WHAT’S CHANGING FOR SMALL BUSINESS IN 2026

Super, Data Matching & the New GIC Remission Rules

As the new financial year approaches, several key changes are on the horizon for small business. Understanding these developments now will help you manage your cash flow, meet your obligations and make informed financial decisions.

In this blog, we cover:

• Payday Super and the upcoming 1 July 2026 changes

• Increased ATO data matching and Super Guarantee compliance activity

• New GIC remission rules

Your bookkeeper plays an important role in helping you prepare for and manage these changes. Early planning will help your business stay compliant and manage the financial impact of the upcoming changes.

Payday Super

Payday Super will commence on 1 July 2026. Under the current system, employers are required to pay Super Guarantee (SG) at least quarterly. This allows a delay between paying wages and paying superannuation.

Under Payday Super, SG will generally need to be paid at the same time as wages — typically within 7 business daysof each pay day. Reporting will align closely with Single Touch Payroll (STP).

This represents a significant shift in how superannuation is managed. Instead of treating super as a quarterly obligation, it will become a per-pay-cycle commitment.

For your business, this means:

• Super will impact cash flow more frequently

• Payroll systems must be accurate and compliant

• Super payments must be processed and cleared on time

• Clearing house processes must operate efficiently

The accounting software providers and clearing houses are still working on ensuring they are PayDay Super compliant. However, in the meantime, your bookkeeper can get the ball rolling by reviewing your payroll systems, assisting with cash flow forecasting, and ensuring your processes are ”Payday Super ready” for the 1 July 2026 commencement date.

ATO Data Matching & Super Guarantee Compliance

The ATO’s visibility over employer obligations has increased significantly through STP reporting. Each pay cycle, the ATO receives detailed information including gross wages, PAYG withholding and SG amounts accrued.

Although STP does not confirm whether super has been paid, the ATO can compare this data with information reported by super funds and clearing houses. This means that any unpaid or late paid superannuation will become more visible to the ATO and much earlier to detect.

If super is not paid on time and in full, Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC) will apply – even if the payment is only one day late!

The SGC is currently not tax deductible and includes:

• Interest (currently 10% p.a.)

• Administration fees

• Potential penalties

From 1 July 2026, the SGC will become tax deductible, however paying SGC remains much more costly than paying super on time.

With Payday Super approaching, compliance activity in this area is expected to increase.

Your bookkeeper can assist by:

• Ensuring your payroll processes are ready for the 1 July 26 changes

• Regularly reconciling super payable accounts

• Monitoring payment deadlines

• Ensuring clearing house payments are processed early

• Identifying and resolving issues before they escalate

New GIC Remission Rules

It May Now Be Easier to Request Relief

If your business has an ATO debt, you may have noticed that interest is applied regularly. This is called the General Interest Charge (GIC) and it accrues daily on unpaid tax debts.

While the ATO has always had the discretion to remit (reduce) GIC in certain circumstances, the process has historically been inconsistent and difficult to navigate. Recent changes aim to make the remission process clearer, more structured and more accessible for small business.

What has changed?

The ATO has introduced a more standardised and form-driven process for requesting GIC remission. This is designed to increase the likelihood that requests are assessed consistently and encourages taxpayers to provide the right information upfront.

One of the most helpful changes is a faster process for smaller remission requests.

Where the amount of GIC requested to be remitted is under $2,500, and the business has a good payment and compliance history, the request may be processed more quickly with less detailed review.

Larger requests are still assessed individually by the ATO, guided by their Practice Statement on remission of interest charges.

What the ATO considers

When assessing a remission request, the ATO will look at the circumstances that led to the delay in payment and whether reasonable steps were taken to minimise the debt.

Typically, the request must explain:

• What prevented the debt from being paid on time

• How long those circumstances affected your ability to pay

• What actions you took to address the situation and reduce the delay

• Providing clear and accurate information is important, as remission is not automatic and is assessed case by case.

A more structured process

Key features of the updated approach include:

• A single approved application form for most remission requests

• A dedicated ATO processing team to improve consistency and turnaround times

• Faster handling of smaller remission requests where compliance history is strong

In most cases, remission requests are no longer approved over the phone and must be lodged using the approved ATO process.

How your BAS Agent can help

If your business is experiencing cash flow pressure or has an ATO balance that is growing, speaking with your BAS Agent early can help you understand your options and avoid the debt escalating further.

The information on this site is general in nature and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Please consult a professional for advice specific to your situation.

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