Ward & Ilsley Partners

17/07/2026

Did you know you can opt out of the super guarantee (SG) as a high income earner by submitting the ATO’s approved SG employer shortfall exemption certificate form.

⭐ How high income earners opt out of SG (ATO process)
You must apply for an exemption certificate using the ATO’s approved form. This certificate releases one or more employers from their SG obligations for a defined period. The key steps are:
✅ 1. Check you meet the eligibility criteria
You must meet both conditions:
• You have more than one employer in the financial year
• You expect compulsory SG contributions to exceed your concessional contributions cap for that year
✅ 2. Complete the approved ATO form
You must use the approved form to apply for the exemption certificate .
Your application must:
• Be made by you, your tax agent, or a nominated representative (not your employer)
• Specify which employer you want exempted and the start date
• Specify at least one other employer who will continue paying SG for you
• Post to the ATO (address is on the form)
✅ 3. Apply within the required timeframe
The ATO must receive your application at least 30 days before the start of the exemption period.
For the 2026–27 year, applications must have been received by 30 May 2026 if you wanted the exemption to start on 1 July 2026 .
✅ 4. Understand what the ATO considers
The ATO will only issue a certificate if:
• You are likely to exceed the concessional cap
• You still have at least one employer paying SG
• Issuing the certificate is appropriate in all circumstances
✅ 5. Receive your outcome
If approved, the ATO sends:
• A written notice to each exempted employer
• A copy of the certificate to you
If declined, they notify you and outline reasons such as late lodgement or incomplete form.

⭐ Important notes
• Employers can choose to ignore the exemption certificate and continue paying SG, so talk to them first
• Certificates can be retrospective from 2026 onwards
• You must reapply each financial year
• You cannot nominate the same employer as both exempt and paying SG





https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/super-for-employers/payday-super/paying-super-on-payday/what-payments-are-qualifying-earnings/super-guarantee-opt-out-for-high-income-earners-with-multiple-employers

15/07/2026

Gifts & Donations

Summary of Key Change (from 1 July 2024, formally effective 1 July 2026)

• The $2 minimum donation rule has been removed for donations to Deductible Gift Recipients (DGRs).
• You can now claim any amount, even under $2, for eligible DGR donations.
• Political donations are excluded — they still require $2 or more.

1. When a Gift or Donation Is Deductible

• Must be made to an organisation with DGR status at the time of donation.
• Must be a true gift: voluntary, with no material benefit received.
• Can be money, property, shares, or certain cultural/heritage gifts.
• Must meet any specific gift conditions.
• You must have a record (receipt, bank statement, employer record).

2. Checking DGR Status

• Not all charities or crowdfunding campaigns are DGRs.
• Check via ABN Lookup → Deductible Gift Recipients.
• If the organisation is not entitled, you cannot claim.

3. Gifts You Can Claim

• Money — claim the amount donated.
• Property or shares — rules vary by type/value.
• Cultural/heritage gifts — special programs apply.
• Token items (stickers, wristbands) do not affect deductibility.
• Foreign currency donations must be converted to AUD.
• Multiple small donations to the same DGR can be added together.

4. Special Situations

• Bucket donations for disaster relief: claim up to $10 without a receipt.
• Point‑of‑sale donations (e.g., supermarket round‑ups): keep receipt + check DGR.
• Workplace giving: employer records or income statements are acceptable evidence.
• Pledges: you can only claim the amount actually donated.
ato.gov.au

5. Political Donations (Rules Unchanged)

• Must be $2+ and made as an individual.
• Annual maximum claims:• $1,500 to political parties
• $1,500 to independent candidates

• Property donations must have been purchased within 12 months.

6. Spreading Deductions Over Time

You may elect to spread deductions over up to 5 years for:

• Money
• Property valued over $5,000
• Cultural Gifts Program donations
• Heritage gifts

Election must be completed before lodging your tax return.

7. Gifts & Donations You Cannot Claim

• Organisation does not have DGR status.
• You receive a material benefit (raffle tickets, merchandise, fundraising dinners).
• Donations to family/friends.
• Donations via salary sacrifice.
• Donations made in a will.
• Payments to school building funds that provide a benefit (fee reduction, placement).

8. Record‑Keeping Requirements:

• Receipts or signed letters from the DGR.
• Evidence of any minor benefits received.
• Bank/retail receipts or employer records.

Receipts must include:

• DGR name
• ABN (if applicable)
• Statement that it’s a gift
• Your name (for community charities/ancillary funds)

Digital copies are acceptable via the ATO myDeductions app.

14/07/2026

Tax Time Checklists Individuals; Company; Trust; Partnership; and Super Funds

These checklists will help us ensure you don't miss any deductions. Simply print, complete and return

13/07/2026

New pay rates available for minimum wage increase ⬆️

From 1 July 2026 the National Minimum Wage and minimum award wages increased. The increase applied from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026.

What you can do now
To find the increased pay rates:

✅calculate the new rates using the Pay and Conditions Tool
✅check the updated pay guide at Pay guides.

Other workplace changes include:
✅changes to Children’s Services Award pay rates
✅changes to Pharmacy Award pay rates
✅new payday super rules
✅increase to government funded parental leave pay
✅increase to unpaid flexible parental leave
✅increase to income thresholds and the compensation cap.

The Fair Work Commission has announced an increase to the National Minimum Wage and minimum award wages. Learn more.

12/07/2026

10/07/2026

From 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027

Check the fuel tax credit rates for business from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

You need to use the rate that applies on the date you acquired the fuel.

Use the fuel tax credit calculator to easily work out the amount to report on your business activity statement (BAS).

Refer to the link for the table containing the fuel tax credit rates for businesses from 1 July 2026 to 2 August 2026.

Check the fuel tax credit rates for business from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

08/07/2026

Finalise your STP data by 14 July

Check and finalise your Single Touch Payroll (STP) data by 14 July so your employees' information is ready for tax time.

Check and finalise your Single Touch Payroll (STP) data by 14 July so your employees' information is ready for tax time.

07/07/2026

Social Security Payments and Their Effect on Discretionary Trusts

For businesses and families managing discretionary trusts, understanding how social security laws intersect with trust arrangements is critical. For businesses and families managing discretionary trusts, it is critical to understand how social security laws interact with trust arrangements.

For businesses and families managing discretionary trusts, understanding how social security laws intersect with trust arrangements is critical. For businesses and families managing discretionary trusts, it is critical to understand how social security laws interact with trust arrangements.

06/07/2026

Tax tips for your 2025/26 tax return 📑

You can claim a deduction for most expenses you incur running your business, as long as they are directly related to earning your assessable income. If you're not sure about what to claim, here are the 3 golden rules:

03/07/2026

The Australian Taxation Office tax time toolkit for small business includes information to help small businesses at tax time and all year round.

Information to help small businesses at tax time and all year round.