The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) have outlined key dates employers must be aware of to stay eligible for JobKeeper, as the extension period for the wage subsidy comes into place this week.
“There are some key dates to keep in mind, and simple steps employers can take now, so they are ready for the changes, but please remember that not everything needs to be done from next week,” said Deputy Commissioner James O’Halloran.
“From Monday, 28 September, employers will need to pay their eligible employees a different rate of JobKeeper, with the rate dependent on the number of hours they work. These rates will change again from Monday, 4 January.”
Related: “Australian Business Grants and & Assistance”
Mr O’Halloran explained the importance of employers making the ATO aware of the employees that will be received JobKeeper payments.
“Although you do not need to re-enrol in JobKeeper, you do need to notify us of your eligible employees and what rate you are paying them as part of your normal payday reporting in October. This can easily be done through Single Touch Payroll,” he said.
“Employers will also need to nominate any new employees if they are applying for a JobKeeper payment for them for the first time.”
The extension period commences on 28 September 2020. Employers will be required to show their actual GST turnover has declined into the September 2020 quarter, relative to a comparable period. This needs to be completed prior to 31 October 2020.
Mr O’Halloran added that alternative measures may be taken to determine loss of turnover, and encouraged business to seek assistance if necessary.
JobKeeper key dates moving forward
- 28 September 2020: employers to start paying eligible employees tier 1 and tier 2 JobKeeper rates based on their hours worked.
- From 28 September: if using Single Touch Payroll to notify the ATO of eligible employees, employers must provide each eligible employee’s tier as part of their normal payday reporting. Those enrolling for the JobKeeper payment for the first time can do so from 28 September.
- Between 1– 14 October 2020: employers to complete their October JobKeeper monthly business declarations to receive reimbursement for the September fortnights.
- Between 1–31 October 2020: employers to prepare and submit their business’s actual decline in turnover to the ATO.
- Before 31 October 2020: employers to ensure they meet the wage condition for all eligible employees included in the JobKeeper scheme for the JobKeeper fortnights starting 28 September 2020 and 12 October 2020.
- From 1 November 2020: employers to complete their monthly business declaration and confirm what payment tier they are claiming for each employee.
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