BAS Service Provider Issue 18

The BAS service provider

18

In this edition > Compliance program 2008–09 > Metal roofing industry benchmarks released > Processing of GST refunds – a change in name, not function > The superannuation Standard choice form has been revised > Common errors on business activity statements > BSP Portal > What to do if your client has a tax debt > New links and technical updates > Bookkeeping essentials > Key dates for you and your clients > Subscription information > We welcome your feedback Compliance program 2008–09 On Wednesday 13 August 2008, Tax Commissioner Michael D'Ascenzo released the Compliance program 2008–09. The Tax Office publishes a compliance program each year. This is our way of telling people about our priorities for the current year and what we are doing to address tax compliance risks of concern to us. More information Read the Compliance program 2008–09. Read our media release and summary of key priorities and activities. ^ top Metal roofing industry benchmarks released The Tax Office continues to work with various trade associations to develop benchmarks in certain industries. The benchmarks give tradespeople a better idea of the range of income they can expect when working directly with customers, taking into account their own particular circumstances. We recently released benchmarks for the metal roofing industry in collaboration with the Metal Roofing & Cladding Association of Australia. This adds to those already available for the floor sanding and polishing, roof tiling and painting trades. Benchmarks for the taxi and concreting industries will be available in September. For more information, you can refer to ATO Industry Benchmarks. ^ top Processing of GST refunds – a change in name, not function Our goods and services tax (GST) Compliance Verification Centre (CVC) has changed its name and is now known as Pre-Issue Refund Integrity (PIRI). If you claim a GST refund, staff from PIRI may contact you to verify information provided on activity statements before the refund issues. You may be asked to supply supporting information verbally, electronically or on paper. If appropriate, PIRI can withhold a GST refund pending the outcome of its audit activity. The work of PIRI (previously CVC) helps to ensure the integrity of GST refunds and improves voluntary compliance in the business community. ^ top The superannuation Standard choice form has been revised A revised version of Choosing a super fund – How to complete your Standard choice form (NAT 13080) is now available. To order a copy of this form visit our online ordering system or phone us on 1300 720 092 and quote Standard choice form. ^ top Common errors on business activity statements We have identified a range of errors commonly made on business activity statements. This month, we focus on errors that may be caused by incomplete record keeping and invoicing practices. Inadequate business records often lead to errors in claiming input tax credits (GST credits) and failure to record sales. Your clients should keep accurate, up-to-date records. Information on good record keeping can be found in Record keeping for small business. Correctly completed business activity statements will ensure processing without delay. ^ top BSP Portal Your feedback suggests that the portal is a valuable business tool and helps you to deal with us directly. For example: 'Now that the BSP View of the Tax Agent Portal has been created, my business has become much more efficient and streamlined and I would like to thank you for recognizing the important part that BAS Service Providers play in today's tax system.' Apply for access For the application form, including eligibility requirements and more information about portal functionality, visit BAS service provider view of the Portal. When you apply for access you must provide evidence of your eligibility, in accordance with section 251L (6) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936. To access the portal you need to apply for an ATO digital certificate, if you don't already have one. Also, as an approved user of the BSP Portal, you will have access to a new BSP helpline which provides a tailored menu for BAS service providers. The BSP helpline features quick access to portal help and general BAS information. The BSP helpline number is 1300 650 129. ^ top What to do if your client has a tax debt For advice about your client's debt or to arrange payment by instalments phone 13 11 42 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. We will work with you or your client to help them clear their debt and move on. It's important that your client continues to lodge on time even if they are unable to pay. ^ top New links and technical updates Tax seminars for September – Northern Territory Outlines the tax seminars scheduled for September 2008 for the Northern Territory. Describes seminars for new businesses and existing businesses, as well as covering personal and business investment issues. Drysdale v Commissioner of Taxation Outlines the Tax Office's response to this case which concerned whether the Applicant was carrying on an enterprise for the purposes of section 9-20 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (GST Act). Australian Taxation Office submission to US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs The Australian Taxation Office's submission to the US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for a hearing into tax haven banks and US tax compliance, conducted by their Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations on 17 July 2008. ^ top Bookkeeping Essentials Bookkeeping essentials, available at www.ato.gov.au/bookkeepers, brings together many focus areas identified in our consultations with you and contains information helpful to you, your clients, and your business. Save Bookkeeping essentials to your 'Favorites' in your web browser and have the information you need at your fingertips every day. Rates, calculators & tools Contains various rates, calculators and tools for businesses. Rates – includes PAYG withholding tax tables Calculators – includes the online version of the tax withheld calculator Tools – includes the employee/contractor decision tool Goods and services tax – how to complete your activity statement Provides instructions on completing activity statements. For more details on completing activity statements visit www.ato.gov.au/ActivityStatements Making an adjustment on your activity statement Provides instructions on making an adjustment of net GST liability for a reporting period. Read this guide in conjunction with Goods and services tax – how to complete your activity statement. Add a new business account We offer a number of options if you need to register for GST, fuel tax credits, luxury car tax, wine equalisation tax or pay as you go withholding. Portal maintenance schedule Provides details of scheduled maintenance closures for the Tax Agent Portal, including the BSP view of the portal. Digital certificates Provides links to all the information you need about digital certificates. Tax information in languages other than English We provide a range of information and services in other languages to help you and your clients. Foreign exchange rates List of daily, monthly and annual foreign exchange rates, including monthly and daily rates for July 2008. Legal Database updates Updates to the Legal Database for this month. The Legal Database is a collection of legal and policy information providing access to much of the material we use when making decisions. ^ top Key dates for you and your clients Note Different lodgment dates may apply if your client uses a tax agent, or if you lodge online. If you lodge online your clients must sign a declaration for each BAS electronically lodged by you. For more information see ECI – frequently asked questions and scroll down to 'What records do I have to keep to show that I have authority to lodge a client's activity statement?'. This list is not comprehensive, it is a guide only. Events or timelines may change. Where a due date falls on a day that is not a business day (that is, a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday), lodgment or payment may be made on the first business day after the due date (indicated by * in the table). 21 Sep 08* August 2008 monthly activity statements: final date for lodgment and payment. 21 Oct 08 September 2008 monthly activity statements: final date for lodgment and payment. 21 Oct 08 Quarter 1 (1 July – 30 September 2008) activity statements containing a monthly GST obligation: final date for lodgment and payment. 28 Oct 08 Quarter 1 (1 July – 30 September 2008) activity statements: final date for lodgment and payment. 28 Oct 08 Final date for electing to pay GST by instalments (ie Option 3) for June balancers if another reporting option was previously used. 28 Oct 08 Final date for quarterly GST reporters to elect to report GST annually. 11 Nov 08 Quater 1 (July – September 2008) activity statements: final date for electronic lodgment and payment. Refer to Lodge your activity statements online for information on your eligibility for this later due date. 11 Nov 08 October 2008 monthly activity statements: final date for lodgment and payment. ^ top Other important dates For a full list of business lodgment dates, see Key lodgment dates for businesses. If your clients use a tax agent it may be helpful to see Keydates for tax agents. ^ top

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