We are living in extraordinary times & experiencing unprecedented measures to curb the spread of COVID19. The following is a summary of initiatives we are taking to continue to provide services, recent trading restrictions and government stimulus packages.

Selwood Ackerly Accounting Services (SAAS) COVID19 Policy

As recommend by the Victorian Government, all SAAS staff that can work from home are being encouraged to do so. We have the technology in place to ensure your level of service remains unchanged and for the most part business as usual. Staff will remain in contact via email, phone and conferencing applications.

In the interests of keeping our clients and staff safe, we are rescheduling in-office appointments to phone appointments, video conference or on client premises visits. The ventilation and office size is not sufficient to comply with social distancing recommendations. We will make contact with clients who have appointments scheduled.

We recommend clients familiarise themselves with our client portal which is accessible via our website. The portal enables clients to upload sensitive or large data files and electronically sign documents. The portal is easy to use and we are here to assist if needed. Please contact our office to register for the client portal if not already registered.

Rest assured we will remain available to assist you with any of your taxation and accounting needs.

New Lockdown Measures

What business will be closed?

Effective from midday today the following businesses will be closed:

·         pubs

·         clubs

·         cinemas

·         casinos

·         nightclubs

·         indoor places of worship

·         gyms

·         indoor sporting venues

What businesses will be left open?

·         Hotels will be allowed to continue operations in an accommodation capacity.

·         supermarkets

·         banks

·         petrol stations

·         pharmacies

·         convenience stores

·         freight and logistics

·         food delivery

·         bottle shops

·         hairdressers and beauticians

Support for Business

Up to $100,000 to eligible small and medium sized business that employ people, with a minimum $20,000. Delivered via funding 100% of Pay As You Go Withholding (PAYGW) from employee's wages. The incentive is applied automatically as a credit on lodgement of the Business Activity Statements (BAS). It is imperative that clients lodge BAS on time to receive the credit. For some clients the credit will result in a lower BAS payment whereas others will receive a cash refund. The result is dependent on the amount of PAYGW and other BAS obligations, such as GST collected.

The threshold at which creditors can issue statutory demands on a company is being temporarily increased and directors are being offered temporary relief from personal liability if trading whilst insolvent.

The instant asset write-off is being increased from $30,000 to $150,000 up to 30 June 2020.

Additional 50% accelerated depreciation on assets up to 30 June 2021.

Employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50% of the apprentice's or trainee's wage for 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020 up to a maximum $21,000 per employee ($7,000 per quarter).

Please refer to the following link for more detailed information https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/businesses

Support for Individuals (including self-employed)

Expansion to income support payments to include access to the JobSeeker, Energy Supplement and time-limited Coronavirus supplement. This support has been expanded to provide support for permanent employees who are stood down or loose their employment; sole traders; the self-employed; casual workers; and contract workers who meet the income test as a result of the Coronavirus. Also includes a person required to care for someone affected by the Coronavirus. The Asset test will be waived for the period of the Coronavirus. Applicants may also be entitled to Rent Assistance. New applicants are encouraged to lodge on-line via MyGov. Applicants with no internet access can claim over the phone.

Two $750 payments from 31 March 2020 and second payment from 13 July 2020 to social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders.

Reducing superannuation minimum drawdown requirements for account-based pensions and similar products by 50% for 2019-20 and 2020-21. Therefore, reducing the funds that retirees are required to withdraw from superannuation.

0.5% reduction in both upper and lower social security deeming rates.

Please refer to the following link for more detailed information https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/households

Supporting the Flow of Credit

The Government will provide a guarantee of 50% to SME lenders to support new short-term unsecured loans to SMEs.

The Government is cutting red tape by providing a temporary exemption from responsible lending obligations for lenders providing credit to existing small business customers.

Please refer to the following link for more detailed information https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/business-investment or contact your bank. The incentive is based around allowing businesses in distress to access funding fast.

Deferral of Loan Repayments

The Australian Banking Association has announced that small business experiencing financial hardship will be able to deferral loan repayments for six months. Details of the package are being developed and are expected to be released today.

Coronavirus and Australian Workplace laws  

Visit www.fairwork.gov.au (Please note: the website was down at the time this blog post was prepared [12noon 23rd March 2020]).

In summary;

Businesses should, but not limited to;

Retirees should contact their superannuation fund or financial advisor for a recommendation in respect to reducing minimum pension payments.

Individuals who have lost their job or income reduced should apply for income support via MyGov.

There may be other incentives that are not included above. We will keep you updated as new incentives are released. Please refer to the following websites for ongoing updates;

https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus

https://www.business.vic.gov.au/disputes-disasters-and-succession-planning/illness-and-business-management-plan/coronavirus-business-support

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

https://preview.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-updates

Kindest Regards,

Michael Ackerly CPA & Trevor Selwood CPA

Principals

Selwood Ackerly Accounting Services Pty Ltd

P. (03) 5722 9595  

Enquiry@saaccounting.com.au      www.saaccounting.com.au  

Suite 8, The Strand, 21 Reid Street    (PO Box 121)  Wangaratta VIC 3677

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