Payroll Whizzards Pty Ltd.

#NZTipsThursday Your Quick & Simple Guide to Paid Parental Leave in New Zealand. Having a baby or caring for a child under six is one of life’s biggest milestones. But it’s a lot to handle, especially if you’re stepping away from work. New Zealand’s Paid Parental Leave exists to make sure you’re financially supported while focusing on what really matters—your family. Here are the basic facts: 👶 Who Can Get It? If you’re taking time off to care for a newborn or a child under six, or recovering from pregnancy, you may be eligible. Employee or self-employed? You could still be eligible - as long as you have been working regularly. 💰 How Much Can You Get? This depends on your income before taking leave. Payments can last for up to 26 weeks, so you can take that time to settle into parenthood without worrying about your main source of income disappearing. ⏰ When Should You Apply? Apply as early as you can! You can send in your application up to three months before your baby’s due date or as soon as a young child comes into your care. The sooner you apply, the sooner those payments start rolling in. ❤️ Can You Share It with Your Partner? Absolutely! If your partner is eligible too, you can transfer some (or all) of your paid leave to them. This gives you both the chance to share the joys (and sleepless nights) of caring for your little one. ✨ Other Goodies You Might Get If you qualify for paid parental leave, you could also get extra financial support through Working for Families. And if you’re part of KiwiSaver, you can decide whether to keep contributing while on leave—especially handy if you’re saving for a first home. 📢 How to Make It Easy! The paperwork can feel like a hassle, but the IRD (Inland Revenue Department) is there to help with anything from figuring out if you’re eligible to applying. If you found this NZTip useful please follow #NZTipsThursday. For both Aus & NZ content please follow #PayrollWhizzards If you have any special requests for any particular #NZtopics - please indicate in the comments below. #PayrollWhizzards #NZpayroll #NZParentalLeave

Underpaying Employees Is Now a Criminal Offence in Australia As of January 1, 2025, Australia has drawn a hard line against wage theft. Deliberate underpayment of employees is now a criminal offence, with consequences that go far beyond a slap on the wrist. Companies caught shortchanging their staff could face fines of up to $8.25 million. For individuals, it’s $1.65 million, along with the very real possibility of spending up to ten years behind bars. The new law sends a clear message: paying employees correctly is non-negotiable. But here’s the problem—many businesses aren’t as confident in their payroll systems as they should be. In a recent survey conducted by a workforce compliance company - only about half of companies in high-risk industries like finance, telecommunications, and construction are confident their payroll is accurate. Even more concerning, 19% admitted they suspect errors in their payroll processes. For businesses, this isn’t just a compliance issue—it’s a survival issue. When a single mistake can lead to massive financial penalties, reputational damage, and even criminal charges. The stakes have never been higher. If you’re an employer, it’s time to audit your payroll systems, double-check your processes, and invest in technology that keeps you compliant. In this new era, ignorance isn’t just expensive—it’s criminal. If you need assistance with your payroll processes and keeping compliant - Payroll Whizzards Pty Ltd. can help Email teams@payrollportal.com.au for further information #PayrollWhizzards #PayrollCompliance #Payroll

Payroll Compliance is impacting us more and more in the real world! For instance - did you know that the new Build-to-Rent (BTR) Regulations that came into effect on 1st January 2025 tie rental affordability to tenant income thresholds, which are calculated as a percentage of average annual earnings? To qualify: Rent payable under the lease must be 74.9% or less of the equivalent market value Tenants must also meet income thresholds based on their most recent taxable income. 🔥120% of average annual earnings for single adults 🔥130% for two or more adults 🔥140% for households with dependent children 4 ways this will impact payroll compliance processes ✔️Income Verification: Ensure year-end taxable income aligns with employees’ income records. ✔️Data Accuracy: Errors in taxable income reporting can delay housing eligibility assessments or risk non-compliance. ✔️Regularly audit payroll systems to ensure accurate tax and income reporting. ✔️Clear communication: Helping employees understand how their reported taxable income impacts access to affordable housing. Payroll compliance supports employees in meeting housing eligibility criteria under the Income Tax Assessment (Build to Rent Developments) Determination 2024. #MargaretLilburne #PayrollCompliance Adeal Rizvi - Property Strategist Pratik Dave Felisa M. Tony To 🏠

Compliance Made Agile: Anticipate, Adapt, Succeed. Business agility matters! Adapting to market trends or launching innovative products is important when it comes to Agility. Staying ahead of regulatory change and anticipating the impact it will make on your business - becomes a game-changer! In payroll compliance, legislation never stands still. Whether it’s updates to leave entitlements, changes in tax thresholds, or new superannuation rules, every shift demands quick and accurate action. For your payroll team, this isn’t just a task—it’s a challenge that tests the agility and resilience of your systems. The real question is, how prepared are you? Businesses that thrive don’t just react to changes—they anticipate them. They build strong partnerships, and equip their teams with the tools they need, when they need to pivot quickly. When your compliance processes are handled, your team can focus on what really matters: driving business value and employee satisfaction. A lack of agility can lead to compliance risks that creep in unnoticed. Such as - 💥Small inaccuracies in payroll calculations, 💥Unprocessed updates, or 💥Delayed responses to new laws can snowball into significant penalties or reputational damage. Are you confident you’re protecting your business from compliance risk? If the answer isn’t a resounding “yes,” it’s worth re-evaluating your approach. Compliance isn’t just about risk management—it’s about creating a business that’s prepared for anything. Are you ready? Happy Monday to my amazing network! #MargaretLilburne Payroll Whizzards Pty Ltd. #Agile

#NZTipsThursday   Got Visitors in New Zealand: Payroll Compliance for Employers: 🌏 Are you hiring visitors or short-term workers in New Zealand? Payroll compliance begins with understanding tax residency. This is important to know! Tax residency isn’t just your employee’s responsibility—it’s yours too as an employer. Classifying a worker incorrectly can lead to errors in payroll reporting and potential penalties. 🔍 Depending on their stay and income, visitors can be classified as: 1️⃣ Visitors: No income obligations. 2️⃣ Permanent Tax Residents: Present in New Zealand for more than 183 days in 12 months. 3️⃣ Non-Residents: Earning income but subject to specific tax rules. Employers must therefore: ✅ Determine the correct tax status for each employee. ✅ Deduct taxes accurately. ✅ Ensure their payroll systems comply with Inland Revenue rules. 💡 If your employee’s home country has a Double Tax Agreement (DTA) with New Zealand, they might qualify for reduced rates or exemptions. But these benefits require careful application and proof. 📘 The IR294 Visitor’s Tax Guide is an invaluable resource for employers in New Zealand. It breaks down tax residency rules and helps you align payroll with compliance requirements. 📣 Educate your team and get audit-ready with IR294. Compliance isn’t just good practice—it’s the law. If you find this helpful follow #NZTipsThursday #PayrollWhizzards #NZPayroll #IRD

Payroll and Tax: A Compliance Powerhouse Many professionals do not realise how closely Payroll Compliance is aligned with Taxation requirements. Let's start with the TAS Act (Tax Agent Services Act 2009) - this doesn’t just enhance your expertise; it boosts your credibility with tax agents, employers, and clients. You’re no longer just the person ensuring accurate payslips—you’re a strategic partner in delivering compliance excellence. By aligning with the TAS Act, payroll professionals position themselves as indispensable to the broader compliance ecosystem. Employers will see you as a trusted advisor, not just a backend processor. By familiarising yourself with the provisions of the TAS Act; connecting with tax agents, streamlining your processes to align with the Act’s guidelines you too can achieve compliance excellence. Both Payroll Compliance and Tax Agents working in collaboration bring unique skills that can, create a seamless compliance strategy. ✨Why Do These Roles Work So Well Together? Payroll handles accurate employee data and superannuation contributions. Tax agents ensure compliance with broader tax laws and audits. Together, they identify and resolve potential compliance gaps. This is key to avoiding penalties and ensuring compliance with the Tax Agent Services Act 2009. Let’s discuss in the comments! Together, we can make compliance not just a responsibility—but an opportunity for growth and collaboration. #PayrollWhizzards #TaxAgents #PayrollCompliance

Nowhere to Hide: What This Means for Centrelink Recipients For those relying on Centrelink payments, there’s an important message in the new Single Touch Payroll (STP) data-matching program: Integrity is key, and accountability is non-negotiable.. With STP data now being used to cross-check information between the Tax Office & Workforce Australia (the organisation that tracks Centrelink employnent data) those attempting to game the system will find there’s nowhere to hide. Here’s what this means for Centrelink recipients: 1️⃣ Centrelink requires recipients to meet mutual obligation requirements, such as working, studying, or engaging in approved activities. STP data will now be used to verify whether participants have worked during their obligation period. For those doing the right thing, this means: ✔️ A system that supports you when you’re fulfilling your responsibilities. For those skirting the rules, it’s a different story. Missed obligations will be flagged,and attempts to avoid requirements by providing false information will no longer work. 2️⃣ Points Based Activation System (PBAS) The PBAS system allows recipients to claim points for activities that meet their obligations under social security law. If you’re working but not claiming points, this system will “nudge” you to ensure you fulfill your requirements. This ensures no one unintentionally misses their obligations, but also eliminates deliberate non-compliance. 3️⃣ A Level Playing Field The data-matching program protects the integrity of Centrelink and social support systems by: Identifying participants who attempt to claim benefits without meeting their responsibilities. Ensuring funds are distributed fairly to those who genuinely need them. With 46,000 participants in scope, the program uses advanced data-sharing methods to cross-check information securely and effectively. The result? High-confidence matches, accurate reporting, and a level playing field for all. A Warning for the Dishonest If you’re doing the right thing, this system is your ally, ensuring your compliance is recognised and rewarded. For those trying to manipulate the system, the message is clear: There’s nowhere to hide. #PayrollWhizzards #SingleTouchPayroll

ADP Blue Ocean Consultancy I love the idea of uniting two of my passions: The concept of "Blue Ocean Strategy" and "Payroll" The traditional marketplace for payroll professionals operates in a crowded marketplace, i.e a "red ocean"— competing with same offering in the usual with one-size-fits-all solution. But what if you could step into a blue ocean—a space of untapped opportunity, where your payroll becomes a tailored, strategic advantage? At Payroll Whizzards, we would like to invite you to explore a blue ocean approach, where your payroll processes are tailored to meet your unique needs, offering clarity, efficiency, and a fresh perspective. Here’s how we provide a shift toward more empowered payroll solutions: 🌟 Tailored, Not Standardised Customised for Your Business: Every business has distinct payroll needs. Our focus includes on designing ADP-centric solutions that align with your goals, your Awards, Your Agreements - and your software. ADP is a market leader. Skilled ADP operators who know how to get the best out of the program -are rare. We have - skilled ADP Payforce National operators in our network! Leverage our knowledge to unlock the full potential of systems like ADP Payforce National, ensuring they work for you—not the other way around. 🚀 Empowering Your Team In-House Training: We will work alongside your team to build confidence and skills, so they can manage and adapt your payroll processes independently. Agile Solutions: By developing your team’s expertise, we help you respond to regulatory changes and business shifts without relying on external agencies. Long-Term Cost Savings: Move beyond traditional agency reliance to create in-house capabilities that are more sustainable and cost-effective. 📩 Discover What’s Possible If you’re looking for a way to streamline your payroll processes while building internal expertise, we’d love to chat. 💼 Simple. Efficient. Yours. Let’s create a payroll solution that supports your business, your way. DM Payroll Whizzards Pty Ltd. for further information #PayrollWhizzards #ADP #BlueOcean

#NZTipsThursday If you are in New Zealand, you will know all about KiwiSaver, and the IRD tax requirement called ESCT (Employer Superannuation Contribution Tax) that applies to your employer’s contributions. It is calculated based on your income—and it’s vital to get it right! 📊 Currently the practice is that Inland Revenue is not automatically informed of your ESCT rate. This is important for payroll administrators to know - as it means if there is an issue, it may take weeks to resolve, possibly leading to penalties for your employer or delayed contributions for you. 😟 Not all income is treated equally when it comes to KiwiSaver. 🧐 Some amounts count for PAYE (Pay_As_You_Earn in NZ) but are excluded from KiwiSaver salary and wages. For example: ✅Accommodation benefits ✅Redundancy payments ✅Employer share scheme benefits Planned updates to the KiwiSaver Act 2006 which will require employers to share updated KiwiSaver-related details with Inland Revenue (like ESCT rates) will ensure: ✅Reducing the provisional period waiting period for employer contributions from three months to two. ✅Faster fund transfers to KiwiSaver providers.  ✅Better alignment of employer and employee contributions. ✅More transparency with ESCT rates. The result? Faster, more reliable contributions to your account, ensuring your retirement savings stay on track. This represents a small change which has a big impact! For more NZ payroll tips follow #NZTipsThursday #PayrollWhizzards #NZPayroll #KiwiSaver

Redefining Payroll: From Roadblocks to Opportunities: Happy New Year! The start of a new year is a perfect time to revisit the efficiency of your outsourced payroll system. In the ideal world - the right system should be a catalyst to create efficiency, giving your team the tools and data they need to drive results. All too often, outdated outsourced platforms and automated ticketing systems hold us back—locking away vital features and forcing us to jump through hoops to access critical, and what should be, standard reports. 🚧 The Cost of Restriction: When transparency is missing, frustration grows. Payroll and HR Teams waste valuable time navigating viable workarounds, chasing the relevant support tickets, or manually piecing together solutions. In the meantime tight deadlines and critical decisions don’t wait... Let’s discuss strategies about how to break free from outdated processes and bottlenecks – and how to do away with cumbersome support tickets. If you’ve faced these challenges, please share your experiences in the comments. If you are interested in sourcing smarter solutions and pushing for systems and tools that truly support innovation and growth – please get in touch with us! Let’s build a future where our platforms empower us—not hold us back! #MargaretLilburne #PayrollWhizzards #Outsourcedpayroll For who are following our NZ tips #NZTipsThursday will resume this afternoon for 2025.