Fuel tax credit rate

Changes made to the Fuel Tax Credit system (FTC) on 1 July have to potential to significantly impact FTC entitlements for many SMEs.

Businesses that have a fleet of more than one vehicle will need to familiarise themselves with the changes to avoid paying too much tax.

The biggest change is that fuel used in off-road activities, such as forklifts will become entitled to the full credit rate.  Before 1 July such vehicles only qualified for a half credit rate.

The other major change involves the taxation of gaseous fuels (LNG, LPG and CNG).  These fuels that are supplied for use in non-transport activities were previously not subjected to tax.  The carbon tax now applies to these fuels.  They will now only receive a partial exemption from tax on gaseous fuels.

Users of non-transport gaseous fuels may be able to recover some of the carbon tax placed on the fuel if their business is classified within an industry or use that is exempt from the clean energy measures.

The following table summarises the impact of the changes for the fuel tax credit update.

Super can to improve cashflow for SMEs

Experienced SME owners can reduce their outgoing costs by restructuring their wage programs to include the Transition to Retirement Pension.

The Income Tax Act allows for eligible SME owners to reduce wages and leave extra cashflow in the business through a mechanism called the Transition to Retirement Pension. This enables a portion of income to be earned from super,with considerable tax benefits.

SME owners over 55 can receive a highly tax advantaged pension from their super fund.  Once over 60, the pension becomes completely tax-free. This means that eligible owners can earn a portion of their income through their super fund while still working.  One benefit will be the reduction of wage bills to the SME, without compromising their take home income. One of the major benefit of SME owners placing themselves on some form of pension in a super fund is that the income from the assets that support a pension becomes tax-free in the super fund it iself.

For example, if a pension is supported by assets of $200,000 and the fund’s income on those assets is, say, $10,000, normally the tax on that income is $1,500 i.e.15 percent.  By simply receiving the minimum pension amount allowable SME owners can save themselves $1,500 tax within the super fund.

Financial planning for the festive season

In order to avoid the post festive credit card blues, planning and creating a budget well in advance will mean less debt stress in the New Year.

A few key things to remember:

1. Try making it an all-cash Christmas. It is surprising what a difference a few $20 or $50 notes tucked away here and there can make when it comes to buying Christmas presents.
2. Look through credit card statements to see how much is left to repay. While keeping this in mind, create a spending budget which also includes the potential interest, in order to be better prepared for the repayments.
3. Implement a few tried and tested money saving tips such as doing a secret Santa with a cap on the amount spent, and asking those coming to the Christmas party to bring in a plate of food.

It will also help to squeeze in a few extra repayments to the credit card bill, mortgage or loan before Christmas, so that there will be less to pay off in the New Year, even if the Christmas budget goes off track.

Attract customers with Christmas marketing tips

1. Offer an exact delivery date. This may appear difficult, but with some planning and organisation businesses can guarantee customers an all important delivery date- key to securing pre-Christmas sales.
2. Word emails well: According to the survey, the words “Christmas/New Year” and “sale” had the highest email opening rate, followed by “% off” and “Christmas/New Years”.
3. Consider gift idea campaigns. Not everyone will have the time leading up to Christmas to choose from a full catalogue. It may be a good idea to package and suggest a few key items that will allow customers to cross people off their Christmas wish list.

Implementing a few key strategies can work wonders in increasing Christmas sales and generating business interest in the all important festive season.

Federal Government passes Fair Work Amendment Bill

The Federal Government has finally passed the Fair Work Amendment bill, which includes both minor and major changes to industrial relations law.

Some of the key changes:

– Unfair Dismissal. The big issue for small businesses is that the new legislation has extended the unfair dismissal application to 21 days.

– Fair Work now has more power to strike down applications for award rate changes that have no reasonable prospects for success.

– There are some major changes to the role of unions, with Fair Work ruling that bargaining notices have to be more specific and that union officials can no longer be a bargaining representative for employees that do not belong to that union.

-There are also a few key changes to enterprise agreements, with clauses that allow employees to ‘opt out’ now prohibited. As well the act now bans anyone from making an enterprise agreement with just one employee.

Business Fraud

Last year business fraud over $100,000 hit the courts more than 61 times, totalling more than $131 million.

There are a few ways to minimise the potential of business fraud happening.

–       Start at the recruitment phase. Look for employment gaps in the potential employees history, do an internet search to see whether someone left under improper circumstances.

–       Notice different or anti-social behaviour of employees. Also look for circumstances changing, such as their partner losing their job or an illness in the family. These things happen to everyone, but it can cause a lot of stress and anxiety and may cause them to find risky solutions to their problems.

–       Check on the accounting systems in place. Avoid having all the business asset eggs in one basket. Separate responsibilities for those who record and those who have power to confirm any changes.

– Regularly review bank reconciliations to check for a growing discrepancy between accounting records and actual cash and be aware of who can authorise payments and change accounting records.

Super contributions due

This tax year the ATO will be targeting employers who fail to pay super for contract workers. Many employers fail to realise that some contractors are considered employees under super guarantee law.

If employers fail to pay their super obligations, they will have to lodge a Super Guarantee Charge Statement. This will pay the super guarantee charge to the ATO.

Employers should seek advice in order to determine whether their contractors are eligible for super contributions.

Paid parental leave obligations

As of 1 July 2011, businesses which fail to fulfill the Federal Government’s new ‘paid parental leave’ obligations will receive penalties imposed by the Fair Work Ombudsmen.

Businesses should update their payroll systems to make sure they are fulfilling all relevant obligations. These include:

• Withholding tax from Parental Leave Pay under the usual PAYG withholding arrangements.
• Include Parental Leave Pay in the total amounts on their employee
  
  General News

• Understanding employment contracts

  Posted on September 7th, 2011 admin No comments

  A recent decision in the New South Wales Court of Appeal is a reminder for businesses throughout the country to ensure that bonus provisions in contracts of employment properly reflect the intent of both parties.

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  • Changes to unfair dismissal

    Posted on September 7th, 2011 admin No comments

    On 1 January 2011, the definition of what constitutes a small business changed. Businesses must now have fifteen or less employees – including full time, part time and regular casual employees – to be considered a small business.

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