Dear Client,
As we all work together to understand and anticipate the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) we have prepared some information regarding possible support that can be accessed, as announced recently by the Government. We have also included for your information some considerations for staff and personal well-being.
At this stage the full and long term impact of the virus is unknown so it is important that we prepare ourselves for various scenarios. We encourage all businesses to assess the different scenarios and put measures in place to ensure business continuity. We further recommend that businesses assess their liquidity and consider increasing lines of credit or access to borrowings. While such facilities may not be required, they will be helpful in the event of cash flow shortages in the short term. Further information is available from our office should you require additional support or information.
Assistance Package
The Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently announced a $17.6 billion Coronavirus stimulus package for businesses and individuals. There are four elements to the stimulus package, of which all clients should be aware:
1. Low income earners to receive $750 cash
A one-off payment of $750 will be paid to all social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders. This payment is tax-free and will not count as income for social security, household allowances and veteran payments. A full list of eligible recipients is provided via the following link:
https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-Assistance_for_households.pdf
The one-off payment will occur automatically from 31 March 2020 by Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
2. Cash flow assistance for businesses
Supportive measures introduced to assist Australian businesses to manage cash flow challenges and retain employees include:
- Tax-free cash flow boost for employers
Small and medium-sized business with a turnover of less than $50 million will receive up to $25,000 to help cover the costs of employee wages and salaries equal to 50% of the PAYG withheld. The minimum payment is $2,000 with a maximum of $25,000 and will be available for businesses who lodge business activity statements for the March and June quarters.
Eligible businesses that withhold tax on employee salary and wages will automatically receive the payment. This payment will be delivered by the ATO as a credit in the activity statement system from 28 April 2020 once businesses lodge their relevant activity statements. Eligible businesses that pay salary and wages but are not required to withhold tax will also receive the minimum payment of $2,000. For additional information regarding the timing of these payments please use the following link:
https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-Assistance_for_businesses.pdf
- Apprentice wage subsidy
Small businesses with fewer than 20 full-time workers will receive 50% of an apprentice or trainee’s wage for up to nine months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. For each apprentice or trainee, the Government will provide up to a maximum of $7,000 in wage assistance per quarter. Where a small business is unable to retain the apprentice or trainee, the subsidy will be available to a new employer to re-engage an eligible apprentice or trainee. It is proposed that employers will be able to register for the subsidy from early April 2020. Final claims for payment must be lodged by 31 December 2020.
3. Boosted instant asset write-off and accelerated depreciation
Businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million are eligible for an expanded instant asset write-off for asset investments of up to $150,000 (up from $30,000). The threshold applies on a per asset basis, so businesses can immediately write-off multiple assets. The announcement applies to new or second-hand assets first used or installed ready for use from now until 30 June 2020. The instant asset write-off is due to revert to $1,000 for small businesses (businesses with a turnover less than $10 million) from 1 July 2020.
Businesses with turnover less than $500 million will also be able to access a 15-month investment incentive by accelerating depreciation deductions. These eligible businesses will be able to deduct 50% of the cost of an eligible asset on installation, with existing depreciation rules applying to the balance of the asset’s cost. Additional information regarding the criteria for an eligible asset can be found at:
https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-Support_for_business_investment.pdf
4. Assistance for severely affected regions
The Government has also announced a $1 billion fund to support regions and communities most significantly affected by the Coronavirus outbreak. Those industries disproportionally affected will include such industries as tourism, agriculture and education.
The ATO will provide administrative relief for certain tax obligations (similar to relief provided following the bushfires) for taxpayers affected by the virus outbreak, on a case-by-case basis. Additional information for those regions severely affected by the outbreak can be found via the following link:
https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-Assistance_for_regions.pdf
Additional Income Support
In addition to the stimulus package announced, people who are unable to attend work because they have been diagnosed with the Coronavirus or who are in isolation, may qualify for income support if they do not have any employer leave entitlements. Additional information can be found on the Australian Government Services Australia webpage at https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/. Our accountants are available to guide you through the process of accessing support should you need assistance.
Health and Safety
We have reviewed the health and safety precautions in our workplace and we would encourage all businesses to do the same. We have provided the following guidelines to staff to help manage any perceived risks:
- Be proactive in managing your health and well-being. Any team members who are unwell should stay at home.
- Practice good hygiene; cover nose and mouth with your bent elbow or tissue when sneezing or coughing, use disposable tissues as much as possible. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water after coughing, sneezing, as well as before touching eyes, nose or mouth.
- All staff members who have travelled through any of the higher risk and moderate risk countries that the Department of Health identifies at any time are NOT to return to the workplace for a period of 14 days after their return to Australia.
- Social distancing will be implemented for staff and clients. The World Health Organization recommends a one metre distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing and sneezing.
- Staff should refrain from shaking hands with clients but elbow knocks, foot taps and other combinations are allowed.
- Should staff be at risk of infection, for example if they have been in contact with a confirmed case, management should be advised as soon as possible.
Additional resources for employers which we have found helpful are available via the following links:
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources
Service Delivery
Whilst ensuring the health and safety of our clients and staff, we will continue to provide our services to you. As a business, we can set up our staff to work remotely if and when required. Our systems for practice and document management, emails and communications are cloud based and we will continue to work either in our offices or at home. Should an event occur that will result in the closure of our offices, we will contact you and outline the processes that will occur at this time. We are available to provide assistance and guidance through this uncertain period.
Should you have an upcoming meeting or appointment with myself or my staff then please consider whether you want the meeting to proceed. If you feel unwell or uncomfortable with meeting face-to-face then alternative arrangements can be made.
Please feel free to contact our office if you would like to discuss any of the above information in more detail or if we can assist you further, either personally or professionally. Importantly, look after yourselves, be informed about the Coronavirus and support each other during these challenging times.
Regards,
