The Western Australian Government continues to announce measures to support small business during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The small business relief package includes:
- A $43 million package for small businesses and charities impacted by the 31 January 2021 five day lockdown, including an electricity bill offset.
- $17,500 grants for small businesses with a payroll between $1 million and $4 million.
- The $1 million payroll tax threshold (announced in October 2019) will be brought forward by six months to 1 July 2020.
- The WA Government will waive rental payments for small businesses and not-for-profit groups in State Government-owned buildings for six months.
As well as the following measures:
- From 2 June 2020, businesses that are eligible for JobKeeper Payment and have more than three major water fixtures (for example toilet, urinal or pan washer) can apply to Water Corporation to have their wastewater service charges waived for the fourth to 200th fixture, for the period 1 May – 31 August 2020. Applications close 30 September 2020.
- One-off $2,500 credit on electricity bills will be applied to small businesses that consume less than 50MWh per annum. For more information read the statements on the Synergy and Horizon Power websites.
- Power and water disconnections will not occur and interest will not be charged on deferred payments until 30 September 2020 for small businesses facing financial difficulty due to COVID-19. Please note: This applies to Synergy and Horizon Power customers.
- Payroll tax will be waived for four months for businesses with annual wages under $7.5 million (NB: this replaces the previous payroll deferral measure which was announced).
- Affected businesses can apply for interest free payment arrangements and for late payment penalties to be waved for a range of taxes and duties, including payroll tax, transfer duty, landholder duty or land tax.
- A range of business licence fees have been waived, including liquor licence renewal fees for 2020, which will be waived and refunds given to businesses that have already paid.
This article is republished from the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) website. The SBDC is a WA State Government agency that supports small business. Please read the disclaimer before relying on this information, which has been developed primarily with Western Australian businesses in mind.
