VES Insights, your go-to newsletter for the latest in bookkeeping, automation, AI, Xero tips, and essential ATO updates to keep you informed and on track. From simplifying your bookkeeping to harnessing the power of automation and AI, our newsletter is packed with valuable tools and reminders to help you stay ahead. Is Your Payroll Using a Super Fund That No Longer Exists? It might sound unlikely, but it is more common than you think. Recent award updates replaced outdated fu

There was a time when unpaid or late superannuation could sit quietly for months before anyone noticed. A quarterly due date would pass, a gap would appear, and if it got sorted before someone asked questions, it rarely became a serious issue. That window has effectively closed. The ATO's data matching program means super payment gaps are no longer something that gets discovered through audits or complaints. They're identified automatically, by cross-referencing data that's a

Single Touch Payroll has been part of the payroll landscape for a few years now. Most Australian businesses have it set up. Most are reporting. And most haven't heard a word from the ATO about it. That silence isn't the same as being compliant. The ATO has released updated guidance on STP compliance penalties, and it's a clear sign that "we've been getting away with it" is not a compliance strategy.   Why the ATO Is Paying Closer Attention to STP Reporting STP was never just

It sounds like an unusual question, but for some businesses the answer could be yes. The Fair Work Commission has updated 125 modern awards after finding that several default super funds listed in those awards had merged, closed, or rebranded. If your payroll setup hasn't kept pace, you could be referencing a fund name that is no longer active. What the Change Involves   Old fund names were removed Some default funds listed in awards no longer exist in their original form due

VES Insights, your go-to newsletter for the latest in bookkeeping, automation, AI, Xero tips, and essential ATO updates to keep you informed and on track. From simplifying your bookkeeping to harnessing the power of automation and AI, our newsletter is packed with valuable tools and reminders to help you stay ahead. Instant Asset Write-Off Made Simple: A Practical Checklist Planning to invest in equipment, tools or technology this year? The instant asset write-off has been ex

The instant asset write-off has been extended for the 2025–26 financial year, which is great news for small businesses planning to invest in equipment, tools or technology. If used correctly, it allows you to claim an immediate deduction rather than depreciating the asset over several years. But timing and eligibility matter. We’ve seen businesses miss out simply because one requirement wasn’t met. Before you make your next purchase, work through this simple checklist.   Is Y

Hiring contractors can give your business flexibility. Lower overheads. Project-based support. Access to specialised skills. But here’s the important question. Are you confident every person you’ve engaged as a contractor is genuinely a contractor under ATO rules? Because this is not just about wording in a contract. It affects tax, superannuation, payroll reporting and potentially payroll tax. Let’s simplify what the ATO looks at.   Two Different Obligations The ATO clearly

By now, most business owners have heard about Payday Super. From 1 July 2026, superannuation must be paid at the same time as wages. Not quarterly. Not later. Every pay run. On paper, that sounds simple. In reality, it changes how your payroll, systems and cash flow work together. So, the real question is not just “Do we understand the rule?” It is “Are our systems strong enough to handle it?” Why This Change Matters More Than You Think Under the current system, super is ge

VES Insights, your go-to newsletter for the latest in bookkeeping, automation, AI, Xero tips, and essential ATO updates to keep you informed and on track. From simplifying your bookkeeping to harnessing the power of automation and AI, our newsletter is packed with valuable tools and reminders to help you stay ahead. The Real Cost of Paying Superannuation Late Think paying super a few days late is no big deal? Many employers are surprised to learn that even a short delay can t

Superannuation rules in Australia are changing, and from 1 July 2026 employers will need to pay super at the same time they pay wages. This shift, known as Payday Super, affects every business regardless of size, and it’s especially relevant for small business owners looking to stay compliant and maintain healthy cash flow.   What Is Payday Super? Payday Super means employers must send superannuation contributions to an employee’s super fund within seven days of each payday r