Coronavirus – Government support package for business investment
Note: This legislation is yet to pass parliament – therefore this email has been based on the information that the Government has released to date. That being said, the changes are not complex nor controversial and I would expect them to pass as they are.
As a result of the corona virus and the resulting uncertainty and potential loss of income for businesses, the Government has proposed the following measures to assist:
$150,000 Instant Asset Write Off
Period 13 March 2020 to 30 June 2020
This means that businesses turning over less than $500 million can claim assets that you use in your business – up to a cost of $150,000 for each item – as an immediate tax deduction i.e. you don’t depreciate it over a number of years.
This is for assets purchased from 13 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 and extends the current $30,000 to $150,000. Therefore, if you are buying a small truck (say $100,000) for your business it is fully tax deductible this financial year. The item, however, must be purchased (invoiced) and paid for (can be financed, prior to 30 June 2020.
Remember that this is only bringing forward a tax deduction and you need to consider your profitability and taxation impact. If your tax rate is low there may be little or no benefit.
50% Investment Allowance
Period 13 March 2020 to 30 June 2021.
To encourage investment in assets above $150,000 businesses can claim 50% of the cost of the asset as a tax deduction in the year of purchase, then claim the balance under the normal deprecation rules.
That means if you purchase an asset for $200,000 you receive a once off deduction of $100,000 and then claim the $100,000 as deprecation over a number of years.
Remember this is only bringing forward a tax deduction and you need to consider your profitability and taxation impact.
For the above two initiatives, if your tax rate is low, there may be little or no benefit. Refer to this article https://www.mjnaccounting.com.au/news-articles/to-spend-or-not-to-spend-8-things-to-consider-before-jumping-on-the-30-000-asset-write-off
More information and examples is detailed at https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-Support_for_business_investment.pdf
Cashflow boost - 50% Employee PAYG Refund
Period: BAS Returns for the period March 2020 – June 2020.
For businesses with a turnover less than $50 Million, the Government will refund a minimum of $2,000 and maximum of $25,000 of 50% of your employee PAYG taxation that is declared on your March 2020 to June 2020 BAS returns.
The refund will not be taxable income for the business. Hence for small employers this is a substantial benefit.
I am waiting on information to find out:
- Do you need to pay the full amount of PAYG and receive a refund, or the PAYG less the 50%.
- If there is a current ATO debt, if the refund is retained to repay the ATO debt.
50% Apprentice Wage Subsidy
Period 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020.
Eligible employers employing less than 20 full-time employees can apply for a wage subsidy of 50% of the apprentice’s or trainee’s wage for up to 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. Where a small business is not able to retain an apprentice, the subsidy will be available to a new employer that employs that apprentice.
Registration for the subsidy will commence in April 2020 and as more information become available, including how to register, I will forward this information on.