covid-19 payroll resource hub

For Payroll Professionals & Employers

 
 

Update: June 1, 2020:

We, like many Advisory consultants, have had the valuable opportunity to learn more about the complexities that businesses face during times of uncertainty.

The response, and the way teams have worked deliver to execute change, and deal with compliance and payments has been a true reflection of what we can achieve when things are different.

However, we are not through this yet, and there will be many waves of change that will come between now, and particularly as we plan for cessation of JobKeeper within October.

Our Advisory business sees different needs to provide support within Payroll - and we are here to support businesses during this time.

Of course, if there are any scenarios you are working through with Covid-19 Payroll please do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated email address : help@thepayrolladvisoryco.com.au

UPDATES
JobKeeper & JobSeeker Payments
JobKeeper & JobSeeker Payments

Legislation relating to the JobKeeper and JobSeeker arrangements are not scheduled to go to parliament until Wednesday 8th April.

What this means in terms of implementing a Commonwealth Funded payment through your payroll, let alone the eligibility criteria for business, will start to come to life. We are also interested in how Bona Fide Redundancies, Apprentice Payments, and Parental Leave payments will interact with this legislation and entitlement.

Some great resources to turn to through updated LinkedIn post by subject matter experts:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyntax/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-a-27688826/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hr-law/

Modern Award Changes
Modern Award Changes

There are 103 Modern Awards that being reviewed for the addition of “Schedule X” – which is the addition of pandemic leave and the ability for annual leave to be taken at half pay. The Clerks Award was updated to facilitate working from home arrangements

Always remember, that even in emergency state, whilst common sense should always prevail, if you have time to always make sure you understand the underpinning legislation and rules that apply specifically to your industry. Hopefully, it should not make anything more confusing, but allows you to have a framework to work to.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/office-of-the-fair-work-ombudsman/

Payroll Tax
Payroll Tax

We have prepared an easy reference guide for Australian Payroll Tax waivers and stimulus provisions in our LinkedIn post here:

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6651679564714127360

COVID-19 | PAYROLL ACTION PLAN
COVID-19 | PAYROLL ACTION PLAN

With the landscape changing daily each business will have very specific needs when it comes to dealing with their Full Time and Part Time employees. There will be directives that come from your Executive team, HR, or the business owners on how to proceed with payroll. There will be industry specific downturn or ramp up. There will be industries that can work from home, and those that clearly cannot. There will be changes to who we need to care for and how we care for our families.

International Payroll
International Payroll

For those attempting to navigate International Payroll’s at this time we acknowledge the complexity that awaits.

New Zealand had a scheduled Minimum Wage increase on 1 April 2020. Information on the obligations for this are within this link:

https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/other-types-of-leave/coronavirus-workplace/covid-19-minimum-wage/

Superannuation Guarantee
Superannuation Guarantee

A reminder that your day to day obligations do not get an exemption at this time.

One in particular we are recommending Employers be diligent about is their Superannuation Guarantee Contributions being up to date, as there is no indication that the obligation to meet deadlines here will be waived. This also includes any employees making personal contributions generally need to be remitted within 28 days of the last day of the month.

Speak to a trusted advisor if you need guidance on this, particularly as cash flow may be an issue for many businesses at this time.

 

FLOWCHARTS & WORKSHEETS

 

payroll scenario worksheet

Our Payroll Action Plan suggested building out some scenarios now to reduce pressure on your payroll teams so they can prepare their systems, processes and checks. A template like this decision tree (or a piece of paper and some post it notes) is a good start.

JobSeeker & JobKeeper Payments

With 130,000+ businesses registering for the JobKeeper Program assistance overnight we have pulled together a first review guide, on what businesses will need to do to translate this into payroll outcomes. We will continue to update as more details come to hand, but for now it is about grouping employees and payruns.

 
 
 
 

payroll scenario planning outcomes

To provide support to our Payroll teams across Australia we have been working to develop scenario based payroll outcome worksheets. Today we have been looking at all of the policy content, draft legislation, opinion pieces, advisory guides and webinars that are around at the moment to try and summarise to provide clear direction.

Payroll Tax Ready Guide

Download as PDF to have the links to State Based Payroll Tax Relief in one place.