-decisions-says-commissioner

General info only. This is not personal tax advice. Tax laws change. You should seek advice specific to your circumstances from a registered tax agent before acting.

The ATO Commissioner has acknowledged that the Tax Office’s new approach to general interest charge remission has led to longer wait times for decisions, but has stressed the importance of consistent outcomes for all taxpayers.