This post discusses the Federal government and ATO measures in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The main tax and super measures are:
enhancing the instant asset write-off;
an accelerated depreciation rate;
boosting cash flow for employers;
early release of super; and
reducing the minimum drawdown amounts.
Other measures include:
stimulus payments to households;
additional support for income support recipients; and
guarantee of lending to SMEs.
Instant Asset Write Off
The instant asset write-off threshold has been increased from $30,000 to $150,000 for the period from 12 March to 30 June 2020.
This means a small business (aggregated turnover less than $10 million) – which uses the simplified depreciation rules – can claim the instant asset write-off for a depreciating asset costing less than $150,000 if the asset is first used or installed ready for use in your business on or after 12 March 2020 and before 1 July 2020.
The increased threshold also applies to assets you acquired before 12 March, but you had not used, or installed ready for use, by that date.
Remember that if you purchase a car for your business, the instant asset write-off is limited to the business portion of the car limit of $57,581.
You cannot claim the instant asset write-off for an asset costing between $30,000 and $150,000 if you had used it, or installed it ready for use, before 12 March. For example, if you sell an asset you are already using and buy it back (for between $30,000 and $150,000) you won't be able to claim the instant asset write-off for the re-purchase.
Small business entities can also claim a deduction for an amount included in the second element of the cost of depreciating assets that are first used or installed ready for use in a previous income year. The amount of the cost must be less than $150,000 and the cost must be incurred on or after 12 March 2020, but before 1 July 2020.
As a result of the increase in the threshold to $150,000, only assets costing $150,000 or more, and costs of $150,000 or more relating to depreciating assets, need be allocated to the general small business pool. If the balance of the pool falls below $150,000 at the end of the current income year, the entire balance of the pool can be deducted.
Another measure – which does not affect small business – is an increase in the eligibility range for the instant asset write-off from $50 million to $500 million.
Tip! If you are planning to buy a depreciating asset for use in your business, talk to us first. There is only a 3-month window of opportunity – to 30 June this year.
Accelerated Depreciation
Another Coronavirus measure is an accelerated rate of depreciation for businesses with an aggregated turnover less than $500m. To be eligible for the accelerated depreciation, the depreciating asset must:
be new and not previously held by another entity (other than as trading stock);
be first held on or after 12 March 2020; and
be first used or first installed ready for use for a taxable purpose on or after 12 March 2020 and before 1 July 2021 (yes - 2021 – it is not a typo!).
A depreciating asset will not qualify for the accelerated depreciation if:
depreciation deductions have already been applied to the asset or the asset is written off immediately under the instant asset write-off rules;
it will not be used principally in a business in Australia or located in Australia;
it is used in a primary production business (e.g. fencing, fodder storage assets or horticultural plants); or
you were committed before 12 March to acquiring or constructing the asset – you cannot restructure existing contracts to try to get around this rule.
You cannot split an asset or merge assets to try to qualify for the accelerated depreciation.
The rules for working out the accelerated depreciation vary depending on whether or not you use the simplified depreciation rules.
In all cases, you cannot deduct more than what you pay for the asset.
If you are a small business and you use the simplified depreciation rules, those assets over the instant asset threshold which are eligible for the accelerated depreciation are added to the general small business pool. You can deduct an amount equal to 57.5% (rather than 15%) of the business portion of a new depreciating asset in the year you add it to the pool. In later years the asset will be depreciated as part of the general small business pool rules. If you are a small business that does not use the simplified depreciation rules, you will be able to deduct in the income year the asset is first used or installed ready for use:
50% of the cost (or adjustable value where applicable) of the depreciating asset; plus
the amount of the usual depreciation deduction that would otherwise apply but calculated after first offsetting a decline in value of 50%.
Tip! The rules for working out the accelerated depreciation are fairly complicated so speak to us before investing in new depreciating assets. Read more here.
Boosting Cash Flow for Employers
The ATO will provide temporary cash flow support (called the cash flow boost) to small and medium businesses and not-for-profit organisations that employ staff during the economic downturn associated with COVID-19.
Cash flow boosts are tax free and not subject to GST. You will still be entitled to a deduction for PAYG withholding paid.
Cash flow boosts will not have to be repaid once times improve (although if you are overpaid, the excess will have to be repaid).
How does the cash flow boost work? Eligibility requirements You will be eligible to receive the cash flow boost if you are a small or medium business (whether a sole trader, company, partnership or trust) that:
held an ABN on 12 March 2020 and continues to be active;
has an aggregated annual turnover under $50 million – this is generally based on the most recent prior year income tax assessment, but if you do not have any prior year assessments, you may still be eligible if the ATO is satisfied that you are in business and would have an aggregated annual turnover under $50 million; and
made eligible payments you are required to withhold from (even if the amount you need to withhold is zero).
Eligible payments include:
salary and wages;
director fees;
eligible retirement or termination payments;
compensation payments;
voluntary withholding from payments to contractors.
In addition, you must also have either:
derived business income in the 2018-19 income year and lodged your 2019 tax return on or before 12 March 2020; or
made GST taxable, GST-free or input-taxed sales in a previous tax period (since 1 July 2018) and lodged the relevant activity statement on or before 12 March 2020.
The eligibility requirements for not-for-profit organisations are similar.
Initial cash flow boost You will receive a credit equal to 100% of the amount withheld, up to a maximum of $50,000. The minimum credit will be $10,000, even if the amount required to be withheld is zero. However, you will not be eligible to receive any more cash flow boosts until your PAYG withholding exceeds $10,000 over the relevant periods.
The total of all initial cash flow boosts across all of the relevant periods cannot exceed $50,000.
The initial cash flow boost will be delivered as a credit in the activity statement system from 28 April 2020. If you lodge early (i.e. before 28 April 2020), you will not receive the cash flow boost before that date.
If you lodge quarterly, you will be eligible to receive the credit for:
quarter 3, March 2020 (lodgment due date 28 April 2020); and
quarter 4, June 2020 (lodgment due date 28 July 2020).
Additional cash flow boosts
If you receive an initial cash flow boost, you will receive additional cash flow boosts, for the periods June to September 2020. The amount received will be equal to the total amount of the initial cash flow boost.
If you report quarterly the additional cash flow boosts will be delivered in 2 instalments. So, you will receive 50% of the initial cash flow boost for each BAS.
Delivery of the cash flow boost
You do not need to apply for the cash flow boosts. If you are eligible, the cash flow boosts will be automatically applied to your account when you lodge your BAS for the relevant period. The cash flow boosts will be applied to reduce liabilities arising from the same BAS. This will result in eligible entities being required to pay less to the ATO.
The ATO has said that if you do not need to lodge a BAS in respect of your PAYG withholding, it is working through a solution and will update its website with more information on what you need to do.
Where a credit exceeds your other tax liabilities, the excess amount will be refunded.
You may also receive a refund if you overpay because your system was unable to take the cash flow boost into consideration when working out how much was payable.
The ATO has said that it will generally deliver any refund within 14 days. Warning: You will not be eligible for cash flow boosts if you (or a representative) take steps to make you eligible for cash flow boosts, or to increase the amount of your cash flow boosts. This may include restructuring your business or the way you usually pay your workers, as well as increasing wages paid in a particular month to maximise the cash flow boost amount. Tip! Talk to us before restructuring your business. There will be other tax issues you need to know about, such as capital gains tax. Read more here.
JobKeeper Payments
If your business has been significantly impacted by the Coronavirus you will be able to access a wages subsidy to continue paying your employees. Under the JobKeeper program, you will be able to claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee from 30 March 2020, for a maximum of 6 months.
Employers will be eligible for the subsidy if:
their turnover is less than $1 billion and it will be reduced by more than 30%; or
their turnover is $1 billion or more and it will be reduced by more than 50%.
The reduction in turnover is relative to a comparable period a year ago (of at least a month). Not-for-profit organisations are eligible for the JobKeeper payment, but not the major banks.
You will have to apply to the ATO to participate in the scheme. You will need to demonstrate the appropriate downturn and you will have to report the number of eligible employees on a monthly basis.
If you are an eligible employer, you will receive the payment for each eligible employee that was on your books on 1 March 2020 and you continue to employ. Part-time employees, stood down employees and long-term casuals are all eligible, as well as full-time employees.
A long-term casual is one employed on a regular basis for at least the previous 12 months as at 1 March 2020.
An employee must be an Australian citizen or the holder of a specified class of visa. Working holiday makers are not covered.
Superannuation Measures
Early release of super
Individuals may be able to access their super if adversely affected by COVID-19.
From mid-April, eligible members can apply for a release of up to $10,000 of their super before 1 July 2020. They will also be able to access a further $10,000 from 1 July 2020 until 24 September 2020.
To apply for early release, the member must:
be unemployed;
be eligible to receive a jobseeker payment (previously called Newstart allowance), youth allowance for jobseekers, parenting payment (which includes the single and partnered payments), special benefit or farm household allowance; or
on or after 1 January 2020, have been made redundant or had their working hours reduced by 20% or more or, if a sole trader, have had their business suspended or suffered a reduction in turnover of at least 20%.
If you are a member of an SMSF, you can apply through myGov from mid-April. If eligible, the ATO will issue a determination advising of your eligibility which you must pass on to the SMSF.
Tip! Use this measure as a last resort. Money taken from your super fund now will reduce the amount available once you retire.
Don't forget SMSF trustees are responsible for the members' retirement savings. If you are an SMSF trustee, please make sure the member is eligible for early release of super before you release any funds.
Reducing the minimum drawdown amounts To assist retirees, the government has reduced the minimum annual payment required for account-based pensions and annuities, allocated pensions and annuities and market-linked pensions and annuities. The minimum amounts have been reduced by 50% for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years.
If the minimum drawdown amount has already been paid, payments can be stopped for the remainder of the year. If you have received more than the minimum drawdown amount, you can recontribute these amounts if you are eligible to make superannuation contributions (subject to other rules or limits such as contributions caps).
Tip! Speak to us before making any decisions affecting your super. Click to read more.
Social Security Measures
The government has also announced a number of temporary social security measures as part of its Coronavirus stimulus strategy. These are:
a Coronavirus supplement to be paid at a rate of $550 per fortnight for 6 months. This will be paid to both existing and new recipients of jobseeker payment (formerly Newstart allowance), youth allowance jobseeker, parenting payment, farm household allowance and special benefit;
for 6 months permanent employees who are stood down or lose their employment, sole traders, the self-employed, casual workers and contract workers who meet the income tests as a result of the economic downturn due to COVID-19 will be able to access jobseeker payment and youth allowance jobseeker (this could also include a person required to care for someone who is affected by COVID-19);
asset testing for jobseeker payment, youth allowance jobseeker and parenting payment will be waived for the period of COVID-19 supplement, although income testing will still apply to the person's other payments, consistent with current arrangements;
the one-week Ordinary Waiting Period has been waived; and
2 separate $750 payments to social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders. The first payment will be made from 31 March 2020 and the second payment will be made from 13 July 2020. The second payment will not be made to those eligible for COVID-19 supplement.
Go to the Services Australia website for more information about claiming these additional benefits. Click here.
Social security deeming rates
The Government has announced a 0.75 percentage point reduction in both the upper and lower social security deeming rates. As of 1 May 2020, the upper deeming rate will be 2.25% and the lower deeming rate will be 0.25%.
What is the ATO doing?
PAYG instalment variations
The ATO will allow businesses impacted by COVID-19 to vary PAYG instalment amounts as from the March 2020 quarter.
A quarterly PAYG instalments payer can vary their PAYG instalments on their BAS for the March 2020 quarter. This can be done by lodging a revised BAS before an instalment is due, and before the business lodges its income tax return for the year.
Businesses that vary their PAYG instalment to zero can also claim a refund for any instalments made for the September 2019 and December 2019 quarters.
Changing to monthly reporting
The ATO will allow businesses on a quarterly reporting cycle to opt into monthly GST reporting to get quicker access to any GST refunds. Changing the GST reporting cycle to monthly doesn't mean that a business has to change its PAYG withholding reporting cycle. Rather, business can manage this by specifying the roles it is changing.
Once a business chooses to report and pay GST monthly, the ATO says it must keep reporting monthly for 12 months before it can elect to revert to quarterly reporting.
Other measures
Other ATO administrative measures to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19 are:
deferring by up to 4 months the payment of BAS amounts (including PAYG instalments), income tax, FBT and excise;
remitting any interest and penalties, incurred on or after 23 January 2020, that have been applied to tax liabilities; and
allowing affected businesses to enter into low-interest payment plans for their existing and ongoing tax liabilities.
These assistance measures will not be implemented automatically by the ATO. Therefore, if you are an individual, sole trader, small or medium business and you need further assistance managing your tax and super obligations, contact the ATO Emergency Support Infoline (tel: 1800 806 218) or talk to us. Once you or us contacts the ATO, a support plan will be tailored for you.
The ATO has set up a "one stop shop" on its website for essential tax and super info on Coronavirus stimulus measures. Here is the link to the COVID-19 page.