Employment taxes

Payroll Tax

The pressure, requirements and time cost placed on taxpayers to correctly calculate and comply with payroll tax obligations nationwide is constantly increasing, with harmonisation across different Australian jurisdictions and the Revenue Offices announcing a more ‘aggressive’ compliance program.

Grant Thornton can help relieve payroll tax pressure and time cost. Our advisers will ensure that you are utilising available exemptions and exclusions in respect of ‘taxable wages’, contractors and grouping etc, helping you to legitimately minimise the amount of payroll tax due and mitigate the risk of the imposition of penalties and interest.

Grant Thornton can assist you through the provision of advisory and consultancy services, or by undertaking a thorough review of your payroll tax procedures and calculation methodologies.

Grant Thornton has successfully negotiated settlements and favourable rulings from Revenue Offices on behalf of taxpayers and we keep abreast of the new legislation, amendments and harmonisation of the tax in every state, so you don’t have to worry so much.

The indirect tax partners and staff at Grant Thornton look forward to working with you to resolve your payroll tax issues, and any other indirect tax issues you may have, helping you achieve your commercial objectives.

PAYG Withholding

As routine as withholding taxes from salaries sounds, there is more complexity to this matter than meets the eye. In particular, errors are common when arrangements or payments are less routine.

Common areas of confusion include:

• whether contractors are subject to withholding
• withholding when you send staff abroad or receiving seconded staff from overseas
• withholding on termination and retirement payments
• withholding on allowances

Grant Thornton can assist you through the provision of advisory and consultancy services, or by undertaking a thorough review of your PAYG withholding procedures and calculation methodologies.

For more information about Grant Thornton’s tax advisory, contact:

Peter Godber

National Head of Taxation Services