Posts Categorized: News

Small Business Covid Hardship Fund

The Victorian State Government has FINALLY opened AND released qualification details for the Small Business Covid Hardship Fund.

So all those who have missed out on the industry based grants may qualify for $8,000.

And given the test period being a two week comparative test, we expect to be surprised how many qualify.  Why?  Because it is assessed on one’s GST turnover – and for most that is cash. And what is the first that dries up when things get tough – cash.

That all said, there are still a number of qualifying criteria to satisfy.  It is also noteworthy that an approved declaration must be completed by a qualified accountant.

Want to know more – ask us.

Lockdown #6 – extended business covid support

In response to the snap lockdown announced on Thursday afternoon, the state government announced on Friday further covid support to businesses.

In short, those who have qualified for support in recent rounds will receive a further payment. 

There has however been slightly more detail released in respect of the Small Business Covid Hardship Fund (you will remember from our email during the week that in response to our enquiry to the government support line was that they had no idea and were waiting on further details themselves).  Business who do not qualify under other support grants (which are largely industry based) can receive $8,000 if their turnover has fallen by 70% or more.  We will post a further blog when sufficient details are to hand.

You will remember from our earlier posts and emails that the federal government is distributing a Covid-19 Disaster Payment.  An employee will now qualify to receive $750 if their hours of work have fallen by more than 20 hours per week; $450 if less than that.

We will post further blogs when sufficient details become available.

Update on extended Victorian Gov covid support

Further details have come to hand about the Victorian government’s extended covid lockdown support.  There are however a number of initiative extensions await clarification and/or legislation.

Commercial Tenancy Relief

  • We can now clarify that the extended system that will run to January 2022:-

  • At least half of any further rent reduction must be waived; no more than half of the rent reduction can be deferred.

  • From 28th July, landlords can only lock out tenants after receiving Victorian Small Business Council permission.

Licenced Hospitality Venue Fund

  • In order to qualify a business must have both a liquor licence and a food certificate.

We will post further details when they come to hand.

Re-instated commercial rent relief

On 28th July, the Victorian state government announced a re-introduction of a covid rent relief system for commercial tenancies.

A business must have suffered a 30% decline in turnover to qualify.  We are still awaiting legislation so it is not yet known what period is measured.

The rental relief is commensurate with the decline in turnover.  So as per the government’s example, if your business suffered a 40% decline in turnover, then you your business will be entitled to a 40% reduction in rent. 

Please contact us if you need help in quantifying this.

It is also unclear as to whether the rent reduction is in part a deferment.  We will post an update when details come to hand.

Where a landlord doesn’t agree to provide the requested rent deduction then the matter can be referred to Victorian Small Business Commission.

To support landlords who have suffer from their decline in income, assistance can be received under a $80 million Landlord Business Support Package.  One would think that allocation will be quickly exhausted so we would recommend applications being made properly.

Survive & Thrive webinar

In these difficult times it is crucial to have your finger on the right button.

And with that in mind we welcome you to join our next Survive & Thrive webinar.

The webinar will feature the usual Things To Do over the next month and a case study section (which this time will be planning).

Our guest speaker Peter Sleight will discuss Eating for Better Health.

The webinar will run for 25 minutes from 5.30pm on Thursday 5th August.  You can reserve your place by clicking here clicking here

We look forward to seeing you on the night and we welcome your passing this invitation on to family, friends and business associates.

Lockdown #5 government grants

The state and federal governments today announced their support packages in respect of covid lockdown #5 government grants.

Put simply, most incentives are a doubling of what was offered for the last lockdown.  As such, most businesses will receive nothing.

The Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund recipients will again receive $3,000 and Business Costs Assistance Program recipients $2,000.  Recipients is perhaps not the best term as whilst some 86,000 businesses applied, one quarter of those are still awaiting payment.  That said, those that received a payment need to not re-apply; they will simply receive a further amount.

Major event organisers will receive up to $250,000.  Cinemas though will only receive $12,000.

Significantly, workers who lose hours of work will be compensated – $600 if lose more than 20 hours during the lockdown; $375 if between 8 and 20 hours are lost.  Presumably this only relates to casuals as they have no leave to be stood down with.  Interestingly, the federal government will fund the payments to those within hot spots; the state government will fund payments to all other qualifying employers.

We will keep you posted if further details are announced or extra support is announced.  We also welcome any questions you may have.

Payroll reporting deadlines

With the progressive roll-out of Single Touch Payroll, year end finalisation deadlines are tightening.  It’s not like the “good old” Payment Summary days were one had to the 14th August to return the stationery.  Employers are now required to complete the Single Touch Payroll finalisation step by 14th July.

Thankfully though two extensions are available this year:-

  • In response to demands caused to business owners, 31st July

  • For closely held employees (family members) 30th September

Those larger employers that are subject to Pay-roll Tax are due to certify the 2020/21 remuneration by 21st July.  This is not just a matter as in addition to wages, salaries, commissions, directors fees, bonuses and so on, Pay-roll tax is also payable on:-

  • Superannuation

  • Some fringe benefits

  • Payments to certain contractors (including some corporates).

Whilst 28th July is the end date for paying the June quarter SG super, payments through clearing houses can take up to 10 days.  We therefore recommend that the June quarter super be processed no later than Friday 16th.

We welcome any question you may have about these matters.

Important SG super changes

As you will have read in our Budget analysis and no doubt been notified by your software provider, please ensure that you are calculating SG super as from July at 10%. 

It is opportune to remind you that SG is payable on what is called Ordinary Times Earnings (OTE).  OTE is not calculated on a number of items including overtime and some bonuses.  You can read more here.

And in closing just a reminder that the removal of the $450 monthly; threshold is due not to be removed until 1st July 2022.

Payroll processing is complicated.  Moreover errors can prove costly.  We are therefore pleased that Xero now interacts with KeyPay (QuickBooks Online has used a limited version for 5+ years).  Please ask us if you would like a review of your payroll system.

Looking for tax deduction?

Are you still looking for tax deduction to legally minimise your tax?

If you want to do that and beneficially improve the lives of others then the answer is a donation.

Donations will reduce your taxable income so you will pay less tax.  They will also reduce your PAYG Instalments for next year.

Other benefits include:-

  • May reduce or avoid your paying S293 super tax (extra super contributions tax on high income earners).

  • May avoid losing part of the private Heath Insurance rebate.

  • May avoid you being charged Medicare Levy Surcharge.

  • May defer being assessed to make HELP repayments.

  • May retain part of the Family Tax Benefit Part A.

  • May qualify for the Senior Health Concession Card.

And of course the real benefit is knowing you have improved the lives of others.

And here are some common traps to avoid:-

  • Raffle tickets and the like don’t qualify as a donation – a donation is where you give but receive nothing.

  • There is no GST on donations.

  • Make sure you make the donation in the right name. They can’t be claimed by individuals with a net loss.  And they should be made by the higher income earner of the household to reduce the after tax cost (or fund other donations).

And what a great time it is to make a donation.  Whilst the economy has recovered surprisingly well and share and property prices are surging, many are doing it tough.  Food banks and the like are reporting record demand.  And please view the following video and link for the wonderful ways that Just Peoples are supporting those in less fortunate countries around the world.

Want to know more – click here

 

 

21 tax tips for you

We are posting 21 daily tax tips to help you best manage your tax liability and cash flow.

And whilst mainly for business owners, there are tips for investors as well.

So please come back every day to share in the next valuable tip.