Accountants warn ‘scattergun’ approach to JobKeeper changes will shatter confidence

Addressing a letter to Treasury, the joint accounting bodies have asked the government to reconsider any further changes to JobKeeper, warning that "piecemeal or scattergun" approaches could erode the public's confidence.

"That confidence in government and its decisions will become even more important as employees and employers come to grips with the true impacts of COVID-19 over the coming months," the bodies said. 

As such, with the exception of announced changes impacting the childcare industry, the joint bodies cautioned the Treasury against making any changes to the current program prior to the scheduled September end date.

In the letter – written on behalf of the Institute of Public Accountants, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, the Corporate Tax Association, CPA Australia, the Law Council of Australia and The Tax Institute – the bodies also urged the government to announce any proposed extension of the program on 23 July.

"We would also respectfully suggest that any proposed extensions or tapering of the program which extend beyond 30 September 2020 be announced as part of a broader package of changes/enhancements of the program on 23 July 2020," the joint bodies said. 

The bodies also reminded the government that most of the heavy lifting regarding implementation of JobKeeper was undertaken by tax professionals through the investment of a significant amount of time and effort. 

"In a relatively short period of time, the tax profession has had the responsibility of firstly establishing a clear understanding of the program and then disseminating this information to their clients in order to navigate access to the program," the bodies argued.

"It would be greatly appreciated that this group has some involvement and input in any proposed changes to the program."