As mentioned earlier, the Queensland Government has unveiled a rescue package to support workers, businesses and households through the Coronavirus pandemic.
There will be a total of $4b spent as part of the package, to support health, jobs, households and Queensland businesses.
The measures include:
- $2.5b for workers and industry, delivered through:
$500m to assist workers who lose their job or income with re-training, job-matching and other help to transition into jobs in industries that are vital to get Queensland through this crisis.
An Industry Support Package to assist large business through this period so that they can scale up and service the community when economic activity improves.
A $500 rebate on business electricity bills for all small and medium businesses that consume less than 100,000 kwh.
Waiving of Liquor Licensing fees.
- $300m for households:
$200 rebate to offset the cost of water and electricity bills.
- $1.2b for health:
Funding to increase the capacity of Queensland’s health system to confront COVID-19 through the expansion of fever clinics, emergency department capacity, acute care services and regional aeromedical services for remote communities.
- Payroll tax relief:
Immediate payroll tax refunds of $740m for COVID-19 affected businesses.
A payroll tax holiday and deferral until the end of 2020 for eligible businesses.
Applications must be made before 31 May 2020 and can be completed online at https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/employing/payroll-tax/lodging/coronavirus-tax-relief
Small and medium businesses
All small and medium businesses (payroll up to $6.5M) in Queensland will be eligible for:
- A two-month refund of payroll tax, giving an average of nearly $9,000 cash.
- A three-month payroll tax holiday, saving an average of $13,360.
In addition, they will be eligible to defer all payroll tax payments for the rest of 2020.
Large businesses
Larger businesses (payroll over $6.5M) affected by COVID-19 will also be eligible for the two-month payroll tax refund and have their deferral extended for all of 2020.
For more information, visit the Business Queensland website.
Please call us to discuss, we are here to guide you through these incredibly challenging times.
