JobKeeper Scheme

Here’s an update with the most current information for the JobKeeper Scheme as of 17 April 2020. The ATO has released the following operational guidelines.

We are here to help you

We want to ease the stress and burden.  Let us make it easy for you. We’re here to help you understand and navigate what’s needed over the coming weeks.

Here is what we currently know and for all these steps and can provide you with authorities to enrol you in the system, and templates to help you meet all your eligibility  and record keeping requirements. This will help you demonstrate your business eligibility.

Timeline

Employers will be able to enrol in JobKeeper from 20 April 2020. There will be an Online form on the ATO website which must be lodged by end of April

Then after the 4th May the employer will notify the ATO of the eligible employees via Single Touch Payroll.

There will be an alternative system available from 20 April.

Decline in Turnover

Each individual entity has to test if their turnover did decline.  If it has, you can then apply either the 30% or 50% test (that was determined by the Group Aggregated Turnover).

Aggregated turnover of all entities that are connected or affiliated with you is used to determine if the decline in turnover for the group meets the thresholds (30% or 50%).

NFPs registered with ACNC are only 15%.

Comparing Turnover:  Compare one of

• GST turnover for March 2020 with March 2019
• Projected GST turnover for April 2020 with April 2019
• Projected GST turnover for quarter starting April 2020 with same quarter in 2019
• Other

There are OTHER alternatives – ask us how you might fit.

Eligible Employees

You can claim for employees who

• Were first employed by you before 1 March 2020

You cannot claim for employees who

• Left your employment before 1 March 2020
• Have been, or have agreed to be, nominated by another employer

Remember:  Employee can only receive JK payments or support through ONE employer. And the employee must agree to be nominated by you.

After you have worked out you and your employees are eligible

If you meet the eligibility criteria and want to start claiming the JobKeeper payment on behalf of your employees, you need to start paying them at least $1,500 per fortnight (before tax) and continue to pay them for as long as you keep claiming.

How much to Pay

An employer will usually get $3,000 a month per eligible employee for the two fortnightly periods in that month.

Example of amounts paid to employers

When do I have to pay?

For the first two fortnights (30 March – 12 April, 13 April – 26 April), the ATO will accept the minimum $1,500 payment for each fortnight has been paid by you even if it has been paid late, provided it is paid by you by the end of April. This means that you can make two fortnightly payments of at least $1,500 per fortnight before the end of April, or a combined payment of at least $3,000 before the end of April.

You cannot claim the JobKeeper payment on behalf of employees who were not paid at least $1,500 before tax during each JobKeeper payment period.

You cannot claim the JobKeeper payment in advance. The JobKeeper payment is a reimbursement from us to an employer in arrears and cannot be paid in advance in any circumstances.

Employees who were stood down or on long term leave

Employees who have been stood down from work under the Fair Work Act without pay may still be eligible employees as long as they were in your employment and met the eligibility criteria on 1 March 2020.

You will need to have paid them at least the minimum amount of $1,500 for each fortnight you claim in order to receive the JobKeeper payment.

Employees who have been terminated

If you terminated an employee after 1 March 2020, you can re-engage them, and they will be eligible if they met the eligibility criteria on 1 March 2020.

If you want to claim the JobKeeper payment for employees you have re-engaged, you will need to:

• confirm they want to be re-hired and participate in the JobKeeper scheme with you
• re-engage the employees you want to claim for
• start paying them a minimum of $1,500 (before tax) for each fortnight they are employed, and you claim for.

You will only be paid a JobKeeper payment for employees from the fortnight they were re-engaged. You cannot claim retrospectively for employees you re-engage.

You as an Employee or Business Participant for JobKeeper

If you are an employee of your business, then you will follow all the guidance as an employee and complete all paperwork necessary for eligibility and continue to pay yourself at least the $1500 (before tax) per fortnight.

If you are a self-employed, sole trader, partner in a partnership or trustee in a trust then it is not necessary that you pay yourself $1500 per fortnight.

The ATO will provide the instructions on how you will nominate the individual to receive JobKeeper and how to provide bank details for the payment, we understand on 20 April.

We can help you with all steps and processes involved in the JobKeeper scheme which includes the setup in your payroll system and the respective reporting to the ATO. We will also be in communication with you and your accountant where necessary, to ensure a consistent and appropriate interactions and provision of service.

Kieran May
Certified Business Advisor
Professional Certified Bookkeeper
Registered BAS agent 26135003

Tel: 1300 268257