SUPER GUARANTEE AMNESTY NOT YET LAW: ATO WILL APPLY EXISTING LAW

The ATO reminds businesses to be aware that under the current law, if they have missed a superannuation payment or haven’t paid employees’ super on time, they are required to lodge a superannuation guarantee (SG) charge statement.

Until law giving effect to the proposed superannuation guarantee amnesty is enacted, the ATO says it will continue to apply the existing law, including applying the mandatory administration component ($20 per employee per period) to SG charge statements lodged by employers. The Bill containing the amnesty – the Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Superannuation Measures No 1) Bill 2018 – was introduced into Parliament on 24 May 2018, but had not been enacted when Parliament most recently concluded on 22 February 2019. It had been passed by the House of Representatives without amendment but was still before the Senate.

If it is eventually passed into law, the proposed amnesty will be a one-off opportunity for employers to self-correct their past SG non-compliance without penalty. It is intended to be available for 12 months from 24 May 2018 to 23 May 2019. The ATO will apply the new law (if it is passed) retrospectively to voluntary disclosures made during this period. Businesses will be entitled to the benefits of the amnesty for any SG shortfalls they have voluntarily disclosed to the ATO, subject to the eligibility criteria.

To be eligible for the proposed amnesty, an employer will need to:

•       have voluntarily disclosed amounts of SG shortfall or late payments that have not been previously disclosed for any period from 1 July 1992 up to 31 March 2018;

•       have made the voluntary disclosure within the proposed 12-month amnesty period (between 24 May 2018 and 23 May 2019); and

•       not be subject to an audit of its SG for the relevant periods.

If you would like to know more please contact one of our accountants on 07 4639 1099 or come in and see us at 14 Russell Street Toowoomba.