As tax time approaches, the ATO has released some pertinent reminders for small businesses in preparing themselves for the end of this financial year and the start of the new financial year. The ATO has also highlighted that free courses are available on its small business online learning platform to help small business owners master their tax and superannuation obligations.
For Tax Time 2024, the ATO has encouraged small business owners to prepare by considering the following:
Purchase tax-deductible items: The last chance to purchase any tax-deductible items needed by the business is rapidly approaching with the end of the financial year on 30 June. Small businesses should ensure that any tax-deductible items can be documented both for cost and usage, including apportionment for work and private use where relevant.
Check small business concessions: Check if the business is eligible for any small business concessions. Small businesses, depending on eligibility, may be able to access a range of concessions based on their aggregated turnover – this applies to sole traders, partnerships, companies and trusts – including CGT concessions, the small business income tax offset or the small business restructure roll-over.
Finalise employees’ Single Touch Payroll (STP): The ATO reminds small businesses that if they have employees, the 2023-24 STP information must be finalised by 14 July. This important end-of-year obligation ensures that employees have the correct information required to lodge their income tax return. STP information for all employees paid in the financial year, even terminated employees, must be finalised.
Check your PAYG withholding and instalments: The Stage 3 tax cuts became law earlier this year. From 1 July, individual rates and thresholds will change and will impact PAYG withholding for the 2025 financial year. Small businesses should check that the correct PAYG withholding tax tables are being used and that their software has updated to the new withholding rates from 1 July. If a small business thinks that their PAYG instalments could result in paying too little or too much tax, instalments may be varied. This can be done when lodging the activity statement through Online Services for Business or via a registered tax agent. The variation should be lodged on or before the day the PAYG instalment is due and before lodging the tax return for the following financial year.
Review record-keeping: Looking toward the next financial year, small businesses should review their record-keeping from the past year and see if anything needs to be done differently.
As part of tax time preparation, the ATO encourages small business owners to consider the self-paced courses offered on the ATO’s online learning platform. Launched in February of this year, the online learning platform offers free courses to help small business owners understand their tax and superannuation obligations and is a useful resource for tax practitioners to share and use with staff and clients. Co-created by the ATO with small businesses and educational experts, the platform offers more than 20 courses including videos, case studies, audio content and written information, quizzes, and learning pathways that can be customised. Courses include:
