M.Ervin Bookkeeping

05/06/2020

While you’re on JobKeeper, the usual obligation to do your job applies. So unless you’re stood down, on leave or you’re authorised to be absent, you should go to work for your ordinary work hours (or the reduced hours your employer has directed you to go to work under a JobKeeper direction).

If you're on JobKeeper and can't go to work because you're sick, you still need to take any accrued sick leave you have. You also still need to notify your employer and provide evidence if asked.

You can find more info here:
https://coronavirus.fairwork.gov.au/coronavirus-and-australian-workplace-laws/pay-and-leave-during-coronavirus/jobkeeper-wage-subsidy-scheme/leave-the-jobkeeper-scheme

09/05/2020

If you’ve done any of the following to be eligible for JobKeeper, the ATO will catch you to you.

The ATO have issued practical guidance around compliance activity on schemes to generate JobKeeper Payments - https://www.icb.org.au/news/home/jk-payment-schemes/a/8474

14/04/2020

We know many businesses have been impacted by COVID-19, and we’re here to help.

The new JobKeeper payment is now available for eligible employers to help them pay their employees.

If you’re an employer looking to apply for the JobKeeper payment, there’s no need to call us - check out the steps you need to take to get ready to receive the JobKeeper payment for your employees at www.ato.gov.au/general/gen/JobKeeper-payment/

08/04/2020

A few busy weeks ahead for accountants and bookkeepers with JobKeeper passing the senate! Please have patience with us! Everyone wants an answer now but we need time to work it all out.

07/04/2020

Working from home?

With so many Australians working from home to reduce the risk of coronavirus, we’re making it easier to claim your expenses this tax time.

From 1 March until 30 June 2020, we’re allowing you to claim 80c per hour for each hour you spend working from home. This will cover all your expenses, including your:
🔥❄ Heating and cooling
🔌 Electricity
📱 Mobile phone
🖥️ Internet
🧾 Depreciation of office equipment

You can still use other methods to calculate your claim if you prefer; however, whichever method you choose, you’ll need to make sure you have records to support your claim. Find out more about the change at www.ato.gov.au/General/COVID-19/Support-for-individuals-and-employees/Employees-working-from-home/

04/12/2019

Make sure your Accountants and Bookkeepers are registered!

Approached by someone offering unusually cheap tax services or promising refunds that are too good to be true?

🚨Beware of unregistered preparers! Remember, only a registered tax agent can charge a fee to prepare and lodge your tax return.

Today an unregistered preparer from Sydney received a criminal conviction for dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage. Charging a $100 fee, he used the personal myGov credentials of 1,098 individuals to lodge tax returns on their behalf, redirecting some of the refunds into his own bank account. Find out more at www.ato.gov.au/Media-centre/Media-releases/Thieving-fake-tax-agent-stopped-by-the-ATO/

26/11/2019

It’s not worth the risk. Call a HR specialist to ensure your paying your staff correctly.

Employers cannot pay apprentice rates without a registered apprenticeship agreement in place.

Following our court action, a Victorian plumber and his company has been fined $151,200 for deliberately underpaying a young worker. It’s the second time we’ve taken this company to court for similar conduct, bringing total penalties to over $270,000.

In this case, the court found that the 22-year-old was underpaid for about six weeks’ work after being paid as a third-year apprentice despite not being signed up to an apprenticeship.

Without a formal apprenticeship agreement, the employee was entitled to be paid under the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2010, but was underpaid minimum rates for ordinary hours, overtime pay, various allowances and leave entitlements, and termination payments.

The company also provided Fair Work Inspectors with a falsified employer apprenticeship document and falsified time-and-wages records that purported to show the employee was paid higher rates than he actually was. The Judge said the respondents’ conduct was ‘deliberate and exploitative’.

We have no tolerance for employers who provide false records to inspectors or repeatedly breach workplace laws, particularly when it involves the entitlements of young workers, who can be vulnerable if in their first job and they are unaware of their rights at work.

Total underpayments were $4,035, relating to a period between July and September 2017. The company also failed to pay $570 in superannuation. Both amounts have been rectified.

Read the full story: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media-releases/2019-media-releases/november-2019/20191119-pulis-plumbing-penalty

10/11/2019

New Customers and their first invoice- What to expect.

Invoicing a new customer for the first time is an unnerving experience- with no trading history, you have no idea what sort of payer they are going to be. Will they pay late? On time? Very late? Or heaven forbid- never. The best thing to do with brand new customers is keep them on a very tight leash- there is nothing wrong with being super vigilant, especially not at this early stage of the relationship. They will follow your lead, and how thorough and diligent you are will determine how quickly you get paid. Here is a little graphic to help you out. Feel free to share:

06/10/2019

25/09/2019

03/07/2019

Claiming Deductions this year? Have a look at this before you do 🙂

The Australian Taxation Office has released a series of occupation and industry specific guides to help you to correctly report your income and allowances, and claim deductions for the work-related expenses you are entitled to -

https://www.icb.org.au/news/home/ato-occupation-tax-guides-2019/a/7970