Cleaners, couriers and construction industry reminded to lodge their TPAR

Businesses that provide cleaning or courier services, as well as businesses in the building and construction industry have been reminded to lodge a Taxable payments annual report (TPAR) with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) by 28 August.

ATO assistant commissioner Peter Holt said the taxable payment reporting system (TPRS) has been a requirement in the building and construction industry since 2012, and this is the first year that businesses that provide cleaning or courier services may need to lodge.

“Payments made to contractors or subcontractors who have provided cleaning or courier services on behalf of businesses in these industries in the 2018-19 financial year must be reported to the ATO – including cash payments,” Mr Holt said.

Businesses that provide a range of services, not just cleaning or courier services – known as “mixed businesses” – may also need to report if payments they received for cleaning or courier services make up 10 per cent or more of their total GST turnover.

Data provided in the TPAR is used by ATO to identify contractors who may not be doing the right thing with their tax, for example, not reporting income, failing to lodge tax returns or activity statements, not registering for GST, or using false ABNs.

“TPRS prevented $2.7 billion from being lost to the black economy in the 2015-16 financial year, so it’s a very effective way for us to tackle the black economy and keep things fair for businesses who we know are doing the right thing,” Mr Holt said.

As at early August 2019, over 30,000 businesses have already lodged a TPAR for 2018-19 or told the ATO that they’re not required to lodge.

The Black Economy Taskforce estimates that the black economy is costing the community as much as $50 billion, which is approximately 3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).

“TPRS is all about keeping the system fair for these industries,” Mr Holt said.

According to the ATO, reporting TPAR online is quick and simple. Businesses can report online through the ATO’s online services or business software that offers TPAR. Registered tax professionals can also lodge the TPAR on behalf of their clients.

“Get it done on time so you don’t miss the deadline – TPAR is not optional and penalties may apply if you do not lodge by the due date,” Mr Holt said.

TPRS has been extended to road freight, information technology, security, investigation and surveillance services following a recommendation from the Black Economy Taskforce. Reporting for these services will be due by 28 August 2020, covering the 2019-20 financial year.