The answer is yes, as long as you meet all the conditions.
From this week, JobKeeper payments will be targeted to sole traders who have been most significantly impacted by COVID-19.
Firstly, you must prove you’re a sole trader (you own your business and are not an employee of your business) and meet all these requirements:
- On March 1, 2020, you carried on a business in Australia
- You had an ABN on 12 March 2020, and had lodged, on or before 12 March 2020, at least a 2018-19 income tax return, or a recent activity statement, or GST return
- You are actively engaged in your business (as at March 1, 2020 and for the fortnight you’re claiming)
- You were a sole trader at March 1, 2020 and for the fortnight you are claiming
- You are at least 18 years old and an Australian resident (or a resident for income tax purposes)
- You are not receiving Government parental leave
- You are not receiving workers’ compensation
- You are not an employee of another entity
- You have given the ATO a JobKeeper nomination notice through myGov
Secondly, from this week, you will have to demonstrate you’ve suffered a decline in turnover using actual GST turnover rather than projected turnover.
Sole traders must have had a 30 per cent revenue drop in the September quarter compared to last year.
Sole traders will be able to show this through their Business Activity Statements (BAS).
Need help with JobKeeper?
Talk to the HR and employment law experts at Better HR.
