TITLE: Key Australian Tax and Super Deadlines: 28 August 2026 Compliance Update
Thursday 27 August 2026 brings two urgent Australian compliance deadlines, a final opportunity to comment on proposed Dynamic PAYG instalment guidance, and significant proposed reforms for self-managed superannuation funds.
This update is relevant to businesses and trustees across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra. It also matters to international sellers with Australian entities, including digital businesses, ecommerce brands and growing SMEs trading across the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and Europe.
Complete these two urgent deadlines by Friday
You have until Friday 28 August 2026 to complete the following obligations where they apply.
1. Lodge your 2025–26 TPAR electronically
The 2025–26 Taxable Payments Annual Report (TPAR) is due by 28 August 2026.
The report covers relevant contractor payments made between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. The ATO no longer accepts paper TPAR lodgments, so you must lodge electronically through an approved channel, such as ATO online services or SBR-enabled accounting software.
If you do not need to lodge a TPAR for the year, submit a non-lodgment advice by the same date where applicable. This helps prevent unnecessary ATO follow-up.
Use the ATO TPAR lodgment guidance to confirm your reporting position.
2. Lodge and pay Q4 SGC where required
The quarter 4 2025–26 Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC) statement and payment are also due by 28 August 2026 if employee superannuation was not paid in full and on time.
Check your payroll records now. Confirm:
- Superannuation contributions were calculated correctly.
- Payments reached the employees’ funds by the required date.
- Any shortfall or late payment has been identified.
- The SGC statement is ready if a shortfall exists.
- The full SGC amount can be paid by the deadline.
Do not treat this as an ordinary payroll reconciliation. Late super can create additional administrative and cash-flow pressure.
Review Dynamic PAYG instalment changes before consultation closes
The ATO is preparing to introduce Dynamic PAYG instalments from 1 July 2027.
Under the proposed system, eligible small and medium businesses will be able to opt in to reporting and paying PAYG instalments monthly. The calculation will use an ATO-approved method embedded in accounting software.
This approach is intended to align instalment payments more closely with current business performance. That may help businesses manage cash flow when profits change during the year.
The opportunity is particularly relevant to:
- Subscription-based digital businesses.
- Agencies with uneven monthly revenue.
- Ecommerce sellers with seasonal sales.
- Growing companies managing international transactions.
- Businesses experiencing rapid changes in expenses or profitability.
Understand draft PCG 2026/D3
The ATO has published draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2026/D3. It explains the ATO’s proposed compliance approach to the general interest charge (GIC) on excessive PAYG instalment variations.
The draft states that the ATO will not allocate compliance resources to apply or collect GIC where a taxpayer:
- Uses the Dynamic PAYG calculation method as intended.
- Takes reasonable care with the data and values entered.
- Maintains reliable accounting records.
- Avoids actions or omissions that compromise the accuracy or completeness of the inputs.
This is not a blanket exemption. Your bookkeeping data still needs to be complete and credible. Incorrect sales figures, missing expenses or poorly reconciled bank accounts can undermine the calculation.
Submit comments by 28 August
Comments on PCG 2026/D3 close on 28 August 2026.
If your business, accounting software provider or professional body has concerns about how the proposed method will work in practice, submit feedback before the consultation closes. The ATO consultation material provides the relevant details.
The proposed framework is discussed in the PwC Australia August 2026 Monthly Tax Update.
Prepare for proposed SMSF safeguards
Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino announced a proposed SMSF reform package following the collapses of Shield and First Guardian. The proposals are designed to reduce the risk of scams, financial abuse, misconduct and poor consumer outcomes.
They are not law yet. Legislation must still be developed and passed. Existing SMSF requirements continue to apply unless and until the proposals become law.
What the proposals could change
The package could introduce the following requirements and powers:
- The ATO could stop rollovers into a new SMSF where there is a well-founded suspicion of consumer harm or scam activity.
- New SMSF trustees may need to satisfy basic knowledge or education requirements before operating a fund.
- SMSFs may need a uniquely identifiable bank account.
- A written investment strategy may need to be in place before a new fund accepts rollovers.
- Newly established SMSFs may need to disclose whether a financial adviser assisted with establishment.
- New disclosure requirements may include the fees charged for establishment or ongoing advice.
- Annual supervisory costs may increase from $253 to $295.
- SMSFs may contribute to the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR), with the estimated cost expected to be less than $20 per fund per leviable period for most funds.
The Treasury fact sheet outlines the proposed consumer protection measures. Further reporting was published by Accountants Daily.
Strengthen governance now
You do not need to wait for legislation to improve your SMSF controls.
Use this checklist:
- Keep a current written investment strategy.
- Reconcile the fund bank account regularly.
- Verify rollover instructions independently.
- Be cautious of unsolicited investment approaches.
- Confirm adviser identities and fee arrangements.
- Keep trustee decisions and supporting documents.
- Investigate unusual payment requests before transferring funds.
- Store fund records securely and restrict account access.
These steps support stronger governance today. They may also make future compliance changes easier to implement.
Check GST registration if you operate a religious institution
The ATO issued updated guidance on 24 August 2026 clarifying GST registration for religious institutions.
A not-for-profit religious institution must consider the updated guidance carefully. The clarification affects how these entities determine their GST registration obligations and whether they need to be registered for goods and services tax.
If your institution receives donations, government funding or other forms of income, you should review your current GST status against the new guidance. The ATO has indicated that the updated rules aim to provide greater certainty for religious institutions about when GST registration is required.
Seek professional advice if you are uncertain whether the updated guidance changes your existing GST registration position. This is particularly important if your institution has multiple branches or operates across state borders.
