MATTHEWS LAWYERS COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT – Response to requests for more information.

COVID 19 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE INFORMATION AS REQUESTED – 3/10 Gawler Street Mount Barker SA 5251 0401269091

COVID-19 JobKeeper Payment

Enrolling and Applying

The legislation for the Government’s proposed JobKeeper payment has now passed. To receive the payments, businesses need to ensure that they and their employees are eligible.

BUSINESSES

Businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $1billion, have a 30% reduction in turnover to a comparable period last year of at least one month. With the business not being subject to the bank levy.

Businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of more than $1billion, have a 50% reduction in turnover to a comparable period last year of at least one month. With the business not being subject to the bank levy.

The business employed at least one eligible employee on or before 1st March 2020, who is now currently employed (they may have been stood down or re-hired within this period).

EMPLOYEES

Are employed by the business on a permanent basis, eg full-time or part-time.

Casuals who have been employed by the business for at least 12 months prior to 1st March 2020.

At least 16 years of age.

· Are an Australian Resident, or an eligible individual based upon their visa. Please note this includes individuals who are a Permanent Residence Visa Holder, hold an SCV or a visa on the list of temporary protection visas:-

subclass 060 – Bridging visa F

subclass 070 – Bridging (Removal Pending)

subclass 449 – Humanitarian Stay

subclass 785 – Temporary Protection

subclass 786 – Temporary (Humanitarian Concern)

subclass 790 – Safe Haven Enterprise

NOT ELIGIBLE FOR JOBKEEPER PAYMENT

– People who were in receipt of workers compensation,

– People on parental leave or Dad and partner pay

if you believe your business and employees are entitled to receive the Jobkeeper payments please contact your Accountant.

ENROLEMENT AND APPLICATION PROCESS

The process to enrol and apply to receive the JobKeeper Payments is as follows:-

Complete the ATO JobKeeper Employee Nomination Notice for each eligible employee and have the employees sign and return the form to our office. For a copy of the form use this link:

https://www.ato.gov.au/assets/0/104/300/387/d1aab7f2-fbe8-44b8-9ec1-4885ded1088e.pdf

Ensure each eligible employee has been paid either the minimum $1,500 per fortnight (before tax) from 30 March 2020.

The additional superannuation guarantee amount is payable at the discretion of the business.

If an employee’s pay is normally greater than $1,500, ensure their full pay has been paid. Noting that their full Superannuation Guarantee Contribution is payable.

If the payments were not paid in the appropriate fortnight, the ATO will accept the payments if they are made by the end of April 2020.

Ensure the payments are made in the appropriate fortnight going forward.

Once you have notified your Accountant, and he or she has received the Employee Nomination Notices he or she will ‘Enrol’ your business to receive the payment on or after 20th April 2020.

THE JOBKEEPER PAYMENT IS A REIMBURSEMENT. IT IS NOT AN ADVANCE PAYMENT.

We appreciate that the requirement to make the payment to employees fortnightly, prior to receipt of the Jobkeeper payment may incur cash flow restrictions.

As always, for further information please don’t hesitate to contact your Accountant. Alternatively, visit the ATO website via the link below:

https://www.ato.gov.au/General/JobKeeper-Payment/