SuperStream deadline is fast approaching!

SuperStream – the new COMPULSORY electronic regime for payment of employer super contributions and for submitting the related contribution information - commences from 1 July 2016. Additionally, SuperStream measures have implications for Self Managed Superannuation Funds which receive contributions from employers.

What is SuperStream and what does it require?

SuperStream is a requirement for all businesses to submit contribution payments and related information electronically in an approved format from 1 July 2016.

The information that is required to be submitted includes:

Employer details (the sender)
Employee details
Contribution types and amounts
Payment details including a unique payment reference number
Some employers may also choose to provide additional data.

Who has to comply with SuperStream?

Employers
The SuperStream regime will apply from 1 July 2016 for all employers.

Super Funds
Self Managed Superannuation Funds (‘SMSFs’) need to be able to receive the contributions electronically as well as the associated information via a data file.

An exemption exists for SMSFs that receive contributions only from related party employers. However, where an SMSF receives contributions from both a related party employer and from a non-related party employer, then the SMSF will need to comply with SuperStream.

I’m an employer, how do I comply with SuperStream?

There are several options available to you:

Upgrade your payroll software to a product that accommodates SuperStream requirements.

For example, MYOB has created a new feature called ‘Pay Super’ available in AccountRight (v2014.3 and later) to assist employers to comply with the new SuperStream measures. This feature is free as part of an AccountRight subscription.

MYOB Essentials products (formerly “Live Accounts”) use a two-step approach to comply with SuperStream requirements: first by creating a contribution file via the ‘Pay superannuation’ page, which should then be submitted to MYOB’s super portal.

Xero payroll function includes its Auto Superannuation feature for their Premium 5, Premium 10, Premium 20, Premium 50 and Premium 100 plans that will allow users to meet their SuperStream obligations
Please contact your Ruddicks adviser for assistance to ensure that your accounting software package is SuperStream compliant

Use a commercial clearing house or the free Small Business Clearing House (available through the ATO for employers with 19 or fewer employees as well as for businesses with an annual aggregated turnover of less than $2 million). You can find further information regarding the free Small Business Clearing House here.

Please note that the use of a commercial clearing house will add processing time between the sending of the contribution and the receipt of it by super funds. This additional time will need to be factored in when making contributions so that they are received within the prescribed 28 days following the end of a quarter. Many super funds provide such a service, and your existing default fund may well do so.

However, contributions made through the Small Business Clearing House are counted as being paid on the date the clearing house accepts them (so long as the fund does not subsequently reject the payments). This is an advantage over other clearing houses which typically hold onto the contributions for 3-10 days before they get to super funds and only then are counted as having been made.

Use an outsourced payroll service provider. This option could mean handing over much of the administration of your payroll including superannuation.

Please note that simply providing contribution data via email will not meet the SuperStream requirements.

I have an SMSF, how do I comply with SuperStream?

All super funds will have to receive all employer contributions in accordance with the SuperStream requirements.

TIP: Contributions sent to an SMSF from a related-party employer are exempt from SuperStream and can continue to be made under existing processes. However, the rules defining who is a related party are complicated – please contact us to discuss this if you think it may be relevant to you.

If your SMSF receives contributions from any non-related party employers, the fund has to:

Inform the employer(s) making contributions of the SMSF’s ABN and bank account details (BSB and account number); and
Provide the employer(s) with the fund’s electronic service address (‘ESA’) for receipt of a contribution data message.

The providers of our SMSF administration software have set up an electronic service address which our SMSF clients can use to comply with SuperStream. Accordingly, trustees of SMSFs administered by us do not need to obtain their own ESA. The ESA provided by our SMSF software provider is RECKONSMSF. If your SMSF is administered by us, you may provide this ESA to any employers who make contributions to your SMSF along with the fund’s ABN and bank account details to allow them to make SuperStream-compliant superannuation contributions.

Otherwise, an electronic service address can be obtained by registering the fund with a SMSF messaging provider, a register of which is maintained by the Tax Office.

Please contact your Ruddicks adviser if you have any questions regarding the implications of SuperStream measures for your business or for your SMSF or if you require any assistance with the transition to the new process.