Tax Compliance Review Checklist for Local Government
A checklist for reviewing and maintaining compliance with all Australian tax obligations including GST, PAYG, income tax, and fringe benefits tax.
Supports Local Government Act compliance, freedom of information requirements, and public accountability standards.
Complete Checklist
- 1Verify that all BAS lodgements are up to date and filed by the due dateCritical
- 2Reconcile GST collected and paid against accounting recordsCritical
- 3Confirm PAYG withholding has been calculated and reported correctlyCritical
- 4Review PAYG instalments and assess whether the current rate is still appropriate
- 5Check that all taxable supplies and input tax credits are correctly classified
- 6Review any fringe benefits provided and assess FBT obligations
- 7Confirm superannuation guarantee payments are made by the quarterly due dates
- 8Verify that Single Touch Payroll reporting is current and accurateCritical
- 9Review any state or territory taxes such as payroll tax and confirm compliance
- 10Check that all council income has been correctly reported
- 11Review deductible expenses and ensure they are correctly categorised
- 12Assess the need for any voluntary disclosures to the ATO
- 13Review the tax instalment schedule for the remainder of the financial year
- 14Ensure all tax records and supporting documents are filed and accessibleCritical
- 15Schedule a review with the accountant or tax advisor for the upcoming lodgements
Frequently Asked Questions
How should we prepare for an ATO audit or review?
Maintain organised, complete, and accurate records for all transactions. Reconcile regularly and address discrepancies promptly. Keep all source documents including invoices, receipts, contracts, and bank statements for at least five years. If contacted by the ATO, respond promptly and honestly. Engage your tax advisor early in the process and do not provide information without understanding the context of the request.
What are the key tax lodgement deadlines for Australian businesses?
Key deadlines include quarterly BAS lodgement, typically 28 days after the end of each quarter. Monthly BAS is due on the 21st of the following month. Annual income tax returns are due by 31 October for self-lodgers or by the extended deadline if using a registered tax agent. Superannuation must be paid by the 28th day after the end of each quarter. FBT returns are due on 21 May each year.
What penalties apply for late or incorrect tax lodgements?
The ATO can impose failure-to-lodge penalties starting from $313 per 28-day period for small entities, general interest charges on late payments, and penalties for false or misleading statements ranging from 25 to 75 percent of the shortfall amount. The ATO may also apply director penalty notices that make directors personally liable for unpaid PAYG and superannuation. Voluntary disclosure before ATO detection can reduce penalties.
Need help implementing these checks into your daily operations?
Our team can build custom checklists integrated into your daily operations workflow.