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 […]
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 […]
No SG obligation on JobKeeper payments where work is not performed
Regulations confirm no SG obligation on JobKeeper payments where work is not performed The federal government has registered the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Amendment (JobKeeper) Payment Regulations 2020. These regulations ensure that amounts of salary or wages that do not relate to the performance of work and are only paid to an employee to satisfy the […]
1.75% increase to minimum wages
The Fair Work Commission has announced a 1.75% increase to minimum wages This will apply to all award wages. Increases to awards will start on 3 different dates for different groups of awards. See When will my award increase for information on when the awards will increase. Most employees are covered by an award. If you’re not […]
Guidance on JobKeeper reporting via STP
The ATO has issued guidance to help employers reporting eligible employees and JobKeeper top-up payments through Single Touch Payroll (STP). For each eligible employee, employers must notify the ATO: when an eligible employee started being paid JobKeeper payments; top-up payments to employees earning less than $1500 per fortnight; and when an employee is no longer […]
ATO reminder for employers – Finalise STP data for 2020
Single Touch Payroll 2020 data The ATO has issued a reminder to employers who report through Single Touch Payroll (STP) – which should be all employers, unless an exemption or deferral applies – that they will need to finalise payroll information for the 2020 income year by making a declaration. The due date for making […]
Shortcut method to claim deductions if working from home
As the situation around COVID-19 continues to develop, the ATO understands many employees are now working from home To make it easier when claiming a deduction for additional running costs you incur as a result of working from home, special arrangements have been announced. A simplified method has been introduced that allows you to claim […]
COVID-19 Government’s JobKeeper Payment
A major part of the Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is the JobKeeper payment scheme The JobKeeper Payment is a wage subsidy that will be paid through the tax system and administered by the ATO to eligible businesses impacted by COVID-19. Under the scheme, eligible businesses receive a payment of $1,500 per fortnight per […]
Extension of time to enrol for the JobKeeper scheme
JobKeeper Payment The Tax Commissioner has extended the time to enrol for the initial JobKeeper periods, from 30 April 2020 until 31 May 2020. If you enrol by 31 May you will still be able to claim for the fortnights in April and May, provided you meet all the eligibility requirements for each of those fortnights. This includes […]
Deductibility of work-related expenses
Employer’s requirements and the deductibility of WREs Some employees may wonder whether a work-related expense (WRE) becomes deductible merely because their employer specifically requires the employee to incur the expense. Importantly, the ATO’s recent draft ruling on the deductibility of work-related expenses reiterates that an employer’s requirements do not determine the question of deductibility. Specifically, […]
