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Tax & Employment Compliance Workshop 2024 Session 4

Recorded 6 May 2024. The changing legal environment

Compliance review framework for workers and employers
Recent Fair Work changes
Preventing penalties from arising

Recorded 6 May 2024

Over the last few years we have seen a significant spotlight on worker rights and entitlements with random ATO audits on the rise.

Businesses that engage employees or contractors are subject to a wide range of obligations under the tax and super systems. Failing to satisfy these obligations can lead to adverse outcomes and significant penalties, not just for the business entity, but sometimes for the individuals who control that entity.

The Tax & Employment Compliance Workshop steps through a review framework for addressing the key compliance interactions between workers and employers. We explore the gamut of issues faced by employers from the classification of allowances to payroll tax to director responsibilities. It’s a comprehensive overview of the obligations, problem areas and opportunities within the tax system, and the emerging areas of concern.

In some areas, like payroll tax, accountants can only go so far in the advice they provide but are still expected to know all of the answers by their clients. This is why it is so important to understand the key risk areas and latest developments so that accountants and their clients know when it is time to seek legal advice.

Optimising outcomes for clients and importantly, protecting against some very significant risks, is essential from both a commercial and compliance perspective. 

Total 1.25 CPD Hours

What we cover

Session 4

We explore the gamut of issues faced by employers from the classification of allowances, to payroll tax, to director responsibilities. It’s a comprehensive overview of the obligations, problem areas and opportunities within the tax system.

An interactive case study will be used to build on the concepts explored throughout the online workshops.

with Megan Bishop & Megan Cant

The changing legal environment

The employment landscape has been the subject of much litigation and legislative amendment recently.

Changes to the Fair Work Act landscape:
- changes to casual workers
- labour hire arrangements
- the definition of an employee and
- the ‘right to disconnect’
Capturing independent contractors under the workers compensation schemes
Payroll tax – relevant contractors and employment agents
Superannuation compliance
- common traps and current issues to look out for
The director penalty regime
- practical steps that can be taken to mitigate risk

Megan Bishop

Tax Partner, Holding Redlich

Megan is a tax partner at Holding Redlich. She specialises in tax risk management and dispute resolution – the actions taxpayers can take to prevent disputes arising and engage with Revenue authorities to resolve them where they do.

Megan works across all phases of the tax lifecycle from transaction to litigation in the High Court. She has particular expertise in employment taxes, the research and development incentive, residency related and trust related tax issues.

Megan Cant

Special Counsel, Holding Redlich

Megan is a Special Counsel at Holding Redlich.

With specialist experience of more than 12 years, Megan is an expert adviser in all areas of employment, industrial relations, and work health and safety law.

Megan partners with employers and directors in navigating the legal landscape of the employment lifecycle with a strategic mindset. She has particular industry expertise in media, professional services, superannuation, construction, prestige and luxury goods and the automotive, health and not-for-profit sectors.