Now that the JobKeeper Payment has passed through parliament, the Australian Taxation Office is working to assist businesses to access the scheme, helping them to retain their employees.

The program will be administered by the ATO and will involve employers checking that they are eligible and then enrolling with the ATO to be paid the JobKeeper payments. Employers will receive a monthly payment for each eligible employee who was paid by the business during the previous month.

Deputy Commissioner James O’Halloran said the ATO is working hard to make it as easy as possible for employers to access the Government’s JobKeeper Payment. 

“At this stage employers should focus on determining their and their employees’ eligibility and desire to participate, and should discuss ongoing work arrangements with their employees.”

“The ATO website has all the information employers need to know about how to get ready. Alternatively, contact your tax representative for assistance and advice specific to your circumstances.”

Employers need to take steps now to be eligible for the first round of JobKeeper Payments which will be paid from the first week of May 2020.

Employers

In order to receive JobKeeper payments from the first week of May, employers need to:

• have paid their eligible employees a minimum of $1500 per fortnight (before tax) for the period between 30 March and the end of April. The payments for the first two fortnights need to be made by the end of April to receive the JobKeeper payment in the first week of May.
• meet all eligibility requirements, as outlined on the ATO’s website.
• enrol in the JobKeeper Payment program, once the enrolment process is opened on 20 April.

When you submit your enrolment to the ATO, we will provide you with an acknowledgement and acceptance of your enrolment into the JobKeeper program based on the information you have provided. 

Employers are encouraged to discuss their businesses’ eligibility and participation in JobKeeper with their employees. 

Employees

The JobKeeper payments will flow from the ATO to employers, rather than directly to employees.

Employees wanting to know whether their employer will be enrolling in JobKeeper should speak to their employer and fill out the employee nomination form here.

Employees can also find out more information about the program on the ATO’s website. 

“We know this payment is vital for the community, and we want every eligible employer to be ready to receive the JobKeeper Payments to help keep Australians in jobs.
“As you would expect we will have systems in place to ensure that the payment is made to the eligible employers and will monitor any claims over the months that attract our attention,” Deputy Commissioner O’Halloran said.

More information about the JobKeeper Payment is available on the ATO’s website.

Additional support and assistance for anyone affected by COVID-19 is available from the ATO here. 

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