Update 21 December
As we approach the end of another year, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for the trust you've placed in WD Nicholls Chartered Accountants as your accounting partner. It has been a year of challenges, growth, and success, and we are honoured to have been by your side throughout this journey.
Looking ahead to 2024, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Our commitment to providing personalised, accounting services remains unwavering, and we are eager to help you face new challenges and capitalise on emerging trends.
As the year comes to a close, our team will be taking a short break to recharge and spend time with loved ones. Our office will be closed from 3.00 pm Thursday 21 December and will reopen 8.30 am Monday, 8 January 2024. Our website is always open.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!
The WD Nicholls Team
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Though 2023 has been better than 2022, on the top of my Christmas wish list is for inflation to start falling early in the year which might then begin to bring some interest rate decreases later in 2024!
All the best!
Tony
In lieu of sending Christmas cards, every year we like to support a charity.
This year, we are so pleased to support the Brunswick Valley & District Volunteer Rescue Organisation.
Established in 1977, the Brunswick Valley and District Volunteer Rescue Organisation Inc emerged in response to a significant motor vehicle accident on the highway bridge over the Brunswick River. Functioning as a community-owned and operated road rescue organisation, they proudly hold the accreditation as the Primary Rescue Unit for the Byron Shire. Their guiding principle is encapsulated in their motto: "A helping hand, anywhere, anytime."
Comprising volunteers from diverse backgrounds and skill sets across Byron Shire, the squad is dedicated to delivering a professional rescue service. They uphold rigorous standards, training biweekly to ensure proficiency and meet the high skill requirements set by the NSW State Rescue Board.
Brunswick Valley and District Volunteer Rescue Organisation Inc are always seeking new sponsors and volunteers. If you think you could help, please call:
1300 872 777 or email: brunswickvalley.captain@vrarescue.org.
We are also pleased this year to support the Women's Resource Service located in our hometown Mullumbimby.
The Women's Resource Service (WRS) operates as part of the Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Services Program (ID&FVSP), receiving funding from the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ). Additionally, WRS leads the Byron Shire Integrated Domestic Violence Committee, a collaborative effort involving members from various entities such as NSW Police, Community Corrections, NSW Health, Drug and Alcohol services, family support services, and the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (WDVCAS).
This committee represents a multi-agency approach committed to enhancing outcomes for individuals impacted by domestic violence. It achieves this goal by offering more proactive and comprehensive services to victims and children, coordinating criminal justice responses, and integrating service systems. Furthermore, the committee actively engages in preventive measures through community education initiatives.
As part of its efforts, the committee develops resources, including the publication "Charmed and Dangerous – a woman’s guide to reclaiming a healthy relationship." These resources are accessible through the WRS, either free of charge or via donation, emphasising the commitment to making valuable information and support readily available to the community.
Who is eligible?
Women affected by family and domestic violence who live in the Byron Shire.
Time: Monday – Thursday 9am – 4pm
T: (02) 6684 4299 to make an appointment or for further information or email: admin1@mdnc.org.au
If you would like to offer your support, please visit their website. Link below:
If you’re reporting through Single Touch Payroll (STP) Phase 2 enabled reporting software, you don’t need to send your paper tax file number (TFN) declarations to the ATO. They would have already received this information through your reporting.
However, you must continue to keep your payees’ completed TFN declarations for your records.
Your employees can use the 'New Employment form' to provide their TFN information to you. This is available in ATO Online services. If your employee uses ATO Online services they will give you a printout of their employee tax details summary (TFN declaration). Similar to the paper TFN declaration you don’t need to send this to the ATO, but you must keep a copy for your records.
Further information is available on How to report employment and tax information through STP Phase 2.
Source and credit: ATO.gov.au
This free webinar provides NSW businesses with information and tips to create an effective sales strategy and pipeline.
Did you know that 80% of sales calls and proposals need to be followed up at least 5 times to be successful? And did you know that 44% of sales people give up after one follow-up?
Having the right sales plan and having a solid sales structure is paramount to your success. This workshop will look at how to create an effective sales strategy that sells who you are and what you do. It will also help you create and use a formalised sales structure in the form of a sales pipeline to track leads, proposals and sales. As well as unlocking the measurement matrix to track and monitor your sales performance.
Key takeaways:
• Understanding your sales process.
• Creating a sales structure to match your sale process.
• How to manage your sales pipeline.
If you sell or if you have a sales team, this webinar is for you.
For more information click the link below.
Source and credit: Business.gov.au
We always like to support our locals! Here are some community events happening this month (in date order).
Christmas Cheer in the Bay date is Saturday, 23 December 2023 | 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Free family-friendly Christmas event in Byron Bay CBD!
Come along for a night of Christmas fun and celebration in Byron.
Some cheery locals known as “The Christmas Community Initiative” have been plotting and planning to make this a memorable night for all.
Enjoy an awesome line-up of local performers, carol singers, fun for the kids, and more!!
Save the date and come join the fun!
Location: Byron Visitors Centre, Railway Park, 80 Jonson Street, Byron Bay
Byron Bay Soul Street New Years Eve date is Sunday, 31 December 2023 from 4:00 PM
Soul Street New Year's Eve is back in 2023!
This is a free, family-friendly, community New Year's Eve event in central Byron Bay.
There will be two main areas of entertainment in town:
Jonson Street - live music on the sound stage, street dining and roving performers and children's activities from 4pm to 9pm.
Dening Park - lighting installations and entertainment on the main stage 6pm to 12.30am.
Soul Street is a zero-waste event. BYO cups, plates, cutlery etc.
The Byron Bay town centre is an alcohol-free zone. No alcohol will be allowed on the streets. On-the-spot fines apply.
Traffic and parking changes
Jonson Street will be closed to traffic, as well as some surrounding streets and carparks.
Roads will be closed from 6am on 31 December. This includes:
Main Beach Carpark
Jonson Street between Byron Street and Lawson Street
Lawson Street Carpark
Detours will be in place and the town bypass will be open. All roads will reopen by 8:00 AM on 1 January 2024.
Parking and Taxis
Taxi Rank - Jonson Street near Marvell Street intersection.
Pay Parking - in Byron Bay town centre from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Location: Jonson Street and Dening Park, Dening Park, Byron Bay
Byron Bay Community Market next date is Sunday, 7 January 2024 | 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
The Byron Bay Community Market hosts an eclectic collection of market stalls that showcase what Byron has to offer.
The market is held from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on the 1st Sunday of every month.
Road closures and traffic changes on market day
Jonson Street is closed to traffic at the corner of Byron and Marvel Streets from 5am to 5pm.
Traffic is diverted via Fletcher Street.
The Lawson Street South carpark is closed from 5am to 5pm.
There may be traffic delays are on Lawson Street between the Shirley Street and Jonson Street roundabouts between 6am to 8am and 3pm to 5.30pm.
The railway carpark is open under traffic control via the laneway on Jonson Street.
Traffic controllers will be in place on market day.
Location: Byron Bay CBD, Railway Park, Jonson Street, Byron Bay
If you want to know more about what is going on in your local community, click the link below.
Source and credit: Byron.nsw.gov.au
Our office will be closed for Christmas from;
3.00 pm Thursday 21st December 2023 and
reopening 8.30 am Monday 8th January 2024 (NSW time)
If you wish to arrange a telephone appointment or zoom meeting with one of our team please contact our office either by telephone or email.
Key lodgment and payment dates for business
15 January
TFN report
Quarter 2 (October–December) TFN report for closely held trusts for TFNs quoted to a trustee by beneficiaries – final date for lodgment.
Income tax
Due date for lodgment of income tax returns for companies and trusts that were taxable medium to large taxpayers in the prior year and are not required to lodge earlier.
If you fail to lodge your current return on time your income tax return for the next financial year will be due by 31 October.
21 January
Activity statements
December monthly activity statements – final date for lodgment and payment.
Quarter 2 (October–December) PAYG instalment activity statement for head companies of consolidated groups – final date for lodgment and payment.
28 January
Superannuation
Due date for super guarantee (SG) contributions, for quarter 2, (October–December).
Quarter 2 SG contributions are to be received by the superfund by this date – you need to allow sufficient time for SG payments to reach and be processed by your superfund, especially if using a SG clearing house.
If you don't pay the SG contributions for quarter 2 in full and by this date, you must pay the super guarantee charge (SGC) and lodge a SGC statement with us by 28 February.