There have been 2 important changes announced to the JobKeeper Payment scheme.
First, the Assistant Treasurer has announced that businesses will now have until 8 May 2020 to ensure all eligible employees have received a minimum of $3,000 in gross wages for the first 2 fortnights of the JobKeeper support period. Previously, the payment deadline to employees for the first 2 fortnights (30 March – 12 April, 13 April – 26 April) was 30 April 2020.
Second, the ATO advises that the Commissioner has extended the time to enrol for the initial JobKeeper periods from 30 April 2020 until 31 May 2020. Eligible employers will still be able to claim for the fortnights in April and May if enrolled by 31 May 2020.
This means that eligible employers are able to receive JobKeeper Payments for the fortnights in April if payment is received by employees by 8 May 2020 and the employer is enrolled by 31 May 2020.