May 2026 Newsletter
Contents:
- $1,000 instant tax deduction sparks warning for millions
- Truckies to win fuel support after ‘historic’ order
- Capital gains tax overhaul looms for foreign investors
- Right to Disconnect commences 26/08/2026 for SME’s
- Announcements
$1,000 instant tax deduction sparks warning for millions
Millions of Aussies will be eligible to claim a $1,000 instant tax deduction under new laws finally unveiled this week. The change means Aussies will no longer need to provide receipts for that level of deduction, but a tax expert has warned it may actually leave some workers worse off.
Truckies to win fuel support after ‘historic’ order
Large companies at the top of supply chains have been ordered to have transport contractor pay rates reflect the price of fuel, as the Fair Work Commission has affected its order under recently passed legislation.
On Tuesday (21 April), the Fair Work Commission ordered companies at the top of the supply chain to undertake fortnightly or bi-monthly fuel price reviews and to adjust the pay of transport contractors, such as truck drivers, to recover the increased cost of fuel.
Capital gains tax overhaul looms for foreign investors
Capital gains tax rules are set to be overhauled for foreign investors, as the government seeks to ensure they “pay their fair share of tax”. The proposed changes have sparked controversy as they would apply retrospectively and could back-tax investors as far back as 2006.
Right to Disconnect commences 26/08/2026 for SME’s
Under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act), employees have the right to disengage from work and refrain from engaging in work-related communications and activities, such as emails, telephone calls or other messages, outside of their working hours, unless this refusal to respond is unreasonable.
Just Announced
20% Registration Rebate
The Victorian Government has announced a new cost-of-living relief measure providing a 20 per cent rebate on light vehicle registration fees for the 2025–26 period. Aimed at easing the financial burden of rising fuel prices and household expenses, the one-off initiative allows eligible motorists to claim back up to $186 per vehicle for up to two vehicles registered in their name.
Applications for the rebate will open on June 1, 2026, via the Service Victoria website and app, offering immediate financial support to millions of drivers across the state.
https://transport.vic.gov.au/news-and-resources/news/victorian-vehicle-registration-rebate
Announcements:
This month we have no significant work anniversaries to announce. |
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Important ATO Dates
| Lodgement Program | Date |
| Individual and Trust tax returns for 2024–25 | 15/05/2026 |
| Fringe benefits tax (FBT) return – Final date for lodgment and payment (if required) | 21/05/2026 |
| April monthly activity statements | 26/05/2026 |
Other News
From 1 July 2026, Payday Super will change how and when super is paid, how it’s reported to the ATO, and could have a noticeable impact on your cash flow if you’re not prepared.
- Cashflow
- Compliance Risks
- Tech Integration
- Employee Reactions
| Date | Location | Venue |
| Mon 20 April | Stawell | Swifts Football Club, North Park 1 Lamont Street |
| Mon 27 April | Rupanyup | Rupanyup Football Club, 21 Gibson Street |
| Wed 29 April | Horsham | Horsham Saints Football Club, Coughlin Park 14 Hamilton Street |
| Mon 4 May | Ararat | Ararat Football Club, Alexandra Oval |
Quickbooks Online – Upgrade to Open Banking feeds
Is your bookkeeping ready for the “Open Banking” era? QuickBooks is currently upgrading its bank feed connections, and the legacy system you are currently using is set to be retired on 31 May 2026.
To ensure your data remains accurate and your bank transactions continue to flow without disruption, we recommend completing this upgrade as soon as possible.
Need a Hand with the Transition?
While QuickBooks offers their own online and phone support, we know these transitions can feel a bit “involved.” If you’d rather skip the long support queues and get straight to the solution, our team is here to help.
We can provide personalized assistance to walk you through the setup and ensure everything is mapped correctly.
Ready to upgrade? Please contact our office today to schedule a time for one of our team members to assist you with the transition.