Last updated: 21 April 2020
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On Monday 20 April the ATO opened enrolments for the JobKeeper program for businesses, including sole traders. Here's an overview of what you can expect, and how you can complete the enrolment online yourself in a few minutes. This might seem like a lot of information, but we think it will cover everything you need to know so you can enroll correctly.
How sole traders can enrol in the JobKeeper Program
Before you start
To prepare to complete your enrolment, review the eligibility criteria relating to:
- Eligible entity (including decline in income)
- Eligible business participant (the process we have outlined before is for sole traders who do not have employees*)
Review your eligibility against the criteria here.
Completing your enrolment online
Start by logging into your myGov account and navigating to the ATO Business Portal. If you have not yet set up ATO online services to link your business, you can do so here.
You should then see a banner similar to the one displayed below. Click on the link to ‘view’ the JobKeeper application process.
You will then arrive at a page similar to what is shown in the below screenshot. For today, simply click on ‘enrol’ to access Step 1.
Six steps to completing the enrolment form
When completing the enrolment form you will need to provide basic information about your business along with specific details regarding JobKeeper criteria. We’ve outlined the six JobKeeper points below, required for sole traders without employees*:
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Choose the month, either March or April, that you have experienced substantial decline in your income. Just make sure you choose the month that you will be able to substantiate a revenue decline of 30% or more.
NOTE: The JobKeeper payments are effective from 30 March, 2020, therefore it does not matter whether you choose March or April as the first month in which experienced a decline. Just choose the month that you can substantiate the decline. -
As a sole trader without employees, you will answer ‘zero’ to the question regarding employees.
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Indicate that you are enrolling as a sole trader and that you are the eligible business participant. Who is an eligible business participant? See here.
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Confirm your eligibility. Unsure if you’re eligible? Read our summary of the eligibility requirements as at Tuesday 21 April for sole traders here.
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Insert your preferred bank details.
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Complete your contact information and submit the application.
Want more information?
We’re endeavouring to communicate more about this initiative as it is made available by the government. In the meantime, you can find further information via:
- The ATO’s JobKeeper portal - including new sole trader information
- By booking a free 10 minute Airtax chat, if you have an Airtax account and have started a service with us.
*Determine if you ‘have employees’ by checking if any other individual(s) meet the ATO’s criteria for an employee. If you have employees, visit the ATO employer page for more information.
This document merely provides a broad outline of the subject and is necessarily general in nature. If you require specific advice, which is tailored to your specific circumstances, please do not hesitate to contact us (fees would apply).