Eligibility for GST instalments

If you have eligible GST clients who want to use the GST instalments concession, they will need to select this option on their first quarter activity statements (due in October).

The GST instalments concession allows eligible clients to pay their GST in two or four instalments, depending on their business type.

Clients should be aware that if they choose this concession:

• net refunds are made after they lodge an annual GST return, not each quarter

• the GST instalment amount worked out by the Tax Office takes into account GST credits, and

• if they vary a GST instalment amount and it is too low, they may incur a penalty.

Once clients have chosen the instalments option, they cannot use a different option until the start of the next financial year.

For more information on GST instalments, refer to GST instalments (NAT 4238) and www.ato.gov.au/SBconcessions

Quarter 1 super payments due 28 October

Employers' superannuation contributions for the quarter ending 30 September 2008 must be made to their employee's chosen superannuation fund or retirement savings account by Tuesday 28 October 2008.

Employers who are liable to pay the superannuation guarantee charge and lodge a Superannuation guarantee charge statement - quarterly can use the new Superannuation guarantee charge statement and calculator tool to calculate their charge liability and prepare the statement for lodging with us.

Change of creditable purpose adjustments: new residential premises

Your client may need to make an increasing GST adjustment on a past June activity statement for any new residential premises developed for sale but subsequently rented. This is because the business use or the 'creditable purpose' of the property has changed.

An adjustment is required even if your client intends to sell the premises later.

We have recently released ATO ID 2008/114 that explains how changes in creditable purpose adjustments apply when a new residence is also actively marketed for sale whilst being rented. Depending on your client's circumstances this may impact on:

• the amount of any creditable purpose adjustment, and

• refund entitlements for previous adjustments.

 For more information, refer to:

• Making an adjustment on your activity statement (NAT 11035), and

• Issue 4 of the Property and Construction Industry Partnership Issues Register.

Looking for the GST rulings update?

We no longer issue printed copies of the GST rulings update (NAT 70990) with the quarterly BAS but you can still access the latest GST rulings update by:

• visiting GST rulings update on our GST essentials web page, or

• ordering a paper copy online or by phoning 1300 720 092.

• You can also subscribe to our legal database to receive email updates on the latest rulings and determinations.

Benchmarks for the concreting and taxi industries

Benchmarks developed in consultation with the concreting and taxi industries are now available on our website.

The benchmarks give people working in these industries a better idea of the range of income they can expect taking into account their individual circumstances.

They also enable businesses to:

• check that their tax records accurately reflect their business practices, and

• compare their business performance against the industry average.

 For more information, visit ATO Industry Benchmarks.

Incorrect reporting at G1 on business activity statements

You should report all payments and other consideration, received during the quarter, for sales your client has made in the course of their business.

This includes amounts shown at G2 (export sales), G3 (GST-free) and input taxed supplies, such as interest on investments and rent on residential properties (shown at G4 if you are using the calculation sheet method).

For more information on what to include at G1 you can refer to Completing your activity statement.

Lodgment concessions for BSP Portal and ECI users

There is currently a lodgment concession available to certain activity statements lodged electronically.

You are reminded that there are certain terms and conditions that apply before your client may qualify for a two-week deferral of the activity statement due date. The same conditions apply for ECI, BSP Portal and Business Portal users.

BSP helpline - helpful new options

In response to your feedback we have improved the menu options for the BAS service provider (BSP) helpline 1300 650 129. Priority service is available to you only if you are an approved user of the BAS service provider view of the portal.

These are the new menu options, with examples of issues now addressed.

1. 'For help completing your application to access the BAS service provider view of the portal.'
   Example
   'Am I eligible to apply for this service?'
   
   

2. 'For help with installing your digital certificate or accessing the BSP view of the portal.'
   Example
   'Can the digital certificate I use for electronic commerce interface (ECI) also be used to access the BAS service provider view of the portal?'
   
   

3. 'For help with using the BSP view of the portal functionality.'
   Examples
   'How do I access the downloadable payment slips option?'
   'How do I add a client?'
   
   

4. 'For enquiries about client accounts or other general enquiries.'
   Example
   'Can you provide me with my client’s account details?'

These changes will help with your query by improving your access to our skilled staff.

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.

Upcoming international agreements on super

Australia has entered into bilateral social security agreements with Korea, Greece and Germany that are scheduled to commence on 1 October 2008.

Under these new agreements, an Australian employer is exempt from having to make compulsory social security contributions for an employee sent to work in those countries, provided the employee continues to receive compulsory super in Australia in accordance with superannuation guarantee laws.

More detailed information on these new agreements and our existing agreements with Belgium, Chile, Croatia, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the United States is available in Bilateral agreements.

Bookkeeping Essentials

Our Bookkeeping essentials web page, available at www.ato.gov.au/bookkeepers, covers topics identified in our consultations with you and contains information that will be helpful to you, your clients, and your business. You can save the Bookkeeping essentials web page to 'Favorites' in your web browser for easy access to this information.

To keep up to date with all new information on our website, simply go to www.ato.gov.au and click on 'What's New' in the banner at the top of the page.

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 via electronic commerce interface (ECI) or the BSP view of the Portal, 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?'.

• The key lodgment dates are not comprehensive, they are 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 without incurring a failure to lodge on time (FTL) penalty or General Interest Charge (GIC). (A public holiday is a day that is a public holiday for the whole of any state or territory in Australia.)

For business lodgment dates for October you can refer to Key lodgment dates for businesses.

If your clients use a tax agent it may be helpful to refer to Keydates for tax agents - October.