Institute of Certified Bookkeepers

ICB Bookkeepers Reference Guide

Tel – 1300 85 61 81
www.icb.org.au

Support Emails
Member Services ICB Administration admin@icb.org.au
Member Support Support support@icb.org.au

Bookkeepers helping Bookkeepers helping Businesses

Contact InformationPhoneWeb
Insurance
Insurance Made Easy 1800 64 12 60 icb.org.au/Approved-Products/Insurance
Tax Office
General Enquiries 13 28 66 ato.gov.au
ABR 13 92 26 abr.gov.au
Calculators   ato.gov.au/Calculators
Superannuation 13 10 20 ato.gov.au/Super
BAS Agents 13 72 86 ato.gov.au/Tax-professionals
Non-Profit 1300 13 02 48 ato.gov.au/Non-profit
Report a Scam 1800 00 85 40 ato.gov.au/Scams
Education
Where to study bookkeeping   icb.org.au/Professional-Development
ICB Upcoming Webinars   icb.org.au/CPE
ICB Recorded Webinar Library   icb.org.au/Members/Webinars
ICB Network Meetings   icb.org.au/Networking
ICB News & Newsletters   icb.org.au/News
Payroll and Employer Requirements
Employer Obligations   business.gov.au
Dept of Employment   employment.gov.au
Fair Work Ombudsman 13 13 94 fairwork.gov.au
ICB HR Intermediary   icb.org.au/HR-Intermediary
Employment Innovations 1300 14 41 20 employmentinnovations.com
BAS Agent Information
For all things ‘BAS Agent’   icb.org.au/BAS-and-BAS-Agents
Tax Practitioners Board 1300 36 28 29 tpb.gov.au
Software Support and Guidance
MYOB Support 1300 55 51 23 myob.com/au/support
Intuit Support   quickbooks.intuit.com/au/support
Xero Support   xero.com/support
Reckon Support 1800 73 25 66 reckon.com/au/support
Other Useful Numbers
ACNC (Charities) 13 22 62 www.acnc.gov.au
ABN Lookup   abr.business.gov.au

JobKeeper: The temporary impacts of JobKeeper are not included.
Budget 2020/2021: The Federal and State Budgets have been deferred until later in 2020.

Compliance Bookkeeper Deadlines

DatesRelevanceActivity
21st Every Month
  • Monthly BAS, PAYG, IAS payments
15 January Lrg/Med Taxpayers
  • Key date for lodgement of Income tax returns for non-individuals if return not required earlier i.e. 1 December
28 January Qtr 2 (Oct to Dec)
  • Superannuation guarantee to be paid to super funds and provide advice to employees
28 February Qrt 2 (Oct to Dec)
  • BAS – lodge and pay
28 February Annual GST Return
  • Key date for lodgement & payment in some circumstances
28 February Companies & Superfunds
  • Lodgement and payment if not required earlier
31 March Year 1 April to 31 March
  • Provide car odometer readings for FBT calculations
28 April Qtr 3 (Jan to Mar)
  • BAS – lodge and pay
  • Superannuation guarantee to be paid to superfunds and provide advice to employees
21 May FBT yr end 31 Mar
  • Lodgement and payment of FBT return
Pre 30 June Qtr 4 (Apr to Jun)
  • Pay Superannuation guarantee before 30 June in order to obtain tax deduction
14 July Financial Year
  • STP finalisation to ATO
28 July Qtr 4 (Apr to Jun)
  • BAS – lodge and pay
  • Superannuation guarantee to be paid to superfunds and provide advice to employees
21 August GST Instalment Choice
  • Final date for monthly GST reporters to elect to lodge annually
28 August Financial Year
  • TPAR form
30 September Financial Year
  • Payment Summaries to be provided to ATO – if required
21 October PAYG Instalment
  • Annual PAYG Instalment vary rate, lodge and pay
28 October Qtr 1 (Jul to Sep)
  • BAS – lodge and pay
  • Superannuation guarantee to be paid to superfunds and provide advice to employees
28 October GST Instalment Choice
  • Final date for quarterly GST reporters to elect to lodge annually
31 October Financial Year
  • Income tax returns due (if no tax agent)
1 December Financial Year
  • Key date for payment of income tax for previous year.
    Check with tax agent.

Marginal Tax Rates 2019–2020 (+Medicare)

Taxable IncomeTax Payable
$0 – $18,200 Nil
$18,201 – $37,000 Nil + 19% of excess over $18,200
$37,001 – $90,000 $3,572 + 32.5% of excess over $37,000
$90,001 – $180,000 $20,797 + 37% of excess over $90,000
$180,001+ $54,097 + 45% of excess over $180,000

Public Holidays 2020–2021

DateHolidayState
2020
3rd August Bank Holiday NSW
Picnic Day NT
25th September AFL Grand Final Day VIC
28th September Queen’s Birthday WA
5th October Labour Day ACT, NSW, SA
Queen’s Birthday QLD
3rd November Melbourne Cup VIC
Christmas Eve
(Part day)		 24th December NT, SA
Christmas Day 25th December National
26th December Boxing Day NSW, QLD, VIC, WA
Proclamation Day SA
28th December Boxing Day Holiday National except SA
31st December New Year’s Eve (Part day) NT, SA
2021
1st January New Year’s Day National
26th January Australia Day National
1st March Labour Day WA
8th March Canberra Day ACT
March Public Holiday SA
Eight Hours Day TAS
Labour Day VIC
2nd April Good Friday National
3rd April Easter Saturday All except TAS & WA
4th April Easter Sunday ACT, NSW, QLD, VIC
5th April Easter Monday National
6th April Easter Tuesday TAS
25th April ANZAC Day National except ACT & QLD
26th April ANZAC Day (Additional day) ACT, NT, QLD, SA, WA
3rd May May Day NT
Labour Day QLD
31st May Reconciliation Day ACT
7th June Western Australia Day WA
14th June Queen’s Birthday All except QLD & WA

School Holidays 2020–2021

StateTerm 3
2020		Term 4
2020		Term 1
2021		Term 2
2021		Term 3
2021		Term 4
2021
ACT 20 Jul
– 25 Sep		 12 Oct
– 18 Dec		 1 Feb
– 1 Apr		 19 Apr
– 25 Jun		 12 Jul
– 17 Sep		 5 Oct
– 17 Dec
NSW 20 Jul
– 25 Sep		 12 Oct
– 18 Dec		 27 Jan
– 1 Apr		 29 Apr
– 5 Jul		 12 Jul
– 17 Sep		 5 Oct
– 17 Dec
NT 21 Jul
– 25 Sep		 12 Oct
– 18 Dec		 1 Feb
– 9 Apr		 23 Apr
– 28 Jun		 20 Jul
– 24 Sep		 11 Oct
– 16 Dec
QLD 13 Jul
– 18 Sep		 6 Oct
– 11 Dec		 27 Jan
– 1 Apr		 23 Apr
– 28 Jun		 12 Jul
– 17 Sep		 5 Oct
– 10 Dec
SA 20 Jul
– 25 Sep		 12 Oct
– 11 Dec		 27 Jan
– 9 Apr		 29 Apr
– 5 Jul		 19 Jul
– 24 Sep		 11 Oct
– 10 Dec
TAS 20 Jul
– 25 Sep		 12 Oct
– 17 Dec		 3 Feb
– 9 Apr		 30 Apr
– 6 Jul		 20 Jul
– 24 Sep		 11 Oct
– 16 Dec
VIC 13 Jul
– 18 Sep		 5 Oct
– 18 Dec		 27 Jan
– 1 Apr		 23 Apr
– 28 Jun		 12 Jul
– 17 Sep		 4 Oct
– 17 Dec
WA 20 Jul
– 25 Sep		 12 Oct
– 17 Dec		 1 Feb
– 1 Apr		 29 Apr
– 5 Jul		 19 Jul
– 24 Sep		 11 Oct
– 16 Dec

Workcover

StateWebsitePhone
ACT www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au 13 22 81
NSW www.workcover.nsw.gov.au 13 10 50
SA www.rtwsa.com 13 18 55
WA www.workcover.wa.gov.au 1300 79 47 44
QLD www.worksafe.qld.gov.au 1300 36 21 28
NT www.worksafe.nt.gov.au 1800 01 91 15
TAS www.workcover.tas.gov.au 1300 36 63 22 (notify only)
VIC www.worksafe.vic.gov.au 1800 13 60 89

Payroll Tax

StateWebsitePhone
ACT www.revenue.act.gov.au 02 6207 0028
NSW www.revenue.nsw.gov.au 02 7808 6904 | 1300 13 98 15
SA www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au 08 8226 3750 + option 5
WA www.finance.wa.gov.au 08 9262 1300
QLD osr.qld.gov.au 1300 30 07 34 + option 3
NT treasury.nt.gov.au/dtf/territory-revenue-office 1300 30 53 53
TAS www.sro.tas.gov.au 03 6166 4400 | 1800 001 388
VIC www.sro.vic.gov.au 13 21 61

Payroll Tax Thresholds 2020–2021

StateWage ThresholdsRate
AnnualMonthly
ACT $2,000,000 $166,667 6.85%
NSW $1,000,000 $83,333* 5.45%
SA $1,500,000 $125,000 0%–4.95%
WA $1,000,000 $83,333 5.50%
QLD $1,300,000 $108,333 4.75%
NT $1,500,000 $125,000 5.50%
TAS $1,250,000–$2m $106,164 4.00%
$2,000,000+ $169,863 6.10%
VIC $650,000 $54,166 4.85%

Payroll Tax: www.payrolltax.gov.au/harmonisation/payroll-tax-rates-and-thresholds

Most states have provided Payroll Tax Relief or deferral in response to COVID-19
* Specific rules apply to these items – check the state PTX websites

ATO Rates and Thresholds 2020–2021

Type AssetThresholdConditions
Capital Acquisitions
SME System


>$100 (Inc GST)
<$30,000 (Ex GST)
<$150,000 (Ex GST)

 <$300
12 March COVID-19 stimulus package
Superannuation $450 per month
($350 for Hospitality)		 9.50%
Car Limit
Fuel Efficient Car Limit
Luxury Tax		 $57,581
$75,526
$67,525		 $5,234 max GST
Wage Tax Free Annual Threshold $18,200  
Type SuperThresholdConditions
Superannuation Maximum Contribution Base
for Super Guarantee

Concessional contributions		 Per Quarter:
$57,090

$25,000 All ages
Motor Vehicles
(Non-Rotary Engine)		 Flat rate 72c per km

Typical Tax Code Usage

Tax CodeBASSimpler BASDescriptionTypical Uses
GST G1
G11		 G1/1A
1B only		 Goods and Services Tax
  • GST transactions where claimable by the business
ITS
INP		 G4 G1 only Input Taxed Sales
  • Interest Income
  • Residential rent received
EXP G2 G1 Export Sales
  • Sales to overseas customers

Tax Codes Info: icb.org.au/Resources/GST--BAS/Comparing-Tax-Codes-in-Software

Allowances

Allowance TypePAYGSuperSTP Field
Working Conditions, Qualifications or Special Duties
  • Site, danger, crib, shift
 Yes Yes Gross
  • Trade, first aid, safety and other
 Yes Yes Gross
  • Higher duty ie leading hand, acting foreman
 Yes Yes Gross
On Call Allowance
  • Worked normal hours
 Yes Yes Gross
  • Worked outside normal hours
 Yes No Gross
Travel, Meals, Car Allowance
  • Travel - part day - no overnight away from home
 Yes Yes Gross
  • Meals (not covered by Award)
 Yes Yes Gross
  • Car - home to work (cents per km can apply)
 Yes Yes Gross
Tools/Uniform
  • Trade tools
 Yes No Other
  • Phone/Internet
 Yes No Other
  • Compulsory uniform or dry cleaning
 Yes No Other
Travel - Motor Vehicle
  • Motor vehicle related travel
 Yes No Other
  • Travel cents per km ATO rate or up to 5,000km
 No No Car
  • Travel cents per km amount OVER ATO rate or OVER 5,000km
 Yes No Car
Award Transport
  • Deducted at year end
 Yes Yes Transport
  • Un-deductible at year end
 Yes Yes Gross
Laundry
  • Up to ATO threshold
 No No Laundry
  • Over ATO threshold
 Yes No Laundry
Award Overtime Meal Allowance
  • Up to ATO threshold
 No No No
  • Over ATO threshold
 Yes No Meals
Travel Overseas or Domestic (Overnight Stay)
  • Up to ATO threshold
 No No No
  • Over ATO threshold
 Yes No Travel
  • Overseas Accommodation
 Yes No Travel

BAS Agent Only Services

Only BAS Agents and Tax Agents can provide BAS services of:

  • Advice and lodgement of PAYG Withholding, BAS, TPAR and SGC Statement

Are you being relied on to give the client confidence that their BAS provision obligations are being met? Then YES you are providing a BAS Service.

If you ask questions of others for interpretation or explanation of the system then NO you aren’t being relied on and you aren’t providing a BAS Service. Unless you are a registered agent or an employee of the business you may not complete or lodge a client’s BAS.

National Fair Work Standards for Payroll

StandardHours/Days/WeeksConditions
Maximum Weekly Hours 38 hours + Additional hours if required, paid as per award or agreement
Parental Unpaid Leave Up to 12 months  
Annual Leave 4 weeks / 152 hours (38wk) Additional week for certain shift workers

Unused annual leave accrual will carry over to next payroll year
Personal Leave / Carers Leave 10 days

+2 days unpaid carers leave (if required)

  
Family and Domestic Violence Leave 5 Days Unpaid leave
Compassionate Leave 2 days paid each time family / household member dies. Separate to Personal Leave Unpaid for casuals
Long Service Leave As per State legislation and relevant award States provide for ability to pay out LSL pro-rata after certain amount of service; refer to State guidelines for detail
Community Service Leave Up to 10 days jury service. Unpaid leave for voluntary emergency service  
Notice of Termination Up to 4 weeks (5 weeks if over 45 and 2 years continuous service) Based on length of service
Redundancy Pay Up to 16 weeks Based on length of service
Provide Fair Work Information Statement to any New Employee www.fairwork.gov.au/employee-entitlements/national-employment-standards/fair-work-information-statement
Paid Parental Leave Up to 18 weeks Government funded DHS

$753.80 per week before tax
Fair Work Minimum Wage $19.84 per hour $753.80 per week

Starting Employment Kit

Reference icb.org.au/Resources/Payroll/New-Employee-Guide for complete checklist

Reference icb.org.au/Resources/Payroll for all things payroll

All Employees

For any queries relating to pay rates, conditions, allowances, terminations, entitlements and so on, you must refer to the Industrial Instrument, (i.e., Modern Award or EBA), Fair Work Ombudsman and State Body

ICB Resources

  • Updated: 22nd July 2020
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