The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting nearly every aspect of our lives and will be remembered as a pivotal time in history. Like any other event that impacts the world, we don’t know what the future will be like, but we do know that the other side of this will require resilience and creativity from all of us. In the spirit of resilience, we have put together some useful resources to help you.
JobKeeper
It’s all we’ve been thinking about lately, so here are some recent updates on the JobKeeper scheme.
JobKeeper Alternative Eligibility Tests
Late last week the government announced alternative tests for businesses that don’t meet the basic JobKeeper eligibility test (a 30% decline in turnover). The alternative tests are good news for startups, those who have restructured, been affected by drought or have irregular revenue.
JobKeeper Deadline Extended
The ATO has extended the deadline for making JobKeeper payments and top ups to employees for the first two fortnights of April 2020. The time to enrol for the initial JobKeeper periods has been extended from 30 April 2020 until 31 May 2020.
If you enrol by 31 May you will still be able to claim for the fortnights in April and May, provided you meet all the eligibility requirements for each of those fortnights. This includes having paid your employees by the appropriate date for each fortnight.
If you have any questions about JobKeeper, please let us know. We are working hard to help many individuals and business owners through this time. We appreciate your patience and support.
How can I pay staff while waiting for JobKeeper?
If you’re worried about finding the money to pay staff while waiting for JobKeeper to be paid by the government, chat to us. We’re not going to advise a ‘one size fits all’ approach, but you may need to speak with your bank to get an arrangement in place. Chat to us first to get some advice around your cashflow.
Restrictions
Some state governments have announced plans to slowly start lifting coronavirus restrictions. The relaxed restrictions would potentially allow specific activities to begin again. PM Scott Morrison confirmed no national restrictions would be lifted until at least May 11, when they will measure key statistics.
It’s still early days but good news that our country has done well to ‘flatten the curve’.
Are you adapting?
Businesses that use the Coronavirus setback as an opportunity to adapt, innovate and improve are the ones that will thrive. You may need to modify your offerings, look into offering online services and see what you can do differently.
We recommend you use this time to do those things you’ve been putting off because you didn’t have enough time. Can you improve some internal processes, conduct staff training, complete that new website project or look at your marketing efforts? How about developing a plan for when you can reopen?
While we have been really busy helping out our clients during the last month or so, we have also been thinking and planning to improve our operational system and the way we interact with our clients. For example, our meetings with clients will be mainly on line for those who prefer online meeting rather than face to face meeting. Of course, those clients who still prefer facet to face meeting, we will be more than happy to meet them in the office. We will also be changing our invoicing system to make it easier for our clients to manage their cashflow and also our staff to save time by introducing new payment system. We are also working and doing final touches to a new project in our business which we are very excited about. I am sure you will love it. We will let you more about these new developments in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
Time for some good news
The pandemic has caused many people to adjust. We have seen innovations born out of necessity, such as hands-free door openers and rapid development and manufacturing of ventilators and masks. There’s also interesting news of video gamers being called to help develop COVID-19 treatments.
Useful resources
Google is offering $340 million in Ads credits for those who have spent with them in most of 2019.
Take care of yourself
We know that this is a hard time. Everyone is throwing words around like “uncertain” and “unprecedented”, while business feels more stressful than ever. Please take time out today to look after yourself. We will get through this.
Thank you
We thank you again for your patience. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions. Remember we’re in this together and we will go through this together.
Have a great weekend.