JobKeeper – next steps after enrolment

If you have already enrolled in the JobKeeper scheme, what are the next steps that must be completed before 31 May 2020?

Once you have enrolled for JobKeeper payments (Step 1), there are two key steps that you will need to complete prior to 31 May:

• Step 2: Identify your employees
• Step 3: Make a monthly business declaration

If you are claiming JobKeeper payments for April, you must also complete the following before Friday, 8 May:

Make sure you have paid your employees for April.

• Pay your eligible employees a minimum of $1,500 (before tax) for each of JobKeeper fortnights 1 and 2 by this date to be able to claim JobKeeper payments for April.
• The first two JobKeeper fortnights in April:
  • JobKeeper Fortnight 1 – 30 March to 12 April
  • JobKeeper Fortnight 2 – 13 April to 26 April

Step 2: Identify your employees

Once you are successfully enrolled, you need to identify the eligible employees and/or the business participant for who you are claiming the JobKeeper wage subsidy.

You, or your registered tax or BAS agent, must identify each eligible employee and the eligible business participant that you will claim the JobKeeper Payment for. You only complete this step once.

Ensure you include:

• all employees who are eligible or have the potential to be eligible for JobKeeper in coming months.
• the business participant, if eligible.

Before you start

• You will need name, tax file number (TFN) and date of birth details for additional eligible employees and the eligible business participant.
• Eligible employees must have completed and returned a JobKeeper employee nomination notice.
• If you are adding an eligible business participant, they must have completed an eligible business participant nomination notice.
• Know your GST turnover for this month and projected for next month.
• Talk to your registered tax or BAS agents and nominate them to act on behalf of your business if you want them to do this step for you.

Complete the Form

Log in to the ATO Business Portal using myGovID. View the COVID-19 screen and select.

If you have engaged us to act on your behalf, we will be in contact with you to complete this step.

For further details on how to lodge, see the ATO site.

JobKeeper Payment Periods

JobKeeper Fortnight	Period relating to each JobKeeper Fortnight	Employees are  paid on or before
1	30 March – 12 April	8 May*
2	13 April – 26 April	8 May*
3	27 April – 10 May	10 May*
4	11 May – 24 May	24 May*
5	25 May – 7 June	7 June
6	8 June – 21 June	21 June
7	22 June – 5 July	5 July
8	6 July – 19 July	19 July
9	20 July – 2 August	2 August
10	3 August – 16 August	16 August
11	17 August – 30 August	30 August
12	31 August – 13 September	13 September
13	14 September – 27 September	27 September

* You have until 31 May to enrol for JobKeeper if you intend to claim for wages paid for JobKeeper fortnights in April and May.

Step 3: Make a Monthly Business Declaration

Before you make your Declaration

You must provide information as to your current and projected turnover. This is not a retest of your eligibility, but rather an indication of how your business is progressing under the JobKeeper Payment scheme.

If your eligible employees change or leave your employment, you will need to notify the ATO through this monthly declaration.

You or your registered tax or BAS agent can make the business monthly declaration.

If you have eligible employees:

• ensure you have paid your eligible employees at least $1,500 (before tax) per JobKeeper fortnight that you’re claiming;
• check if your eligible employees have changed or left your employment. If so, you will need to notify the ATO by re-visiting Step 2 to maintain their details before completing your monthly declaration.

Make your Declaration

To make a business declaration each month:

• log in to the ATO Business Portal using myGovID;
• view the COVD-19 screen and select Step 3 – Business monthly declaration for JobKeeper payment;
• provide your business’ current and projected GST turnover;
• reconfirm your eligible employees;
• reconfirm your contact and financial institution details for receiving JobKeeper payments.

If you have engaged us to act on your behalf, we will be in contact with you to complete this step.

We can help

If we act as your Tax Agent, we can assist you in completing the required forms and declarations.

Even if you are not a client of McSweeney CA, we still welcome any questions you may have as we would be happy to assist you and your businesses in a time of need.

We are always here to help.

McSweeney CA

One response to “JobKeeper – next steps after enrolment”

1. Lindsey Blondel says:

   May 5, 2020 at 2:43 pm

   Hi David,
   Have you any info on steps for a sole trader?
   I have completed all the online steps on the ATO website, I hope !
   I should point out I don’t pay GST…. does that make a difference?
   I sat on the phone for an hour last week and finally got through to a lady at the Tax office, she said they had received my application and I just needed to fill in the return yesterday, which I did, and the money would probably just turn up in y account!
   I would like to know that it will… I also would like some reassurance that I am doing the right thing, I don’t want to commit fraud!
   Thanks so much….
   Lindsey

   Reply