Employers granted one-off super amnesty

Employers who have underpaid their staff superannuation have been granted a one-off amnesty to make things right, but that doesn’t mean they’re completely ‘off the hook’.

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Recovering Unpaid Superannuation) Bill 2019, which just passed federal parliament, encourages employers to come forward and pay any unpaid superannuation in full.

Small Business Ombudsman Kate Carnell says while most small businesses do the right thing in this area, with 95% already complying, the amnesty will give them a further six months to ensure they’re compliant.

“This is a one-off amnesty that gives small business an opportunity to get up to date with outstanding payments to current and past employees, without being slugged with the harsh penalties that usually apply,” explains Ms Carnell.

‘Not off the hook’

The federal government says the amnesty doesn’t mean employers are off the hook.

Employers must still pay all that is owing to their employees, at a high penalty rate of interest. However, the amnesty will not hit employers with the large lump-sum penalties usually associated with late payment.

Those lump sum penalties generally include a minimum 100% penalty on top of the super guarantee shortfall owed, and up to 200% for the most serious cases.

“We estimate … 7,000 employers will come forward in the next six months before the amnesty ends,” says Assistant Minister for Superannuation Jane Hume.

A clean slate

The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) chief executive officer Andrew Conway says the one-off amnesty allows employers to clean the slate.

“We acknowledge that small businesses can sometimes experience cash flow issues, making them vulnerable when it comes to meeting their super guarantee obligations by the required due date. This amnesty gives them time to atone,” says Mr Conway.

Need a hand?

If you think your business might have made a mistake and underpaid staff super, but you’re worried about the cash flow issues raised by Mr Conway, get in touch.

We can help you apply for business finance that’ll help support both your employees’ future and your business’s cash flow.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

How long does it take to find and secure your dream home?

, ,

It takes most first home buyers longer than a full working week to house hunt and apply for finance for their ‘dream’ property, according to new research.

The 2020 St George Home Buying Survey found that it takes first-home buyers an average of 44 hours to research properties, hone in on one they like, and begin the home-buying process – including applying for a mortgage.

Why does it take that long?

Eight in ten people surveyed said they found the application process for a home loan time consuming and inconvenient.

What are they finding difficult about it? Well, more than half said they were ‘pained’ by the overall amount of information they need to process.

The other main hurdles facing home buyers included:

– Understanding what was involved (73% of people surveyed)
– Learning about the housing market (71%)
– Working out their financials (64%).

How we can help cut down that time

We go through this on a daily basis so we can help make the process a whole lot less time consuming, confusing and inconvenient for you.

We can help you understand what’s involved and help you work out your financial hurdles.

Don’t forget government assistance

On a related note, it’s worth noting that the federal government’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, which started on January 1, still has most of its 5,000 non-major lender scheme places available.

The scheme can allow first home buyers to purchase a property with a deposit of 5% without having to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

To find out more, get in touch. We’re more than happy to run you through the scheme and how it may help you crack into the property market sooner.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Downsizers tipped to be a ‘powerful force’ in 2020

Downsizers are tipped to take advantage of ‘the perfect storm’ and get the most out of the property market this year, predicts the national body representing professional buyers’ agents.

With softer lending conditions and strong property prices tipped for 2020, cashed-up downsizers looking to sell the family home and move into apartments or regional areas are in the box seat, says Real Estate Buyers Agents Association (REBAA) president Cate Bakos.

“With the potential for further low interests, softer lending conditions and low stock levels, it could be ‘the perfect storm’ for downsizers this year,” says Ms Bakos.

“The sorts of challenges that most buyers face – including valuations and gaining finance approval – is obviously not a concern for a buyer who is not impacted by a shortfall.”

A ‘formidable force’

Ms Bakos adds that low loan-to-value ratios, or even cash purchases, will eradicate any concerns about valuation dilemmas and make downsizers a formidable opposition at any auction.

“There is no doubt that wealthy older buyers – downsizers, baby boomers, empty nesters, retirees – will be a powerful force in the property market in 2020 and one that won’t be going away soon,” she says.

Downsizing doesn’t necessarily mean smaller

Interested in the idea of downsizing? You’re not alone.

In fact, more than half of Australians over the age of 55 are open to downsizing, according to another recent report by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI).

According to the report downsizers are mobile, with nearly half moving to new neighbourhoods; the main reasons for downsizing were lifestyle, financial considerations and reduced maintenance.

“While downsizing may include a reduction in dwelling size, to older Australians it points to a housing aspiration where the internal and outdoor spaces are manageable, and represents a financial benefit,” explains lead report author Dr Amity James.

In fact, most downsizers move into a dwelling with three or more bedrooms, the report shows.

“Most downsizers still want space and regard spare bedrooms as necessary in a dwelling,” Dr James adds.

Get in touch

If you’re interested in downsizing to improve your lifestyle and reduce home maintenance then feel free to get in touch.

We’d be more than happy to chat with you about all things finance for that new home you’ve got your eye on.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Smaller lenders taking applications for home loan deposit scheme

,

Non-major lenders have started offering another 5,000 slots for the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, which allows first home buyers to purchase a property with a deposit of 5% without having to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

The scheme, which is overseen by the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC), kicked-off on 1 January but only 5,000 spots were initially available through two major banks – NAB and CBA.

NHFIC CEO Nathan Dal Bon says the additional 25 lenders are located around the country and will provide first home buyers with a range of choices.

“More places are now available to help first home buyers purchase a modest home sooner,” Mr Dal Bon adds.

The 25 other lenders

The NHFIC says the 25 non-major participating lenders below are supporting the scheme by committing to not charging eligible customers higher interest rates than equivalent customers outside of the scheme.

Australian Military Bank

Auswide Bank

Bank Australia

Bank First

Bank of us

Bendigo Bank

Beyond Bank Australia

Community First Credit Union

CUA

Defence Bank

Gateway Bank

G&C Mutual Bank

Indigenous Business Australia

Mortgageport

MyState Bank

People’s Choice Credit Union

Police Bank (including the Border Bank and Bank of Heritage Isle)

P&N Bank

QBANK

Queensland Country Credit Union

Regional Australia Bank

Sydney Mutual Bank and Endeavour Mutual Bank (divisions of Australian Mutual Bank Ltd)

Teachers Mutual Bank Limited (including Firefighters Mutual Bank, Health Professionals Bank, Teachers Mutual Bank and UniBank)

The Mutual Bank

WAW Credit Union

Details on eligibility can be found on the scheme’s website here. You can also check out the property price caps here.

Want to find out more?

If you want to apply for this new scheme then it’s best to give us a call sooner rather than later, as the major banks have already registered more than 3,000 potential first home buyers for the 10,000 spots up for grabs this financial year.

We’d be more than happy to run you through the scheme in more detail and, if you’re eligible, help you apply through a participating lender.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.

Credit scores set for Valentine’s Day boost

, ,

Tens of thousands of Aussies have an extra reason to love Valentine’s Day this year, with their credit scores set to jump after civil court filings disappear from their credit file.

According to consumer and financial law firm MyCRA Lawyers, the change will allow some people to get credit where previously they were rejected, or simply negotiate lower interest rates.

MyCRA Lawyers CEO Graham Doessel says for years borrowers have had their bank funding cut off or rejected because of trivial and vexatious civil court actions that judged them guilty until proven innocent.

“Now only judgments can be recorded on someone’s credit file and those judgments must relate to ‘credit’ to impact someone’s credit rating,” Mr Doessel says.

The end of weaponised civil court actions

Mr Doessel says the change will hopefully end civil court actions by ex-business partners, disgruntled employees and jilted lovers, who use civil courts as a weapon to cripple someone’s credit.

“We’ve had a client with a business employing 120 staff almost sent to the wall because of a trivial dispute with their pool repairman over $3000 that never even went to court,” explains Mr Doessel.

“Other common weaponised civil disputes are ex-business partners suing simply to dry up funding, or even spurned partners who are out to get their ex-lover’s business.

“It’s a victory for common sense.”

Credit reporters to look for loopholes

There’s just one catch, says Mr Doessel. Credit reporting bodies have traditionally reported this information and will still want to where they can, he adds.

“Credit reporting bodies will be reading this legislation as narrowly as possible. In our discussions with one body they are already interpreting the changes differently to us and believe this change only applies to consumer files, not commercial files,” explains Mr Doessel.

This means those with the most to lose, namely small business proprietors, potentially remain in the same predicament, says Mr Doessel.

“If this is the case – and we won’t know until after February 14 when the changes come into effect – then it renders the new laws almost useless because those most affected are small business people,” Mr Doessel said.

Final word

The new requirements come into effect on Valentine’s Day and will be retrospective, so people with a civil court default on their file that isn’t the result of a judgment and isn’t credit-related will have them removed.

If you believe these changes might impact you, then get in touch. We’d love to talk to about your options moving forward.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.