JobKeeper 2.0 Update
On the 14th August, the ATO announced key changes to the current JobKeeper program.
Key Updates To Note:
Employee Eligibility date – 1 July 2020
The employee eligibility date for the current JobKeeper program has changed to 1 July 2020 (previously 1 March 2020).
This means you might have 4 x additional JobKeeper fortnight claims for these new employees under the current scheme (from 3 August to 27 September).
Please note, that all original eligibility criteria still applies e.g. over 18 years, casuals have 12 months regular and systematic employment. However, casuals who previously didn’t qualify for 12 months service at 1 March 2020 may now qualify with the extended date of 1 July 2020.
FN10 (3 August) and FN11 (17 August) Top Up Payments – 31 August
The new employee eligibility criteria applies from FN10 (3 August 2020). The ATO acknowledges that assessing eligibility, obtaining nomination forms, enrolling the employee for JobKeeper and processing any required top-ups takes time.
For these two fortnights only, the ATO is allowing employers until 31 August 2020 to meet the wages condition – i.e. they have extended the time to make any required top up payments to new eligible employees until 31 August (existing top-ups should be paid within the usual fortnights).
Accessing JobKeeper beyond September 2020
The Government recently announced JobKeeper 2.0 to extend the current JobKeeper scheme, with changes.
Rules have been adjusted around the decline in turnover test (Previously both June 20 & Sept 20 quarters) were required to be eligible to claim the extended JobKeeper scheme which is from 28th September to 3rd January 2021. You now need to show an actual 30% decline in the September 2020 Quarter to be eligible for the extended program.
There will be further decline in turnover tests beyond this, and your business will be required to show a 30% decline in turnover for the December 2020 quarter.
We are still awaiting confirmation from the ATO in relation to clarifying the decline in turnover tests including alternative tests. We will update you as this news comes to our attention.
Next Steps
We attach our JobKeeper Action Steps below – For Action NOW!
Please ensure you follow each step to make sure you stay compliant within the JobKeeper Scheme.
If you have any queries, please call our office on 07 5451 1118.
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