Media Release: JobKeeper Payment Extensions to Help Businesses

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JobKeeper Payment Extensions to Help Businesses

Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson has welcomed the Australian Taxation Office announcement to extend the time available for businesses to pay their employees, and still be able to claim back the first JobKeeper payments.

Mr Thompson said businesses applying for JobKeeper would now have until
8 May 2020 to ensure all eligible employees have received the payments for the first two fortnights of the JobKeeper support period.

“Local businesses have reached out to me requesting the extension and I’m extremely pleased that we have been able to achieve this positive outcome for them. The extension of the payment date, from 30 April 2020 to 8 May 2020, will relieve some of the pressure our local operators are feeling due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Thompson said.

“This extension will allow businesses additional time to consider their circumstances and manage any cashflow pressures that may be arising.

“The extension will mean that more businesses will be able to pay staff and still be eligible for JobKeeper payments, keeping more people in our community connected to their workplace.”

This extension does not negate the obligation on businesses to ensure they continue to pay eligible employees $1,500 in each JobKeeper fortnight.

Around 900,000 businesses across Australia expressed interest in the JobKeeper scheme prior to enrolment.

Enrolments opened at the start of last week and so far more than 500,000 businesses have enrolled, covering more than 3 million employees.
 
Businesses have until 31 May 2020 to formally enrol to claim JobKeeper payments. However, the sooner an employer pays their staff for April and enrols, the sooner the ATO can reimburse them through JobKeeper payments.

Further information can be found at: www.ato.gov.au/general/JobKeeper-Payment/

ENDS

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