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The Tax Office is implementing a series of administrative measures to assist Australians experiencing financial difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Commissioner of Taxation Chris Jordan is encouraging businesses impacted by the coronavirus to get in touch with the ATO to discuss relief options.
“We know that many businesses and communities are being heavily affected by the challenging economic conditions created by the outbreak of COVID-19,” he said.
“The ATO will work shoulder-to-shoulder with businesses to assist them through this difficult period and do what we can to ease the pressure.
“Once you contact us, we’ll tailor a support plan for your needs and circumstances.”
Options available to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19 include:
Employers are however being told that they will still need to meet their ongoing super guarantee obligations for their employees.
To make it easier for people to apply for relief, the ATO confirmed it will be increasing its presence in the areas of highest impact.
A temporary shopfront with staff specialising in assisting small business will be established in Cairns within the next few weeks. In addition, the Tax Office said it will consider ways to enhance its presence in other significantly affected regions, making it easier for people to apply for relief.
Additional temporary shopfronts and face-to-face options are currently under consideration.
“We will also continue to work with the tax profession, other government agencies and local organisations to make sure other impacted communities are also supported during this time.
“We will ensure our services are tailored to the needs of the community and will work with taxpayers and their tax agents to tailor support to their individual circumstances,” Mr Jordan said.
Outside of business, the ATO will also work with individuals experiencing financial hardship, and their tax agents, and will apply appropriate tax relief measures for serious and exceptional circumstances, such as where people cannot pay for food or accommodation.
Unlike the bushfire relief measures, which applied automatically to particular geographic areas, assistance measures for those impacted by COVID-19 will not be automatically implemented, the ATO said.
Anyone impacted by COVID-19 is advised to contact the ATO to request assistance on its Emergency Support Infoline 1800 806 218, when they are ready, to discuss their situation.