Recently, the ATO has enforced the use of Single Touch Payroll (STP) and Superstream as their electronical tools to collect both tax and superannuation data from businesses and superannuation funds.
This will put the ATO in a very strong position to start data matching potentially leading to audit activity ahead. Now is the opportune time for businesses to ensure they are compliant.
Single Touch Payroll and the reportable data
If you run a business and you haven't started reporting through STP, you should as soon as possible because penalties may apply. STP works by sending an employee’s tax and super information to the ATO using an STP-enabled payroll or accounting software. The information includes salaries and wages, pay as you go (PAYG) withholding and superannuation liability information. ATO systems will then match the STP information to both the employer and employee records.
Superstream as a data matching tool
Similarly, when businesses pay employee’s superannuation guarantee contributions to their super funds, this data is sent electronically in a standard format to the ATO through Superstream gateway. SuperStream transmits money and information consistently across the super system between employers, funds, service providers and the ATO. It allows more timely and reliable flow of payments and information about contributions, rollovers, and certain release authorities. Superstream also provides an electronic record to support accounting and tax obligations with fewer data and payment errors.
As superannuation guarantee contribution data is made available to the ATO from both businesses and superannuation funds, the ATO can cross check and data match this information much easier than before. This potentially leads to a higher chance of conducting more audit activities and issuing penalties when businesses are not complying with their superannuation guarantee obligations. Hence, it is important to ensure your business is compliant and pays their superannuation obligation on time.
Additionally, as the data is also shared with various government agencies, including Centrelink, Services Australia & the Child Support Registrar, incorrect reporting may have a huge impact on your employees’ lives.
How we help
Our team of experts offer businesses a superannuation obligation health check in relation to whether you are paying employees superannuation contributions by the due date. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for a STP and superannuation health check for your business today to ensure that you’re compliant and avoid unnecessary ATO penalties.
