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‘The law is really clear’: ATO allays JobKeeper eligibility concerns
The Australian Taxation Office has addressed concerns that small businesses are needlessly dropping out of the JobKeeper scheme for fear of financial punishment or due to moral reasons, saying “the law is really clear”.
Speaking exclusively on the MyBusiness webcast, ATO assistant commissioner for small business Andrew Watson responded to concerns that small businesses are dropping out of JobKeeper as COVID-19 restrictions gradually ease and businesses resume operations which may render them ineligible.
Read more at MyBusiness.
Budget highlights at a glance
Major Spending Initiatives
- $36 billion in new spending
- $17 billion in personal tax cuts
- $8.5 billion in universal Medicare spending
- $5 billion for childcare
- 20% of student debt wiped for 3 million students
- $150 off power bills for all households and small businesses
- Prescription costs capped at $25 each
Economic Forecasts
- Growth: 1.5% in 2024-25, rising to 2.25% in 2025-26
- Inflation: Expected to return to 2-3% band by June 2025
- Wage growth: Outpacing cost of living rises by 0.5% this year
Business Measures
- Non-compete clauses removed for workers earning under $175,000
- $20 million “Buy Australian” advertising campaign
- Incentives for construction and building worker apprentices doubled from $5,000 to $10,000
- Uncertainty around the instant asset write-off scheme
- Foreign investors restricted from buying new homes
Budget Position
- Deficit: $27.6 billion in 2024-25, rising to $42.1 billion in 2025-26
- Government spending as a percentage of GDP rising to 27%
