Payday Super
The introduction of Payday Super from 1 July 2026 means that super guarantee:
- is paid to your employees' nominated super funds for each payday
- is calculated on qualifying earnings which brings together ordinary time earnings and other payments
- must reach employees' super funds within 7 business days after payday (unless a longer timeframe applies, such as for new employees).
From 1 July 2026, you also must report both qualifying earnings and super liability in your Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting.
Updated SuperStream data and payment standards allow near real-time payments to help you and your intermediaries meet deadlines. Improved error messaging allows you to address errors faster.
If super payments aren't received by the right super funds in full and within the required time, super guarantee charge (SGC) will apply. Until you get an assessment of SGC, you should pay your late contributions to your employee's super fund.
Late payment offsets aren't available under Payday Super or for the quarter ending June 2026.
Remember you won’t be able to use the Small Business Super Clearing House (SBSCH) for any payments on or after 1 July 2026. You should allow sufficient time to download your super records and transition to an alternative provider.
For more information, see Payday Super.
Denying deductions for ATO interest charges
If you incur general interest charge (GIC) or shortfall interest charge (SIC) on or after 1 July 2025, you can't claim these amounts as an income tax deduction in your 2025–26 or later tax returns. GIC or SIC incurred before 1 July 2025 can still be claimed in the 2024–25 and earlier income years.
For more information, see Denying deductions for ATO interest charges.
Pre-fill for sole traders
Pre-fill is available to sole traders completing their tax return. It securely imports verified information directly into your tax return, helping you get it right the first time. We’re continuing to expand the amount of trusted business data included in pre-fill – including new Taxable payments annual report (TPAR) data – so you can enjoy a faster, smoother and more accurate tax time.
Pre-fill data is added as it becomes available from banks, government agencies, health funds and other third-party providers.
From Tax Time 2026 for sole traders, the following additional information will be pre-filled into your tax return:
- assessable payments received by you, including government grants and payments reported on your Taxable payment annual report (TPAR)
- your Australian business number (ABN)
- the value of your opening stock (if any).
Note that any grants or payments not reported through the TPAR won't be included.
If you wait until this information is ready, you’ll have fewer gaps to fill in and may reduce the need for amendments. Most TPAR data will not be available until after 28 August, unless the payer lodges early.
You stay in control – all pre-filled information must be reviewed and confirmed by you before lodging.
For more information, see Pre-fill availability.
Claim a deduction on the cost of eligible assets
A deduction is available to businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $10 million. If you’re eligible, you may be able to deduct the business portion of eligible assets which cost less than $20,000.
Eligible assets must be first used or installed ready for use, between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. The $20,000 limit will apply on a per asset basis, so you can instantly write off multiple assets.
For more information, see Instant asset write-off for eligible businesses.
Personal use of PHEVs and FBT
If you provide your employees, their family members or associates with plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) for personal use, there are important changes that may affect your obligations this fringe benefits tax (FBT) tax time.
Home-charging expenses – new shortcut method
There is now a new optional shortcut method to make working out home-charging electricity costs easier. We’ve updated guidance to include a simpler method to help you calculate electricity costs when an employee charges a PHEV at home. To use this method, you must meet the eligibility requirements, or you can continue to calculate the actual electricity costs instead.
Eligibility for FBT exemption
Since 1 April 2025, PHEVs are not considered as a zero or low emissions vehicle under FBT law and will no longer qualify as exempt. This means, you may now have FBT obligations for the 2025–26 FBT year if you've continued providing PHEVs to employees for personal use.
You may continue to be eligible for the electric car exemption if you meet the FBT exemption requirements.
Business tax return amendment period extended
Businesses with an annual aggregated turnover of less than $50 million now have up to 4 years from the date of their tax assessment to request amendments. This applies to assessments for the 2024–25 and later income years.
For more information, see Request an amendment to a business or super tax return.