Correcting+common+GST+mistakes+in+small+business

Correcting common GST mistakes in small business
http://www.switzer.com.au/the-experts/joe-kaleb-tax-expert/correcting-common-gst-mistakes-in-small-business/

Correcting common GST mistakes in small business
  The GST has now been in operation for 10 years, yet, despite a massive education campaign by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) over the years, there are still common errors and omissions that are being made by many small businesses on their BAS returns. Most of these errors relate to the over-claiming of GST credits.  Below, I have explored some of the more common GST mistakes that are made by small and micro businesses and, where appropriate, identified the correct GST treatment so that these errors are minimised in the future.  **1. The correct accounting method**  Not using the correct accounting method – if the business is using the cash accounting method for GST, but not for income tax purposes, and the turnover of the business is expected to be $2 million or more, the business needs to change to the accruals or invoice basis.  **2. Bank fees**  Incorrectly claiming GST credits on bank fees (e.g. monthly and annual fees, cheque book fees and loan establishment fees). Bank fees are treated as 'input taxed', meaning that the Bank does not charge GST to the customer. Note that GST is charged on credit card merchants’ fees and, therefore, a GST credit can be claimed on these.  **3. Government charges**  Incorrectly claiming GST credits on government charges, such as land tax, council rates, water rates, ASIC filing fees and motor vehicle registration, where no GST has been charged.  **4. Business insurance policies**  Incorrectly claiming a GST credit on the 'total cost' of a business insurance policy. As there is a stamp duty component in the premium, which is not subject to GST, a GST credit cannot be claimed on this portion of the payment. The actual amount of GST payable on an insurance premium is usually stated on the renewal form.  **5. Cars and equipment**  GST is not paid on the sale of cars and equipment, including the trade of motor vehicles. The sale of a business asset is subject to GST just like any ordinary business transaction unless the going concern exemption applies.  **6. Government grants** <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> Not remitting GST on some government grants and incentives, which are received inclusive of GST. <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> **7. GST-free purchases** <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> Incorrectly claiming GST credits on GST-free purchases such as basic food items, exports and some health services. <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> **8. Wages and superannuation** <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> Incorrectly claiming GST credits on wages and superannuation payments. <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> **9. Entertainment expenses** <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> Incorrectly claiming the full amount of GST credits on entertainment expenses, where the business has elected for fringe benefits tax purposes to use the 50/50 split method, in which case only 50 per cent of the input tax credits can be claimed. <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> **10. Luxury car limit** <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> Claiming the entire GST credits on a car purchased for more than the luxury car limit ($57,466 GST inclusive for the 2010/11 year). The maximum GST credit that can be claimed is limited to $5224 (one-eleventh of $57,466). <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> **11. Fringe benefits** <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> Not remitting GST on the taxable value of fringe benefits provided where an employee contribution is made. <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> **12. Valid tax invoices** <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> Claiming a GST credit when the business does not have a valid tax invoice at the time of lodging the BAS. Businesses in this situation should contact the ATO for further advice. <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> **13. Private and business use** <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> Sole traders and partnerships are not apportioning input tax credits and making adjustments to expenditure that is partly private and partly business use, such as motor vehicle expenses). To calculate their GST liability, small businesses are required to undertake this apportionment each time they prepare their BAS. In practice, the actual private use may not be accurately determined until the business is required to complete and lodge its annual income tax return. Sole traders and partnerships with an annual turnover of up to $2 million that pay GST either quarterly or monthly can apply private use apportionment for GST purposes on an annual basis instead of each time the BAS is lodged. <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> **14. Commercial hire purchase** <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> Incorrectly claiming an upfront GST credit on assets financed by way of commercial hire purchase (CHP). While an up-front GST credit is available for businesses accounting for GST using the accruals or invoice basis, this is not available where the business uses the cash basis. When the cash basis applies, the GST credit to be claimed is calculated as one-eleventh of the 'principal' portion of the total CHP payments made during the relevant month or quarter, (i.e. the credit is claimed progressively over the term of the CHP loan). In order to claim the total GST credit upfront, businesses operating on a cash basis would need to consider financing the asset by way of a chattel mortgage. <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> **15. Yellow pages advertising** <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> Incorrectly claiming GST credits on payments for yellow pages advertising. Where the business chooses to pay for the cost of advertising by instalments, the entire GST is charged up-front. Businesses that account for GST on an accruals or invoice basis can claim this amount in their next BAS, whereas businesses that use the cash basis can only claim a GST credit equivalent to one-eleventh of each instalment. <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #575353; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> **Correcting GST Mistakes** <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> Where a business has made a clerical error on an earlier period BAS or omitted a particular transaction, there are both 'time' and 'dollar’ thresholds for determining the particular BAS in which the error or omission needs to be corrected. A business can make the change in the 'current' BAS where all of the following conditions are satisfied: <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;"> Where the 'net' effect of the errors or omissions from previous BAS occurs outside the relevant time and dollar limits, the business must revise each of the original BAS that the errors or omissions occurred in. This may lead to the imposition of a general interest charge where the revision results in additional GST payable. <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">**//Important information://**//This content has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular individual. It does not constitute formal advice. For this reason, any individual should, before acting, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual’s objectives, financial situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.// <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;">Published: Friday, July 16, 2010
 * <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-size: medium;">The turnover of the business is less than $20 million.
 * <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-size: medium;">The 'net' effect of the errors and omissions from the earlier period BAS is less than $5000 in GST credits.
 * <span style="background-color: #d0d0d0; color: #202121; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-size: medium;">The original transactions occurred within 18 months of the end of the current BAS period.