Single Touch Payroll and Super: What Tradies Need to Check

If you’re a tradie running your own business with a few staff on the books, Single Touch Payroll (STP) and superannuation obligations are two areas that catch people out — usually not because anyone’s trying to cut corners, but because it’s easy to lose track when you’re busy running jobs.

What Single Touch Payroll means for you

STP requires you to report pay, tax, and super information to the ATO every time you run payroll, not just at the end of the year. This means your payroll software — usually Xero or MYOB for most tradies we work with — needs to be set up correctly and finalised properly each pay run.

Super guarantee obligations

Superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions need to be paid on time and calculated correctly, including on top of wages for eligible apprentices and casual staff. Missing a super payment deadline can trigger the super guarantee charge, which is more costly and more complicated to fix than paying on time in the first place.

Common issues we see with tradie payroll

• Super not being calculated on overtime or allowances when it should be
• STP finalisation being missed at the end of the financial year
• Casual and apprentice wages not set up correctly in Xero or MYOB
• Payroll not being reconciled against actual bank payments each week

Keeping on top of it

The easiest way to stay on top of STP and super is to have payroll processed consistently, on time, and reconciled properly every pay run — rather than catching up in a rush at BAS time. This is exactly the kind of ongoing support we provide for tradies across Kellyville and The Hills District.

Get your payroll sorted

If you’re not confident your STP and super are being handled correctly, get in touch for a free chat. We’ll take a look at your current payroll setup in Xero or MYOB and let you know exactly where things stand.

GoBookaroo provides bookkeeping and BAS preparation support. We are not a registered BAS Agent, Tax Agent or accountant unless stated otherwise, and we’re happy to work alongside your existing accountant or BAS Agent.

If you’re a tradie wanting this handled properly, our tradie bookkeeping service is built around how trade businesses actually work. Get in touch for a free chat.