MCDONNELL HUME PARTNERS DECEMBER 2020 NEWSLETTER

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December 2020

Ho, Ho , Ho, Merry Christmas! 


The year is quickly drawing to a close and as we reflect on the year that was, we can all agree that it has been a year like no other!



The team at McDonnell Hume Partners would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.


We wish to advise that our office will be closed from Thursday 24 December 2020 and will re-open on Monday 4 January 2021.


We would like to take this opportunity to thank our clients for a wonderful year and we look forward to continuing to work with you all in 2021.

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In House Tidbits

The administration of JobKeeper has kept us on our toes and as it winds up in March next year, we anticipate that the office will be a sea of tax return processing! 


If you haven't already, please forward your 2020 financial year tax work for processing. You can drop this to our office or email it through to us at accountants@mhpartners.com.au. Appointments are also welcome. Please call the office to schedule your preferred time.


We are almost half way through the tax year. If you are planning on any new ventures in the new year, be sure to contact us to help you through any of your personal or business changes.


In the Christmas rush don't forget to attend to the following (where applicable);


Monthly Activity Statement due date for lodging and payment        21 December 2020


QBCC Annual Reporting Due        31 December 2020


Coal Mining LSL Audit Due        31 December 2020


JobKeeper Declaration for December due by         14 January 2020


October-December Superannuation Contributions Due by           28 January 2021

Tax Time 2020/2021

Should you have any questions or queries relating to any of the following information please give us a call to assist you understand your obligations and any changes.

JobKeeper 2.0

The JobKeeper extension has been rolled out which sees it extended until 28 March 2021. There are two separate extension periods. Extension one is from 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2020 and the second, from 4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021.


For each of these extension periods, an additional actual decline in turnover test applies and the rate of JobKeeper payment is different.



Important points relating to the extension of the JobKeeper Payment are outlined in the ATO fact sheet below.

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JobMaker

Registrations for the JobMaker Hiring Credit scheme have now opened. 


This is administered by the ATO and will run for 12 months from 7 October 2020 to 6 October 2021.


Eligible employers are able to access up to $200 per week for each eligible additional employee aged 16 to 29 years and up to $100 per week for each eligible additional employee aged 30 to 35 years.


To be eligible, the employee will need to have worked for a minimum of 20 hours per week averaged over a quarter, and received the JobSeeker payment, Youth Allowance or Parenting Payment for a least one month of the three months prior to when they are hired.


Links below provide further information on eligibility and registration


Key points:


Eligible employers:




  • can claim payments for eligible additional employees for up to 12 months from their employment start date.


  • cannot claim JobKeeper and the JobMaker Hiring Credit at the same time.


Australian Taxation Office. (2020). JobMaker Hiring Credit. Available: https://www.ato.gov.au/General/JobMaker-Hiring-Credit/. Last accessed 9/12/2020.

HomeBuilder Extension

The HomeBuilder grant for eligible owner occupiers building a new home or substantially renovating an existing home will be extended to 31 March 2021.


The following changes were announced;


  • Eligible owner occupiers will receive a $15,000 grant for new build contracts signed between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2021
  • For new build contracts signed from 1 January 2021, the property price cap will be increased to $950,000 for NSW and $850,000 for Victoria
  • The construction commencement deadline will be extended from 3 Months to 6 months for all eligible contracts signed on or after 4 June 2020



The existing program criteria continues to apply, including the new build property price cap of $750,000 for all other states and territories. The $25,000 grant will continue to be available for eligible contracts signed on or before 31 December 2020.

Wolters Kluwer. (2020). Home Builder Grant Extended. Available: https://iknow.cch.com.au/document/xatagnewsUio3311406sl1206777457/homebuilder-grant-extended. Last accessed 9/12/2020.

HomeBuilder program criteria Contracts signed between 4 June and 31 December 2020 (inclusive) Contracts signed between 1 January and 31 March 2021 (inclusive)
Grant amount (new builds and substantial renovations) $25,000 $15,000
Construction commencement timeframe Construction must commence within six months of the contract being signed. Construction must commence within six months of the contract being signed.
New build price cap Property value cannot exceed $750,000 Property value cannot exceed: $950,000 in NSW; $850,000 in Victoria; or $750,000 in all other States and Territories.
Substantial renovation price cap The value of the property cannot exceed $1.5 million (pre renovation). The value of the property cannot exceed $1.5 million (pre renovation).
Application deadline Applications must be submitted to the relevant State Revenue Office by 14 April 2021. Applications must be submitted to the relevant State Revenue Office by 14 April 2021.
Licensing requirements for builders/developers Where an eligible contract is signed on or after the 29 November 2020, the builder or developer must have a valid licence or registration before 29 November 2020. Where an eligible contract is signed on or after the 29 November 2020, the builder or developer must have a valid licence or registration before 29 November 2020.
Where an eligible contract is signed before 29 November 2020, the builder or developer must have a valid licence or registration before 4 June 2020. Where an eligible contract is signed before 29 November 2020, the builder or developer must have a valid licence or registration before 4 June 2020.
Other eligibility criteria Existing program eligibility criteria remains. Existing program eligibility criteria remains.

Australian Government-Treasury. (2020). HomeBuilder. Available: https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/homebuilder. Last accessed 9/12/2020.

Quick Bits

Holiday home owners: Renting out your property to family or friends at 'mates rates' over the holiday?


Remember: If they're only paying a percentage of what you'd normally charge for rent, you'll need to apportion your deductions; usually equal to the amount of of rent received.


Find all the details to help get your claims right at www.ato.gov.au/General/Property/Holiday-homes/

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Be your own super(annuation) hero and make the most of what you save! You can use our online services to:


  • search and rescue any lost or unclaimed super you have


  •  combine your powers - consider consolidating your super into one account


  •  get briefed on your super fund account balance, contributions made by your employer and other essential info.


To find out how our online services can help you keep track of your super, visit ato.gov.au/superonline

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Applications for COVID-19 early release of super close on 31 December 2020. 


If you've been financially affected by COVID-19 and need early access to your super by Christmas, apply online before 11 December.


Check if you're eligible at http://www.ato.gov.au/.../COVID-19-early-release-of-super/

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Sick of running laps of the house trying to find your receipts every tax time? 


Or maybe you're struggling to read the numbers on the bottom of your faded receipts?


If your shoebox filing system just isn't cutting it anymore, our myDeductions tool is for you! Simply snap a pic of your receipts, and they'll be at your fingertips the next time you need them. Download the app and get started now at http://www.ato.gov.au/.../Online.../ATO-app/myDeductions/

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Employers: Have you updated your payroll software or processes to reflect the updated tax tables?


Remember you must be withholding the correct amount from payments you make to employees by 16 Nov 2020. Check out the updated tax tables at www.ato.gov.au/Rates/Tax-tables/

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Australian Taxation Office. (2020). Facebook Updates. Available: https://www.facebook.com/atogovau. Last accessed 9/12/2020. 

Out Of Interest

Planning on Splurging at the Boxing Day Sales?

 

Before you think about buy now pay later services make sure you understand how they work and what fees you'll pay.

Buy now pay later payment services allow you to delay payment or pay by instalments (often fortnightly) over a period of time. Here Money Smart explains how these payment services work, what fees you'll pay and how to avoid getting into financial trouble if you're using these services



https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/borrowing-and-credit/other-types-of-credit/buy-now-pay-later-services?fbclid=IwAR16-lhh0CgYeOsrhuy3jjsOf8MZddOB5PVEa51Uoi3LIb6gsREBmwdjk5o

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Australian Securities and Investments Commission. (2019). Buy Now Pay Later Services. Available: https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/borrowing-and-credit/other-types-of-credit/buy-now-pay-later-services?fbclid=IwAR16-lhh0CgYeOsrhuy3jjsOf8MZddOB5PVEa51Uoi3LIb6gsREBmwdjk5o. Last accessed 10/12/19.

Please contact us for any clarification on any tax matters or issues pertaining to your individual circumstances. 


Be sure to check out the links below and keep up to date with the due dates for your tax obligations.


See you in March 2021


Kind Regards


The Team
McDonnell Hume Partners 
www.mhpartners.com.au


Key Dates


You can keep up to date with important accounting and business dates and deadlines. More...


Tax Facts


The Tax Facts section where you can learn more about tax requirements within New Zealand. More...


Calculators


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