Expanded eligible employee definition for JobKeeper
JobKeeper Eligibility Changes Additional recently implemented JobKeeper changes mean more employees qualify for JobKeeper payments from 3 August 2020. This is primarily because: the eligible employee test has been extended from 3 August 2020 to include eligible employees who were employed on 1 July 2020 (in addition to the original 1 March 2020 employment date) […]
From the desk of Justin Flavel, Spring 2020
The business market is extremely odd; some industries definitely need the extended JobKeeper payment whilst others are having record months. It has been a challenging period for all over the last 6 months and we believe it is going to be an unstable environment for many months still to come. If your business has not […]
JobKeeper audits underway
First reports of ATO audits lands one small business in debt Imagine going through all the rigmarole to apply for JobKeeper when COVID-19 restrictions were rife, only to have your application rejected months later by Tax Office auditors? That is what has now happened to one small business owner in Melbourne who took a DIY […]
80c per hour ‘shortcut’ method for home office expenses extended
Work-related expenses Back in April 2020 the ATO announced that a ‘shortcut’ method was to be made available to use from 1 March 2020 until 30 June 2020 for individuals claiming home office expenses due to COVID-19. The ATO recently announced an extension of this shortcut method to also include 1 July 2020 to 30 […]
JobKeeper 3.0
JobKeeper extension On 21 July 2020, the Government announced that the JobKeeper Payment (‘JKP’) would be extended until 28 March 2021 (i.e., for a further six months beyond its original end date of 27 September 2020). As a result, JKPs would now be made over two separate extension periods, being: Extension period 1 – which […]
Covid-19 and Division 7A relief
The ATO has announced some limited relief for private companies that have loans to their shareholders or related parties that are governed by what are referred to as “complying loan agreements”. A complying loan agreement is entered into to avoid triggering an assessable deemed dividend that could potentially be equal to the amount of the […]
JobTrainer skills package announced
COVID-19 business recovery The Australian Government will invest $2 billion to give hundreds of thousands of Australians access to new skills by retraining and upskilling them into sectors with job opportunities, as the economy recovers from COVID-19. In partnership with the states and territories, more Australians will have access to free, or low cost, training […]
Extension of the JobKeeper Payment
The Government is extending the JobKeeper Payment by a further 6 months to March 2021 Support will be targeted to businesses and not-for-profits that continue to be significantly impacted by the Coronavirus. The payment rate will be reduced and a lower payment rate will be introduced for those who work fewer hours. Other eligibility rules […]
OMNIBUSiness Tax Planning Edition
May’s Federal Budget has been postponed but it’s still tax time. We hope that you’re well and starting to develop strategies for your business to emerge from the COVID-19 coronavirus lockdowns reinvigorated! Many of our clients have availed themselves of the opportunity of asking us to perform a wider range of duties over recent months […]
HomeBuilder
Economic Response to the Coronavirus HomeBuilder provides eligible owner-occupiers (including first home buyers) with a grant of $25,000 to build a new home or substantially renovate an existing home. HomeBuilder will assist the residential construction market by encouraging the commencement of new home builds and renovations. You will be able to apply for HomeBuilder when […]
