Compliance and support for employers

Employer onboarding update
Contributions Implementation Working Group
Presented by Kate Wilson
Director, Data Standards & E-Commerce, ATO
1 May 2015
Approaching 30 June 2015
Medium and large employers
 The implementation window is closing
- Employers should have selected SuperStream solutions to send
contributions
- Employers need to finalise the implementation otherwise they will be
non-compliant
- We will continue to focus on education and support in the July-Sept
period
- But the ATO needs to see ‘genuine and reasonable’ plans to implement
Small employers
 Need to actively select a SuperStream solution now
- Employers should not delay as SuperStream offers small business
considerable benefits over the old way of paying contributions
- The ATO is laying the foundation for a sustained education and support
campaign for the next two years
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From July 2015
Assess implementation
 Superannuation guarantee cut-off date for Q1 is 28 July
- Employers must pay superannuation contributions to the fund by
this date
 The ATO will assess SuperStream implementation
- We will be asking funds to share their assessments
 We need to be mindful that we are entering a bedding
down period
- The links in the SuperStream ‘chain’ will become stronger over the
first few contribution cycles
 Our initial focus will be on systemic issues (macro view)
not individual cases (micro view)
- But we expect funds to educate and support individual employers
in getting it right
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What does the ATO expect?
Compliance and support for employers
 Your SuperStream solutions need to be ready
 You should continue your ‘onboarding’ activities to support
employers
- Outreach and education
- For example providing information on USIs, webinars, accurate
website content
- Continuous improvements are needed
- Work to resolve issues, not instantly refer non-compliance to the
ATO
 You should let employers know what your SuperStream
readiness plans are
- Keep the ATO informed so we can assist you where needed
 You need to be able to verify your SuperStream
compliance claims
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ATO initiatives
Key focus areas
 Connecting employers with SuperStream solutions
 Working with solution providers to achieve compliance
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ATO initiatives
ATO regional SuperStream information sessions
 Completed: Bathurst, Albury, Wodonga and Bunbury
- Large audiences and well-subscribed events
- Panel discussion
- Networking (event, community and local professionals)
 Upcoming: Launceston, Tamworth, Lismore, Mildura
- Visit our website for others as they are confirmed (June – Aug
2015)
- Virtual events for remote locations
 Successful co-marketing opportunities
- You don’t need to be at the event
- You should activate your local networks / contacts at the same
time as the ATO
- You can help to create a SuperStream ‘buzz’ in the region for
maximum impact on employers
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ATO initiatives
ATO industry segment engagement
 SuperStream ‘health checks’ and gap strategies
 Tailored marketing
Accounting professionals
 Practical support for those that support employers and their
channel partners (like payroll software)
- Generally high levels of awareness
- Positive implementation results
 Encourage proactive planning for their employer clients
 ATO is hosting large events (200+ attendees), webinars and
meetings one-on-one across Australia
SMSFs
 Mail out to SMSF trustees linked with small employers
(mid April)
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Conclusion
What does the ATO expect?
 Most employers will do their best to be ready for
SuperStream
 Funds and others will support employers in their
implementation
 The ATO will be checking compliance
- Do not want to create panic
- There will be a bedding down period
- Work with us
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