Given the economic challenges facing many businesses at the moment due to COVID-19, the Office of State Revenue (OSR) has introduced a number of payroll tax relief measures.
Refunds
For employers (either as an individual entity or as part of a group) who pay $6.5 million or less per financial year in Australian taxable wages, OSR has created an ability to apply for a refund of payroll tax liabilities for July and August 2020.
It is important to note that these refunds do not have to be repaid.
In order to apply for these refunds, employers are directed to complete an online refund application form and must be registered for payroll tax. Applications are to submitted prior to 30 October 2020.
Deferring Payments
In addition to potential refunds, employers are also able to apply for longer deferral periods for payroll tax payments for the 2020 calendar year. These applications are to be submitted by 31 December 2020 and can also be completed online.
For each return period listed below, interest will not accrue if payment of the payroll tax liability is attended to ahead of the deferred payment due date.
Interaction with JobKeeper
It is also important to note that any payments received by an employer under the Australian Government JobKeeper program do not attract payroll tax liability in Queensland.
If you have any further questions about Payroll Tax or any COVID-19 relief programs relating to employment, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our Workplace Team.
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