What small business needs to know about 1 July STP changes

As a small business owner, you’ve likely heard about Single Touch Payroll (STP) by now

For nearly two and a half years, the ATO initiative has helped Australia’s small businesses digitally report payroll, including salaries, wages, PAYG withholding tax and superannuation information.

Many employers will already be using STP. However, with the ATO rolling the initiative out in stages, there are still some that have been offered exemptions. That is, until now.

From 1 July this year, most small businesses will need to be STP compliant. This includes small employers with closely held payees, as well as some micro-businesses and seasonal employers. The changes could mean that you have to opt into STP for the first time or start firing employees who aren’t already being reported with the ATO.

If you’re feeling unsure about whether these changes will affect your business, we’ve compiled all the information you need to help determine your next steps.

What does ‘closely held’ mean?

According to the ATO, a ‘closely held’ payee (otherwise known as a closely held employee) is an individual directly related to the entity from which they receive payments. For example, this would include relatives in a family business, or beneficiaries of a trust fund.

Depending on your working arrangements, some businesses process irregular or infrequent pay runs for family members on their books. That’s why, up until 1 July of this year, small employers (with 19 or fewer payees) have been exempt from STP reporting of closely held payees.

What’s changing with how my business remunerates closely held payees?

By the end of FY21, employers with fewer than 19 employees will have to report closely held salaries or wages through STP. Whether it’s your sister, great-uncle, cousin or in-law, every family member on your books, counts. There are three payment reporting requirements to be aware of:

• Report and process payroll through STP on or before payday
• Report the accurate payroll amount with STP once per quarter, on or before the BAS due date
• Report a reasonable estimate with STP once per quarter, on or before the BAS due date

Out of the three reporting options, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach – it comes down to what works best for your business needs.

Are there any other changes to know about?

As well as small employers with closely held payees, some micro and seasonal employers will now have to report on or before the payment date – not quarterly – unless they receive a concession. This includes businesses with four or fewer employees, including those in the following industries:

• Agriculture, fishing and forestry
• Not-for-profit clubs and associations
• Seasonal and intermittent employers

Microbusinesses in each category may still be eligible for STP reporting concessions, such as quarterly or exceptional circumstances exemptions. Ask OBT about how you can apply for a concession.

The STP changes for this EOFY are one of the final hurdles in transitioning most Australian small businesses to a more streamlined reporting system. Although the initiative is still evolving, with the support of OBT as your trusted advisor, you’ll be able to tackle any new changes head-on.

Although EOFY is just around the corner, there’s still time to get prepared. With our help, together, we can make the transition to STP for you as smooth as possible. Call us in Gatton on 07 5462 2277.

Source: Xero