Tax Alert – March 2026

The ATO has released several new resources to help Australians understand upcoming changes and avoid common tax pitfalls. These include a checklist to help employers prepare for what the ATO calls a “once‑in‑a‑generation change”, as well as updated guidance on the tax treatment of commercial deals.

Here’s what you need to know.

Preparing for Payday Super

A major change to superannuation is coming. From 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay super every payday, rather than quarterly.

To help businesses get ready, the ATO has released a Payday Super Checklist. This guide helps employers:

• understand the new rules
• plan a smooth transition
• update payroll systems and internal processes
• prepare to pay super at the same time as wages.

The ATO has also published Practical Compliance Guidelines outlining its compliance approach during the first year of the new regime, giving employers more certainty during the transition phase.

Barter credit tax scheme under the microscope

The ATO is warning taxpayers to avoid an emerging tax scheme involving barter credits—a type of alternative currency used in some business networks. ^I

The scheme attempts to artificially inflate tax deductions by claiming donations of barter credits to deductible gift recipients. The ATO has made it clear this practice is unlawful and may result in audits and significant penalties.

Part of the problem is that some barter exchanges issue credits with an inflated face value that doesn’t match what participants actually paid. The ATO is closely monitoring this behaviour.

Understanding tax on commercial deals

The ATO defines a commercial deal as any significant business transaction that may affect the structure of a business, for example, takeovers, restructures, or acquisitions.

To help businesses navigate the often‑complex tax outcomes associated with these transactions, the ATO has released new case studies and explainer videos showing how tax applies in real‑world scenarios.

These include examples such as:

• a small business CGT rollover for a primary production business
• two siblings selling family company shares to a third sibling
• restructuring a small company prior to a share sale.

The ATO highlights that engaging early, before lodging returns, can help resolve tax issues and prevent later disputes. ⁱⁱ

Protecting your GST and fuel tax credits

Some taxpayers are unintentionally missing out on GST and fuel tax credits because they either fail to lodge the relevant BAS, or do not amend their BAS within the four‑year time limit.

The clock generally starts from the due date of the original BAS in which the credit should have been claimed.

Importantly:

• lodging an amendment or voluntary disclosure does not protect the entitlement
• the ATO must process any amendments within the four‑year period
• once the time limit expires, the ATO has no discretion to include the credits. ⁱⁱⁱ

Sound record‑keeping and regular reviews can help ensure you don’t lose valuable credits.

Avoiding delays when winding up SMSFs

The ATO is also reminding self‑managed super fund (SMSF) trustees to follow the correct steps when winding up a fund. ^Iv

After lodging the final SMSF annual return (SAR), trustees have 28 days to complete the final rollover. If any member benefits remain in the fund after the wind‑up date, trustees may face:

• delays
• an inability to use SuperStream
• the need to lodge another SAR.

To avoid complications, trustees should:

• keep contact details up to date
• finalise outstanding transactions and debts promptly
• roll over most assets before lodging the final SAR
• only close the SMSF bank account once the ATO confirms the wind‑up.

ATO help after natural disasters

Following recent natural disasters across Australia, the ATO is reminding affected taxpayers that support is available. ^v This applies to events such as bushfires, cyclones, droughts, floods and severe storms.

In disaster‑declared areas, the ATO may automatically pause correspondence and provide additional assistance, such as:

• extra time to pay tax debts
• extensions for lodging returns, BAS and other obligations
• personalised payment plans
• remission of penalties or interest charged during the affected period.

If you need help understanding any of the ATO updates above or how they may affect you or your business, please get in touch with our accounting team. We can walk you through the changes, clarify your obligations and help you stay ahead of any compliance issues.

Sources

i ATO warns about barter credit tax scheme | Australian Taxation Office

ii Commercial deals service resources | Australian Taxation Office

iii Act early: Protect your GST and fuel tax credit entitlements | Australian Taxation Office

iv Get it right! Avoid delays when winding up your SMSF | Australian Taxation Office

v Summary of our disaster support | Australian Taxation Office