Budget delivers some high notes for SMEs: Further investment needed for Australia’s innovation future

●       2018-19 Federal Budget delivers optimistic budget with top priorities confirmed for SMEs

●        Extension of $20k Instant Tax Write-Off welcomed by business

MYOB, a leading provider of business management solutions in Australia, has praised the 2018 Budget for the delivery of key priorities for Australian businesses including the extension of the popular $20k Instant Tax Write-Off.

Speaking about the budget as a whole, MYOB CEO Tim Reed said it was great to see positive outcomes for SMEs delivered against a backdrop of balanced financial management.

“We know that small businesses are forced to manage and balance their budgets and we believe that the government should too.

 “This budget marks another important step towards fiscal repair. We are pleased to see the budget deficit reducing more quickly than we thought.

“In their summation, the measures introduced in the Budget will encourage more people to start a business and for those in businesses to invest and to increase employment.

“The Government’s decision to extend the $20K instant asset tax write-off is welcome news for SMEs. Our research prior to the Budget revealed that 7 in 10 small business owners called for this to be extended or made permanent.

“It encourages business growth and is exactly the type of measure that delivers confidence to the business community.

“We’re also thrilled that the Government has stood by the Enterprise Tax plan. Australia is a great place to do business and creating a competitive tax plan will encourage business investment, and ultimately drive benefits to Australian employees through the creation of new and higher paying jobs. Our research found that 52% of SMEs sought a lowering the company tax rate and we commend the Government for pursuing this plan,” said MYOB CEO Tim Reed.

Positioning Australia for a highly skilled workforce

“Tonight’s announcement of a further $250 million for the Skilling Australians Fund to deliver businesses with the people and skills they need to grow their businesses is a welcome initiative.

“We know that businesses are facing a real shortage in skills and this has played out in MYOB’s recent report Transforming the mid-market. In our survey of medium and large businesses we found the skills shortage is particularly severe for the construction/trade industry, with close to two thirds (61%) identifying it as a significant issue.

“The skills shortage is also hitting large enterprises hard. Almost half (43%) of the sector’s largest businesses (those which employ more than 50 people) said their greatest business pressure was the ability to find qualified staff.

“Any additional support the government can provide businesses will help to secure Australia’s future as an important player in the global economy.” Tim Reed said.

R&D tax incentives a handbrake on innovation

MYOB CEO Tim Reed expressed disappointment around Budget measures that limit the R&D tax incentive. 

"If we have one issue with this budget it is that we are concerned that the Government’s decision to cap the R&D tax incentive will cap creativity and innovation, discouraging investment and growth in the critical startup ecosystem, and for small businesses more broadly."

“While it’s important to ensure investment is channeled correctly, we know that Australian businesses spend less than 2% of GDP on R&D and this is not enough to drive an innovative and globally competitive future.  It seems odd to limit this measure when there is wide agreement that we need to lift business investment.”

Cash is dying: cash payments above $10K gone

The Government’s move to end large cash payments to businesses for goods and services is the latest move to crack down on the black economy.

MYOB CEO Tim Reed said: “We have long argued in support of a shift to a cashless society. This move would eliminate the black economy, meaning tax revenues to the Government would increase and all businesses would be placed on a level playing field.

“We encourage the Government to consider the positive impacts a cashless economy would have on business of all sizes and the economy more broadly.”

SME take outs: moving to a digital future

MYOB CEO Tim Reed said: “What is clear is that the future for SMEs is online. The Government’s focus on digital initiatives, including integrated online systems to enable digital reporting, mean that it’s more important than ever for Australian businesses to be using an online software provider.”

“While not mentioned in tonight’s budget, SMEs also need to be aware one of the biggest impacts of the new financial year flows from last year’s Federal Budget, including Single Touch Payroll (STP), which becomes mandatory for businesses with 20 or more employees on 1 July this year and for businesses under 20 employees from 1 July 2019.

“This new legislated reporting change requires employers to report salaries and wages, PAYG withholding and super information electronically through the ATO every pay run, not just once a year. 

“SMEs need to be across this key change. MYOB has been working closely with the ATO on this initiative and I’m pleased to say that MYOB’s payroll software will be compliant prior to the reporting date and deliver an easy-to-use solution to make this transition as smooth as possible.”

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For further comment or other information please contact:

Amy Kirkwood, MYOB

M: 0427 822 088 / E: Amy.Kirkwood@myob.com

Kate Dinon, Character

M: 0487 328 738 / E: kate@ofcharacter.com.au

About MYOB

MYOB Group Ltd (ASX: MYO) is a leading provider of online business management solutions. It makes business life easier for approximately 1.2 million businesses and accountants across Australia and New Zealand by simplifying accounting, payroll, tax, practice management, CRM, job costing, inventory and more. MYOB operates across three core segments – Clients and Partners (business solutions to SMEs and Advisers); Enterprise Solutions (larger businesses) and Payment Solutions. It provides ongoing support through client service channels including a network of over 40,000 accountants, bookkeepers and other consultants. It is committed to ongoing innovation, particularly through its Connected Practice Strategy and through the development of the MYOB Platform. For more information, visit http://investors.myob.com.au/Investors or follow @MYOB on Twitter