Following the Federal Government’s announcement regarding changes to the proposed JobKeeper 2.0 Rules, due to take effect from 28 September 2020, Treasury issued an updated factsheet this morning. Changes made to the original version of JobKeeper 2.0 are outlined below.
What has changed since the original JobKeeper 2.0 announcement?
1. Turnover test period
In the original version of JobKeeper 2.0:
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to receive payments from 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021, the decline in turnover test was required to be passed for both the June and September 2020 quarters; and
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to receive payments from 4 January to 28 March 2021, the decline in turnover test was required to be passed in each of the June, September and December 2020 quarters.
The revised version is that:
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to receive payments from 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021, the decline in turnover test will need to be passed for the September quarter only; and
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to receive payments from 4 January to 28 March 2021, the decline in turnover test will need to be passed for the December 2020 quarter only.
2. Eligible employees
The original version did not change the “employment date” requirement of 1 March 2020 for employees to be eligible for JobKeeper 2.0.
The revised version intends to change the “employment date” to 1 July 2020 ensuring more employees are eligible.
What does this mean now?
Businesses who qualified for JobKeeper 1.0 will continue to receive their payments until 27 September 2020 even if they have experienced an increase in turnover.
However, for those business who are still suffering (or once again suffering) a decline in turnover, you will only need to test the one quarter immediately preceding the payment period. We note that, based on the factsheets and guidance released to date, there is no ability to test GST turnover for a single month. The test period is the whole quarter.
For example:
A retail business became eligible for JobKeeper in the month of April due to a 30% decline in turnover when compared to the April 2019 results. It will continue to receive JobKeeper until 27 September 2020 even if its turnover has improved.
If that retail business then suffered another decline of 30% across the September quarter when compared to the September 2019 quarter, it will be eligible for JobKeeper 2.0 until 3 January 2021.
If its turnover for the December 2020 quarter does not pass the decline in turnover test (30% reduction when compared to the December 2019 quarter) it will exit the scheme on 3 January. If the test is passed, it will continue to receive JobKeeper 2.0 until 28 March 2021.
If that business had hired new employees prior to 1 July 2020, when it assesses which employees are eligible for JobKeeper 2.0, it may be able to include those “new” employees. |
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Actual GST turnover
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2020
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2019
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July
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$200,000
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$200,000
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August
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$80,000
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$200,000
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|
September
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$120,000
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$200,000
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Total for September quarter
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$400,000
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$600,000
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From the above, the decline in turnover for the September 2020 quarter when compared to September 2019 = 33.33% Therefore, this business is eligible for JobKeeper 2.0 from 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021.
What next?
The formal Rules for JobKeeper 2.0 or any alternative tests that may be set are yet to be finalised. We will keep you up to date with any further details on this scheme as they are received.
More information
If you require more information or would like advice on your circumstances/eligibility, please contact your Moore Australia advisor today.