JobKeeper Application – Step by Step Guide

April 23rd, 2020 at 8:20 am

JobKeeper is here, six million workers will be eligible. We have put together easy to follow instructions to help you submit your JobKeeper application.

What you will need:

1. It is essential that your business records are up to date (preferably Xero or similar).

2. Business Activity Statement (BAS) reports need to be current (facilitated by point 1).

3. Make sure myGov ID is set-up: https://www.mygovid.gov.au/how-do-i-get-set-up

4. Ensure Single Touch Payroll (STP) is in place for your employees. Not sure what STP is click here.

Enrol for JobKeeper:

All over it? Definitely eligible? Skip straight to Step 4

Step 1 – Register with the ATO for JobKeeper payment

Step 2 – Check whether your business and your employees meet the eligibility requirements listed below;

On 1 March 2020, you carried on a business in Australia or were a not-for-profit organisation that pursued your objectives principally in Australia.
You employed at least one eligible employee on 1 March 2020.
Your eligible employees are currently employed by your business for the fortnights you claim for (including those who are stood down or re-hired).
Your business has faced either a
- 30% fall in turnover (for an aggregated turnover of $1 billion or less)
- 50% fall in turnover (for an aggregated turnover of more than $1 billion)
- 15% fall in turnover (for ACNC-registered charities other than universities and schools).

Step 3 – Continue to pay at least $1,500.00 to each eligible employee per fortnight (the first JobKeeper fortnight is from 30 March 2020 to 12 April 2020).

The ATO has extended the deadline to 8 May 2020 for businesses to pay staff for the month of April.

If you employ causal or part-time staff or have stood down staff and can not afford to pay the minimum $1500.00 payment we highly recommend you read the ‘What action should I take before 30 April 2020?‘ from Employsure before making the decision to pay or back pay staff be knowing the business is eligible for the JobKeeper.

Step 4 – Notify your eligible employees that you are intending to claim the JobKeeper payment on their behalf (check they are not claiming JobKeeper from another employer)

Step 5 – Fill out and send employees the JobKeeper employee nomination notice. Ensure they complete and return this to you as soon as possible. Keep these forms on file and send a copy to your tax agent.

Step 6 – Make a list of the number of employees who will be eligible for the first JobKeeper fortnight (30/03/2020 – 12/04/2020) and the second JobKeeper fortnight (13/04/2020 – 26/04/2020). Note: If you are an owner and you are not on the payroll but draw a income from the business you will need to select ‘business participant’ on the application form to receive the JobKeeker payment.

Decide whether you or your Tax Agent will enrol you for the payment. If using your tax agent, provide them with all relevant details regarding the employees you intend to claim for.

If applying yourself, read on

Step 7 – Ensure your myGovID password is working.

Step 8 – Login to the ATO Business Portal from 20 April 2020 to enrol

Step 9 – Don’t panic if there is an issue with the ATO Business Portal. It is more than likely that there will be. To ensure you receive your JobKeeper payments as early as possible, you should enrol by the end of April 2020, but if you need more time, enrolments are now open until 31 May 2020.

Step 10 – Pour yourself a beer or wine and don’t consider doing any more work today.

We hope this has simplified the steps required to complete the JobKeeper application. We wish to thank SBAA preferred Tax Agent Luminous Chartered Accountants for providing us with this easy to understand steps.