[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The JobKeeper Payment, which was originally due to end on 27 September 2020, has now been extended until 28 March 2021 (but with new and tougher eligibility criteria).[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=”20″][vc_column_text]Summary

• From 28 September 2020, businesses will be required to reassess their decline in turnover initially with reference to their actual GST turnover in both the June and September 2020 quarters (compared to the entity’s corresponding 2019 quarters).
• From 4 January 2021, businesses will need to demonstrate that they have met the relevant decline in turnover test with reference to their actual GST turnover in all of the June, September and December 2020 quarters to remain eligible for the JobKeeper Payment from 4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021.
• Obviously you can see the importance of continued and long term decline in turnover as contrasted with the present “Once in Always in Regime”.
• The ATO will have discretion to set out alternative tests where an employee’s or business participant’s hours were not usual during the February 2020 reference period. For example, this will include where the employee was on leave, or not employed for all or part of February 2020.
• For employees and business participants who, in the four weeks before 1 March 2020 were working an average of 20 hours or more per week, the current payment rate of $1,500 per fortnight will be reduced to:
  • $1,200 per fortnight from 28 September 2020, and then
  • $1,000 per fortnight from 4 January 2021
• The ATO will have discretion to set out alternative tests that would establish eligibility in specific circumstances where it is not appropriate to compare actual turnover in a quarter in 2020 with actual turnover in 2019, in line with the Commissioner’s existing discretion.
• The JobKeeper Payment will continue to remain open to new recipients, provided they meet the existing eligibility requirements and the additional turnover tests during the extension period.
• The JobKeeper Payment will continue to be made by the ATO to employers in arrears.
• Employers will continue to be required to make payments to employees equal to, or greater than, the amount of the JobKeeper Payment (before tax).

[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Link to Treasury Fact Sheets[/vc_column_text][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=” https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/jobkeeper” target=”_blank” margin_top=”10″ margin_bottom=”40″ btn_hover_bg=”#c4b097″]Click here[/mk_button][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]