April E New 2026
- 4 days ago
- 15 min read
As we close out April, this edition balances global market strategy with critical EOFY preparations. We analyse why record-high equity valuations remain sensitive to oil-led inflation, while shifting focus to proactive tax planning and the $20,000 instant asset write-off. We also cover essential compliance updates, including optimising your myGov notifications and preparing payroll systems for the 1 July start of Payday Super. With the window for error narrowing, early engagement over the next two months will be the key to securing your financial position.
Global markets are navigating a delicate balance between geopolitical tension and corporate resilience. While the Iran conflict continues to drive headlines, its primary impact is felt through oil prices; markets have shown a willingness to push to record highs—with the S&P 500 recently crossing 7,000—yet they remain fragile and quick to retreat when energy-led inflation risks flare. Between a high-stakes "Big Tech" reporting season in the US and narrowing leadership on the ASX, the investment narrative is shifting from immediate conflict to long-term pressure on central banks and consumers. In this environment, strong earnings are providing a buffer, but demanding valuations mean the window for error is narrowing significantly.
The window to transition from reactive compliance to proactive tax strategy is officially open. With only two months remaining until EOFY, early engagement is the most effective way to optimise your cash flow, manage risk, and secure a more favourable tax position. By reviewing your financial data in April and May, we can implement legitimate strategies—from asset write-offs and superannuation timing to structure reviews—before the June deadline narrows your options. Now is the time to schedule your planning session and ensure your business is positioned to enter the new financial year with clarity and confidence.
With the EOFY approaching, the $20,000 instant asset write-off remains a key tool for small businesses to boost investment and cash flow. Eligible businesses with turnover under $10 million can immediately deduct the cost of assets—new or second-hand—provided they are used or installed ready for use by 30 June 2026. As the $20,000 threshold applies per asset, it offers a significant opportunity to upgrade equipment or technology while reducing immediate tax liability. Given the uncertainty around future extensions, acting now ensures your capital spending is correctly timed and documented to maximise your tax position before the window closes.
Staying across your government correspondence is critical, as the myGov inbox is the primary delivery point for important ATO updates regarding tax returns, superannuation, and payments. To ensure these alerts don't get buried in your email junk folder or missed entirely, we recommend switching to SMS notifications. By updating your "Contact details" within your myGov account settings to include mobile alerts, you’ll receive an immediate prompt whenever a new message is issued. While you will still need to log in securely to view the full details, this simple adjustment ensures you stay informed and can respond to time-sensitive requirements without delay.
With Payday Super officially commencing on 1 July 2026, now is the time to transition your payroll processes to ensure compliance with the new requirement to make contributions each pay cycle. To avoid potential Super Guarantee Charges, all contributions must be received and allocated by your employees' funds within seven business days of payday. We recommend reviewing your cash flow and updating employee super details immediately to prevent processing errors. In this edition, we provide a readiness checklist and resources like the Cash Flow Kit to help you shift from quarterly payments to this new "qualifying earnings" model and ensure your software is fully prepared for the July 1 deadline.
The Northern Rivers holds regular Community Events. See what's on and keep up to date on all the fantastic opportunities and help to support local. There is plenty to do.
A reminder, there are important lodgement dates to note this month.
We are evolving—stay tuned for our upcoming rebrand.
The WD Nicholls Team
As at Tuesday 21 April 2026, the key market message is this: the Iran conflict is still driving headlines, but the real transmission channel into markets remains oil. Equity markets have shown they can look through the conflict when investors see a path to de-escalation, which is why the S&P 500 and Nasdaq pushed to record closes on 15 April and again on 17 April. But when the oil outlook worsens, markets still react quickly, which is what we saw on Monday 20 April when US stocks eased back from those highs as tensions flared again.
In the US, that means the broader market backdrop is still constructive, but more fragile than the headline index levels suggest. The S&P 500 closed above 7,000 on 15 April, the Nasdaq rose 1.59% that day, and by 17 April Wall Street had logged a third straight week of gains as ceasefire optimism and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz improved sentiment. In Australia, the market has held up reasonably well, with the ASX 200 sitting around the 8,950 to 8,980 area in recent sessions, but leadership has been uneven: technology has surged while other sectors, particularly parts of financials and resources, have looked more hesitant.
Oil remains the most important swing factor.
This is where the next phase of the story becomes important. If oil stays elevated for longer, markets will start to worry less about the immediate conflict and more about second-round effects: higher transport and energy costs, pressure on consumers, stickier inflation, and reduced scope for central banks to ease policy. The market has been willing to assume the conflict will stay contained, but that assumption is doing a lot of work. Any renewed disruption to shipping through Hormuz, or any sign that the ceasefire process breaks down more seriously, would likely hit cyclical shares first and keep volatility elevated across bonds, currencies and equities.
Against that backdrop, US reporting season has started well and is giving the market an offsetting source of support. FactSet’s 17 April update said the blended year-on-year earnings growth rate for the S&P 500 is 13.2%, which would mark a sixth straight quarter of double-digit earnings growth, while AP reported that about 90% of the companies that had reported by Monday had beaten analyst expectations. The much more important stretch now begins immediately: Tesla reports after the US close on 22 April, then Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon all report on 29 April US time, with Apple on 30 April. In Australian time, most of those big-tech results will land on the morning of 30 April and 1 May, so the next fortnight will be crucial for market direction.
That matters because tech stocks are still doing most of the heavy lifting. Monday’s trading showed the leadership is still there, but it is no longer a one-way move: Apple rose 1.0% and Nvidia added 0.2%, while Microsoft fell 1.1%, Alphabet dropped 1.3%, Amazon slipped 0.9%, Meta fell 2.6% and Tesla lost 2.0%. Valuation also remains demanding in parts of the sector, with Nvidia on roughly 45.6 times earnings and Tesla on a very high multiple above 280, which means guidance and capital-spending commentary will matter just as much as the headline profit numbers. In other words, the market is still rewarding AI leadership, but expectations are now high enough that “good” results may not always be enough.
On the ASX, bank stocks have become a much more nuanced story. Commonwealth Bank remains the standout, with CBA up 12.48% year to date versus 2.67% for the ASX 200, while Westpac is up 3.72%, NAB 5.25% and ANZ 3.82%. That tells us two things: first, the sector has still benefited from investors’ preference for quality, yield and defensive earnings; second, leadership inside the banks has narrowed considerably, with CBA continuing to command the premium. CommSec has already warned that the major banks reached record highs with valuations looking stretched, and recent trading has shown how vulnerable the sector is to shifts in the rates outlook and credit concerns. On 16 April, stronger Australian jobs data helped push expectations of another RBA hike and all four major banks came under pressure, while on 20 April NAB fell 3.6% after higher bad-debt provisions linked to the conflict unsettled investors
So the investment takeaway is that markets are not treating the Iran conflict as an automatic reason to sell everything. Instead, they are pricing it through a narrower lens: what happens to oil, what happens to inflation, and whether earnings can stay strong enough to absorb the shock. For now, earnings are helping, tech is still leading, and the major indices remain resilient. But the risk list is clear: oil staying higher for longer, a broader slowdown in consumer demand, central banks forced to stay tighter, and an earnings rebound that proves too concentrated in a handful of energy and AI-related names. That combination argues for staying invested, but also for staying selective.
Here are the numbers for April:
With the end of the financial year (EOFY) approaching, now is the critical window to shift from reactive compliance to proactive tax strategy. Leaving tax planning until June often limits your options—early engagement provides materially better outcomes across cash flow, risk management, and overall tax position.
Why timing matters
Engaging in tax planning in April–May allows your Accountants to work with near-complete financial data while there is still time to implement legitimate strategies. This includes reviewing profit forecasts, timing of income and expenses, and ensuring alignment with current legislation.
Key focus areas
Cash flow optimisation: Assess whether deferring income or accelerating deductible expenses is appropriate for your position.
Asset write-offs and capital investment: Confirm eligibility for available concessions and ensure asset purchases are correctly timed and documented.
Payroll and employment obligations: Review payroll-related liabilities and ensure compliance with reporting and payment deadlines.
Superannuation contributions: Ensure contributions are paid and received before 30 June to secure deductions.
Business structures and distributions: Review strategies early to avoid last-minute decisions that may trigger unintended tax consequences.
Risk and governance considerations
The Australian Taxation Office continues to scrutinise areas such as private company loans, trust distributions, and substantiation of deductions. Proactive planning ensures your positions are well-documented and defensible.
Practical next steps
Schedule a tax planning session with your accountant or tax adviser within the next 2–4 weeks.
Prepare up-to-date management accounts and forecasts.
Identify any major transactions (asset purchases, restructures, bonuses) before 30 June.
If you haven’t already booked your tax planning session, now is the time. Waiting until June narrows your options; acting early keeps them open.
With the end of the financial year approaching, the $20,000 instant asset write-off remains one of the most practical tools available to support business investment and cash flow management.
Under current guidance from the Australian Taxation Office, eligible small businesses can immediately deduct the business portion of assets costing less than $20,000, rather than depreciating them over multiple years. This can provide a meaningful short-term tax benefit and improve cash flow where capital investment is planned.
Key points to consider
Available to eligible businesses with aggregated turnover under $10 million using simplified depreciation
The $20,000 threshold applies per asset, allowing multiple purchases to qualify
Applies to assets that are first used or installed ready for use between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026
Both new and second-hand assets may be eligible
Certain improvement costs to existing assets may also qualify if under the threshold
Assets costing $20,000 or more are allocated to the small business pool and depreciated over time
Claims must reflect the business-use portion of the asset
Record-keeping and substantiation are required to support any deductions
This measure can be particularly valuable for businesses investing in equipment, technology, vehicles, or operational upgrades, allowing those costs to be recognised immediately rather than spread across future years.
It is also important to recognise that the instant asset write-off has been subject to frequent legislative changes and temporary extensions. While the current rules apply to this financial year, there is uncertainty around whether the same threshold will continue in future periods.
Businesses considering capital expenditure should ensure that assets are not only purchased, but ready for use before 30 June, and that decisions align with broader operational and financial objectives.
Taking a proactive approach now allows businesses to assess investment opportunities, manage cash flow effectively, and ensure they are operating within the current tax framework.
Important updates from the myGov, including correspondence from the Australian Taxation Office and other linked government services, are delivered directly to your myGov inbox. These messages can relate to tax returns, payments, superannuation, and account activity—and in many cases, they require timely attention.
If your notification settings aren’t configured correctly, you may not be alerted when a new message is issued. While email notifications are commonly used, they can be missed or filtered into junk folders. Setting up mobile (SMS) notifications provides a more immediate and visible alert, helping ensure you stay informed and don’t overlook important correspondence.
It’s also important to note that notifications are simply alerts—a prompt that a message is waiting. You will still need to log in to your secure myGov account to view the full details and take any required action.
How to set up mobile notifications
Sign in to your myGov account via your phone or website www.mygov.com.au
Select My account
Click Account settings
Select Contact details
Go to Notification settings (or “How you get notified”)
Choose SMS notifications
Enter or confirm your mobile number
Verify your number using the code sent to your phone
Save your changes
Taking a few minutes to review and update these settings can help ensure you don’t miss important updates and can respond promptly when action is required.
Paying Super on Payday
Payday Super starts on 1 July 2026. If you’re an employer, Payday Super means you will need to make a super contribution for eligible employees for each payday.
You don’t need to wait until 1 July to get ready – you can start now.
Use this checklist to get ready for Payday Super.
Now: Understand the new requirements
Check the changes. Payday Super starts 1 July. Understand what this means for your business by visiting ato.gov.au/paydaysuper or watching the ATO's Payday Super video on the key changes.
February to March 2026: Plan and prepare
Plan your transition
Set a start date. You need to make a super contribution for eligible employees for each payday from 1 July.
Get advice if you need it. Talk to your tax professional if you’re unsure about the best timing for your business to transition, or how you’ll pay super going forward.
Prepare your business
Review cash flow. Update your business process so that you can pay super with each pay cycle. The ATO's Cash Flow Kit has tools and resources to help you successfully manage cash flow.
Review payroll governance and business processes:
Check you have up-to-date super fund details for all eligible employees. Check this information is correct (such as member account numbers and unique superannuation identifiers) to prevent any errors.
Review and correct error messages you receive from super funds. Any payments you currently make that receive a warning or information message now could be rejected after 1 July 2026, causing a late payment.
April to June 2026: Lock in your plans
Confirm when your software will be ready. Contact your digital service or payroll provider to find out.
If you use a clearing house or super fund portal, check if they are ready and if you need to make any updates.
If you're still using the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH), transition now to an alternative provider – see the SBSCH checklist.
Check payroll governance processes:
Set up a process to quickly correct any errors with your super contributions so the super fund receives the contribution within 7 business days after payday.
Understand the new concept 'qualifying earnings' (QE):
Read about how this applies to calculating your super guarantee (SG) payments at ato.gov.au/QE or on the ATO's factsheet.
Pay your SG for the January to March quarter by 28 April 2026.
You must switch to Payday Super from 1 July.
July 2026: Payday Super starts
Payday Super is now law. Super guarantee charge (SGC) may apply if contributions are not made on time, in full and to the correct fund.
When paying super, you must:
ensure all SG contributions are received by, and can be allocated by, your eligible employees' super funds within 7 business days after payday (unless longer applies)
calculate super from qualifying earnings
report qualifying earnings and super liability in your Single Touch Payroll (STP)-enabled software.
Make your final quarterly payment by 28 July 2026
Remember you won’t be able to use the SBSCH for any payments on or after 1 July 2026.
There is no late payment offset available for this quarter.
Tips and resources
Avoid SGC by paying your eligible employees’ super in full, on time and to the correct fund. For Payday Super, this means contributions need to be received by, and can be allocated by, the super funds within 7 business days after payday (unless longer applies). We recommend you pay super on payday as you need to allow time for payment processing and any corrections to be made.
The Cash Flow Kit can help your business thrive
Use the simple steps, tools and resources to successfully manage your business cash flow.
Build your cash flow skills and knowledge by working through the kit yourself or discuss how to make the most of it with your trusted adviser.
Download the free Cash Flow Kit App
The Cash Flow Kit app is free to download and use. Click the button below for download instructions.
It has everything you need to get your cash flow basics right and is available for Windows and Mac.
We always like to support our locals! Here are some community events happening this month (in date order).
Upcycled Sewing and Craft Sessions dates on Fridays, 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 May | 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Come along to a friendly, no-pressure sewing and craft session at The Re-Market. These sessions are a great chance to fix and mend your favourite pieces, upcycle clothing or fabric finds, and learn simple sewing skills.
No experience is needed, and all ages and abilities are welcome.
Location: The Re-Market, Byron Resource Recovery Centre, 115 The Manse Road, Myocum
Bangalow Farmers Market dates on Saturdays, 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 May | 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM
The Bangalow Farmers Market is held weekly on Saturday mornings and showcases fresh local produce, artisan goods, and seasonal food.
It’s a great way to support local growers and enjoy a relaxed community atmosphere.
Location: Piccabeen Park, Cnr Deacon and Ashton Streets, Bangalow
Brunswick Heads Community Market next date is Saturday, 2 May | 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM
The Brunswick Heads Monthly Community Market is held on the first Saturday of each month. Located in Memorial Park on the riverbank, the market is within easy walking distance of local cafes and shops.
Browse a variety of stalls and enjoy a relaxed morning by the river.
Location: Memorial Park, 11 Fawcett Street, Brunswick Heads
Byron Community Market next date is Sunday, 3 May | 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
The Byron Community Market is held on the first Sunday of each month at the Main Beach Foreshore. This iconic market features local stalls, handmade goods, food, art, and community atmosphere.
Location: Main Beach Foreshore, Bay Street, Byron Bay
2026 Australian Export Awards – Application Workshop is Tuesday, 5 May | 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM
This free online workshop is designed to help businesses understand the Australian Export Awards program and application process.
The session covers award categories, eligibility criteria, the application portal, and tips for preparing a strong submission.
Location: Online
Inside Airbnb: International Evidence on STRs, Housing & Regulation is Friday, 8 May | 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Register for this free event exploring international evidence on short-term rentals, housing impacts, and regulation.
The session includes insights from Inside Airbnb founder Murray Cox and Professor Nicole Gurran, with a panel discussion and community Q&A.
Location: Council Chambers, 70 Station Street, Mullumbimby
2026 Australian Export Awards – Judges’ Tips Workshop is Tuesday, 12 May | 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM
This free online workshop provides practical advice from national judges on what makes a standout Australian Export Awards application.
The session includes an overview of judging criteria and useful tips for businesses preparing a submission.
Location: Online
Mullumbimby Community Market next date is Saturday, 16 May | 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
The Mullumbimby Community Market is held on the third Saturday of each month.
Located on the corner of Stuart and Myocum Streets, this market is a great place to browse local stalls and support the community.
Location: 150 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby
Federal Community Market next date is Sunday, 17 May | 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
The Federal Community Market is held on the third Sunday of each month at the Federal Halls.
This local community market is a great way to connect with locals, browse stalls, and support small makers and community groups.
Location: Federal Halls, 466 Federal Drive, Federal
Sustainable House Day is Sunday, 17 May | From 8:00 AM
Sustainable House Day invites people into real homes to see what sustainability looks like in practice.
Visitors can learn about practical solutions for making homes more comfortable, affordable, efficient, and climate ready.
Grab your tickets on the Sustainable House Day website.
Location: Various locations / tickets required
Council Ordinary Meeting is Thursday, 21 May | 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Byron Shire Council’s Ordinary Meeting takes place at the Council Chambers in Mullumbimby.
Meeting papers and livestream details are available through Council’s Minutes & Agendas page.
Location: Council Chambers, 70 Station Street, Mullumbimby
Furry Friends Festival is Saturday, 30 May | 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
The much-loved Furry Friends Festival is back at the Bangalow Showgrounds. This free community event includes dog shows, trainer talks, live music, food and drink, market stalls, face painting, a photo booth, vet advice and giveaways.
Bring your dogs along on lead and enjoy a fun day out for pets and their owners.
Location: Bangalow Showgrounds, Station Street, Bangalow
Source and credit: Byron.nsw.gov.au/Recreation-Culture/Events-Venues/Whats-On
Key lodgment and payment dates for business
12 May
Activity statements
Quarter 3 (January–March) activity statements lodged electronically – final date for lodgment and payment
refer to the two week lodgment concession for information on your eligibility for this later due date.
15 May
Not-for-profit (NFP) income tax returns
Final date for taxable NFPs to either lodge an income tax return, or submit a non-lodgment advice form.
Taxable NFPs automatically receive this concessionary due date.
21 May
Fringe benefits tax (FBT)
Lodgment due date for your FBT return - for 2021, if you prepare your own return you can lodge by 25 June without incurring late lodgment penalties.
Final date to pay when you prepare your own FBT return.
If your tax agent is preparing your FBT return, different dates may apply.
Activity statements
April monthly activity statements – final date for lodgment and payment.
28 May
Superannuation for quarter 3, 2026
Lodge and pay quarter 3 (1 January – 31 March 2026) Superannuation guarantee charge (SGC) statement if you did not pay your contributions on time for this quarter to avoid additional penalties.
For payments received before 30 June 2026, you can choose to offset quarterly contributions you've paid late to a fund for each employee against the super guarantee charge for quarter 3 or earlier.
The quarterly super guarantee charge is more than the super guarantee contributions you would have otherwise paid to the employee's fund and is not tax deductible.
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