We're halfway through 2026 in what seems like the blink of an eye.
The commencement of the new financial year on 1 July marks a couple of key events, with Payday Super for employers starting and the Small Business Super Clearing House (SBSCH) closing permanently at the end of June. The window for the 2025–26 NFP self-review return for self-assessing NFPs also opens for lodgments.
In other news, the NFP self-review return is now part of the ATO's Statement of Tax Record (STR), which provides evidence of satisfactory engagement with the tax system, and we've released further guidance for ancillary funds on how we interpret the term 'benefit'.
Payday Super
We're now days away from the start of Payday Super on 1 July. From this date you must pay your employees’ super each payday, instead of quarterly. It must be received in your employees super account within 7 business days after payday.
We've included a recap of what you need to know to be ready in this edition of NFP news, as well as links to key resources on Payday Super. For those of you who find verbal explanations easier to follow, Deputy Commissioner Emma Rosenzweig has recorded a suite of videos to explain what you need to know and how to be ready. Find all her videos and more at Payday Super resources.
Finally, a reminder that the ATO’s Small Business Super Clearing House closes permanently after 11:59 PM AEST 30 June. Download your records now and move to another provider.
2025–26 NFP self-review return
NFPs self-assessing as income tax exempt with an active ABN need to lodge the annual self-review return. This return confirms your eligibility to self-assess. It's due between 1 July and 31 October, unless you have a substituted accounting period (SAP).
This year will be the third lodgment period for the NFP self-review return. We are now past the transitional period for the introduction of the NFP self-review return and we expect all NFPs who need to complete the return to lodge on time.
The return takes about 10 minutes to fill out. You can lodge online, by phone or with a tax agent. You can get a refresher on how to lodge in Lodge your 2025–26 NFP self-review return in this edition of NFP news.
Remember to ensure that your self-assessing NFP’s governing documents are in order before 1 July, so you’re ready to lodge the NFP self-review return.
NFP self-review return now part of the Statement of Tax Record
The Statement of Tax Record (STR) is issued by us to show satisfactory engagement with the tax system. Organisations may be required to provide a STR to government agencies when:
- tendering for Commonwealth procurement valued at $4 million or more, or
- applying to administer the Child Care SubsidyExternal Link (CCS) program on behalf of the Australian Government.
On 13 June the NFP self-review return was added to the STR, so you will need to be up to date with your lodgment to obtain a satisfactory STR. If your organisation needs to provide a STR, check that you are current with all your obligations before you apply.
Guidance for private and public ancillary funds
We recently released Taxation Determination TD 2026/3 Income Tax: When does a private or public ancillary fund ‘provide’ a ‘benefit’? This provides clarification for how we interpret the term 'benefit', since it can be context dependent. It doesn't change our view on the meaning of benefit. Ancillary funds can use the determination as guidance:
- when including benefits in your yearly minimum annual distribution calculation
- to avoid providing benefits to entities related to the ancillary fund when undertaking investment activities.
Thanks to everyone who provided feedback on the draft tax determination during the consultation period earlier this year.
Best regards
Tom