In August 2020, the government introduced changes to JobKeeper payments.
These changes mean that some employees who weren't previously eligible may now qualify. In addition, changes have been made to the eligibility criteria and JobKeeper payment amounts with effect from 28th September 2020.
Let’s take a look.
Changes to employee eligibility
If you have staff who missed out on being included in JobKeeper due to their start date being after 1st March 2020 they may now be eligible.
In addition to employees you've already got on JobKeeper, the following employees are now eligible for nomination:
Full-time and part time employees hired between 1st March and 1st July 2020
Long-term casuals employed from 1st March to 1st July 2019
Employers have until 31st August (that's Monday) to enrol employees who meet the new conditions for:
Fortnight 10 – commencing 3rd August
Fortnight 11 – commencing 17th August
Fortnight 12 – commencing 31st August
Newly eligible staff MUST complete an authority declaration and return it to you. You also need to update your payroll software to identify the new employees.
If you are in doubt please give us a call.
Extension to JobKeeper
You may have heard that JobKeeper has been extended. However, your business won't be automatically eligible. There is a new eligibility test that must be met.
Eligibility from 28 September onwards is dependent on a 30% decline in turnover compared to the same quarter last year. It will be based on ACTUAL figures. If you want the JobKeeper extension you must be able to prove this.
JobKeeper - new rates
From 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021, the JobKeeper Payment rates will be:
$1,200 per fortnight for staff who worked 20+hrs per week in February 2020
$750 per fortnight for staff who work less than 20 hrs per week in February 2020
From 4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021, the JobKeeper Payment rates will be:
$1,000 per fortnight for staff who worked 20+hrs per week in February 2020
$650 per fortnight for staff who worked less than 20 hrs per week in February 2020
If you need help, or further information about how the changes to JobKeeper affect your business, please contact Kate on 0466 376 386 or email our Tax Manager, Holly
Help with JobKeeper submisions from 28 September
We can continue to support you with JobKeeper documentation and submission to the ATO.
Please be aware that the ATO is closely monitoring JobKeeper claims. They have already commenced reviews of businesses.
This means it's vitally important to have verifiable documentation to support your claims.