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Category: Provision Newsletter Articles

What the coronavirus stimulus package means for individuals, retirees and the Australian economy

Date: Mar 27th, 2020

With the COVID-19 coronavirus crippling the Australian economy and affecting livelihoods, the Australian Federal Government has announced a range of measures to support both businesses and individuals.

The information in this article was last updated on Wednesday 25 March.

The total stimulus announced to date is worth $189 billion, or 10% of the size of the Australian economy, and the government has said more financial support will be announced over the coming months.

Here we explain some of the benefits you may be eligible for.

Coronavirus supplement

For the next six months, the government will establish a new coronavirus supplement worth $550 per fortnight. This will be paid to both existing and new recipients of JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance Jobseeker, Parenting Payment, Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit, doubling the payment for those currently on these benefits to $1,100 per fortnight. Students receiving Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy will also be eligible.

Asset tests and waiting periods that typically apply to these types of payments will be waived, and eligibility will be extended to permanent employees who are temporarily stood down.

Sole traders, the self employed, casual workers and contract workers whose volume of work has been affected may also be eligible, provided they’re earning less than $1,075 a fortnight. These payments will begin from 27 April 2020.

Household stimulus payments

The government is providing two separate, tax-free $750 payments to social security, veteran and other income-support recipients, including those on the Age Pension, and eligible concession card holders.

The first payment will be made from 31 March 2020 and the second payment from 13 July 2020.However, people eligible for the coronavirus supplement (detailed above) won’t be entitled to the second payment.

It’s expected that up to 6.6 million people will be eligible for the first payment and around five million for the second payment, with around half of these pensioners.

Temporary access to super

The government will allow some people affected by the coronavirus to access up to $10,000 of their super between now and 1 July 2020, and a further $10,000 in the first three months of the 2020-21 financial year, tax free.

Those who are eligible include the unemployed, people receiving JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance Jobseeker, Parenting Payment, Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit. And also people who’ve been made redundant, had their work hours reduced by 20% or more or sole traders whose turnover has reduced by 20% or more since 1 January this year.

Applications can be made online from mid-April by using myGov. Members will self-certify that they satisfy the eligibility criteria. Please contact us on |PHONE| to discuss.

Support for retirees

To assist those in retirement the government is temporarily reducing minimum super drawdown requirements for account-based or allocated pensions, annuities and similar products by 50% for the current financial year and the 2020-21 financial year. This should reduce the need for retirees to sell investment assets in the current soft sharemarket conditions to fund their minimum drawdown requirements.

In addition, the upper and lower social security deeming rates will also be reduced by 0.25% from 1 May in recognition of the impact of persistent low interest rates on retirees’ savings. This comes on top of a 0.5% reduction announced earlier in March.

The government says the change will benefit around 900,000 income support recipients, including around 565,000 people on the Age Pension who will, on average, receive around $105 more from the Age Pension in the first full year that the reduced rates apply.

Minimum payment rates for account-based and allocated income streams

Source: Australian Government’s Economic Response to the Coronavirus: treasury.gov.au/coronavirus

State and territory stimulus

The state and territory governments have also announced economic stimulus packages. The majority of these have so far focused on businesses, however there have been a few measures for individuals, including:

  • Western Australia: The WA Government has frozen scheduled increases for household fees and charges, including electricity, water, motor vehicle charges, the emergency services levy and public transport fares, which were previously due to increase by $127 from 1 July. And the Energy Assistance Package, which is available to eligible concession card holders, will be doubled from $300 to $600 from 1 July.

  • Tasmania: The Tasmanian Government has announced one-off payments of $250 for individuals (or up to $1,000 for families) who are required to self-isolate. Recipients must hold a Health Care Card, Pensioners Concession Card or be low-income earners who can demonstrate a need for financial support, including casual workers.

  • Australian Capital Territory: The ACT Government will give rebates of $150 on household rates, as well as freeze a number of fees and charges, including the fire and emergency services levy, public transport, vehicle registration and parking fees. Public housing tenants will receive $250 in rental support, as well as a one-off rebate for residential utility concession holders of $200 to help with power bills.

  • Queensland: The Queensland Government has announced a $200 rebate for all Queensland households (including the $50 Asset Ownership Dividend already announced) to offset the cost of water and electricity bills, which will be automatically applied through electricity bills.

Outlook for the Australian economy

AMP Capital Senior Economist Diana Mousina says that while the government stimulus is welcome, it’s unlikely to be enough to keep Australia from falling into recession.

Ms Mousina says that the combined economic impact of the summer bushfires, lower Chinese tourism and education spending, global coronavirus shutdown and recessions in the US and Europe will all take a toll, however the government’s spending measures should help to limit the severity of the downturn.

“The fiscal stimulus package will help in limiting the depth of the Australian recession, it will help to keep companies afloat (and should provide some limit for keeping the unemployment rate from skyrocketing) and it is necessary to get a strong recovery after the virus has run its course.”

Due to the uncertainty around the country’s economic position, the Federal Government has also announced that it will postpone the next Federal Budget. The budget is usually handed down in May, but has been postponed until 6 October 2020.

Please contact us |PHONE| if you would like to discuss.


Source: Australian Government’s Economic Response to the Coronavirus: treasury.gov.au/coronavirus

What the coronavirus stimulus package means for SMEs and the Australian economy

Date: Mar 27th, 2020

With the COVID-19 coronavirus crippling the Australian economy and affecting livelihoods, the Australian Federal Government has announced a range of measures to support small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

 

The total stimulus (including for individuals) announced to date is worth $189 billion, or 10% of the size of the Australian economy, and the government has said more financial support will be announced over the coming months.

If you’re a small or medium business operator we explain below some of the benefits you may be eligible for.

Cash flow measures

The government is providing two tax-free payments to eligible SME and not for-profit businesses. To qualify, your business must employ people and have an aggregated annual turnover of less than $50 million.

The amount received will be determined by staff salaries and wages, as businesses will receive a payment equal to 100% of the tax on salary and wages they withhold to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), initially from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $50,000. If your business isn’t required to withhold tax you will receive the minimum payment of $10,000.

This payment will be delivered by the ATO as an automatic credit in the activity statement system from 28 April 2020 when you lodge your activity statement.

Businesses will then qualify for a second payment equal to their first payment. This will be received in instalments as automatic credit when lodging activity statements through June and September 2020, bringing the total minimum payment to $20,000 and the total maximum payment to $100,000.

These payments are aimed at helping SMEs pay their rent, electricity and other bills, and retain staff. Around 690,000 SMEs and 30,000 not-for-profits are expected to be eligible.

Additional payments for some SMEs that employ apprentices/trainees

Businesses with less than 20 full-time employees, which includes apprentices/trainees, can also apply to have the government pay 50% of their apprentice/trainee’s wage for up to nine months, from 1 January to 30 September 2020, to a maximum of $21,000 per apprentice/trainee.

The subsidy will also be available to businesses of any size who take on an apprentice/trainee who has been let go by another business.

Employers will be able to access the subsidy after an eligibility assessment is undertaken by an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider and can register for the subsidy, which is expected to support up to 70,000 small businesses, from early April.

Other assistance measures for businesses

  • The government has introduced a Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme, under which it will underwrite 50% of new short-term, unsecured loans to SMEs by lenders. SMEs with a turnover of up to $50 million will be eligible for a maximum loan of $250,000 over three years, with no repayments due for the first six months. Australian banks, including AMP Bank, have also announced they will defer repayments on existing loans for SMEs affected by the coronavirus for up to six months.

  • The government is increasing the instant asset write-off threshold from $30,000 to $150,000 and expanding it to include all businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50 million) until 30 June 2020. This is to encourage business owners to continue investing in business assets.

  • The government is also introducing a time-limited 15-month investment incentive by accelerating depreciation deductions. Eligible businesses will be able to deduct 50% of the cost of an eligible asset on installation, with existing depreciation rules applying to the balance. This will apply to businesses with aggregated turnover below $500 million and to the purchase of new assets.

Outlook for the Australian economy

AMP Capital Senior Economist Diana Mousina says that while the government stimulus is welcome, it’s unlikely to be enough to keep Australia from falling into recession.

Ms Mousina says that the combined economic impact of the summer bushfires, lower Chinese tourism and education spending, global coronavirus shutdown and recessions in the US and Europe will all take a toll, however the government’s spending measures should help to limit the severity of the downturn.

“The fiscal stimulus package will help in limiting the depth of the Australian recession, it will help to keep companies afloat (and should provide some limit for keeping the unemployment rate from skyrocketing) and it is necessary to get a strong recovery after the virus has run its course.”

Please contact us on |PHONE| if you would like to discuss.

8 steps to prepare for the Financial Impacts of the Coronavirus

Date: Mar 25th, 2020

Much of the media coverage of the coronavirus pandemic is focusing on the potential health impacts. The potential financial impacts are likely to be severe as well, including:

  • a slowdown in the economy,

  • job losses,

  • drops in income, and

  • straining household budgets.

However, just like you can take physical health precautions, now is the time to contact us on |PHONE| and discuss steps you can take to protect your financial health from the impacts of the coronavirus.  Here are some suggestions.

1. Prepare (or review) your household budget

If you don’t already have a household budget that itemises all your income sources as well as all your expenses, now is the perfect time to do one. If you already have one in place, now is also the ideal time to review it.

Your budget should have a column for your income and a column for your expenses. Split your expenses column into two sections: essential and non-essential expenses. Essential expenses are all the things you need to live, such as food, accommodation and utility services like electricity.

Non-essential expenses, on the other hand, are things that you can do without, like entertainment.

2. Eliminate (or minimise) any unnecessary expenditure

You should immediately aim to eliminate or minimise any unnecessary (non-essential) expenditure. This will ensure you don’t waste any money you already have or that you earn.

3. Reduce your home/car loan repayments

If you have been paying more than the minimum repayment on your home/car loan, consider only paying the minimum payment required as per your loan contract.

You could also talk to your lender about reducing your home/car loan repayments before you miss any payments. You may be able to take advantage of the recent announcements by the big banks to pause/defer your loan repayments for up to 6 months.

It’s important to understand that late or missed repayments negatively affect your credit rating. If you develop a bad credit rating, you may find it harder to get finance in the future.

4. Review discretionary investment and super contributions

The share market is being heavily impacted by the global coronavirus panic at the moment, and this will affect super fund returns.

Under certain circumstances, superannuation funds may be accessible. Please contact us on |PHONE| if you feel this might apply to you.

You should also contact us to discuss if it is prudent to temporarily cease any discretionary investment or super contributions if you’re currently making them.

5. Review your existing investment strategies

Now is not the time to panic. However reviewing your investment strategies is a sensible financial strategy, and it’s especially important during times of uncertainty. Please seek professional advice to ensure that your investment strategy is appropriate for both your current circumstances and your future needs.

6. Check if you’re eligible for any government assistance

If you’re running a business or you’re currently receiving a government benefit, you’re likely to be eligible for financial assistance under the economic stimulus package recently announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

7. Be wary of scammers

Unfortunately, scammers tend to target vulnerable people to exploit financially during times of uncertainty. Be wary of anyone looking to sell you anything that you’re not familiar with at the moment.

8. Prepare (or review) your Will

We don’t wish to be macabre. Preparing a Will and reviewing it when circumstances change is a sensible financial strategy for anyone, regardless of the outbreak of the coronavirus.

If you don’t currently have a Will, you should take the time to prepare one. If you already have one in place, review it to ensure that any wealth you have will be distributed the way you want.

Power of attorney is an important part of any estate plan. It will ensure your financial affairs remain in order if you are unable to sign important documents. With the coronavirus affecting the elderly more than any other age group, this could become a very important document.

The bottom line

Unfortunately, no one has a crystal ball to accurately predict the full impacts of the coronavirus. However, it’s important to take steps to protect your financial health (as well as your physical health) during these uncertain times.

How we can help

Please contact us on |PHONE| if you have any concerns about your financial health. We’ll take the time to understand your specific situation and needs before providing you with the best possible advice.

Source: Clientcomm library

Important note:
This provides general information and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account.  It’s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what’s right for you. Although the information is from sources considered reliable, we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. You should not rely upon it and should seek qualified advice before making any investment decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, we do not accept any liability (whether under contract, tort or otherwise) for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person.  Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns.Any general tax information provided in this publication is intended as a guide. It is not intended to be a substitute for specialised taxation advice or an assessment of your liabilities, obligations or claim entitlements that arise, or could arise, under taxation law, and we recommend you consult with a registered tax agent. 

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2nd Economic Response to the Coronavirus 22 March 2020

Date: Mar 23rd, 2020
While the full economic effects from the virus remain uncertain, the outlook has deteriorated since the Government’s initial Economic Response announced on 12 March 2020.
 
 
The spread of the virus worldwide has broadened, and is expected to be more prolonged. Governments, both international and domestic, have announced stricter mitigation measures to slow the spread of the virus, which are having significant economic impacts.
 
On Sunday 22nd March, the Government announced a second set of economic responses which, combined with the previous actions, total $189 billion across the forward estimates, representing 9.7 per cent of annual GDP.
 
Included in the announcement are temporary changes to superannuation. Please contact us on |PHONE| to discuss your circumstances before acting on these changes.
 
Please find below the key elements of this latest stimulus;

Supporting Individuals and Households

Support for Businesses

 
If you would like to discuss any of the areas targeted, please call on |PHONE|.

Source: Australian Government – The Treasury

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