General Coronavirus chit chat thread - non-travel specific

I hope that it’s an exaggeration. Perhaps next month this will improve. ☹️
 
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so it seems if you're a small business who is providing RATs for your staff to keep them safe in your workplace and keep the economy going.

the RATS will be subject to FBT!

supermarkets etc have a dedicated nurse to carry out the tests so they are exempt but small businesses where we self administer, its considered FBT!

how's that fair!??!

COVID-19 and fringe benefits tax | Australian Taxation Office

Check if your fringe benefits tax obligations may have changed for benefits you've provided employees due to COVID-19.
www.ato.gov.au www.ato.gov.au
 
daft009 said:
so it seems if you're a small business who is providing RATs for your staff to keep them safe in your workplace and keep the economy going.

the RATS will be subject to FBT!

supermarkets etc have a dedicated nurse to carry out the tests so they are exempt but small businesses where we self administer, its considered FBT!

how's that fair!??!

COVID-19 and fringe benefits tax | Australian Taxation Office

Check if your fringe benefits tax obligations may have changed for benefits you've provided employees due to COVID-19.
www.ato.gov.au www.ato.gov.au
Click to expand...
Yep. That was mentioned a couple of weeks ago. It's disgusting. It isn't a benefit but a requirement to work in very many cases.
 
Pushka said:
Yep. That was mentioned a couple of weeks ago. It's disgusting. It isn't a benefit but a requirement to work in very many cases.
Click to expand...
...and moreso for those in critical industries that utilise the State health exception for close contact to leave isolation and be allowed to work. A requirement is daily test.
 
HappyFlyerFamily said:
...and moreso for those in critical industries that utilise the State health exception for close contact to leave isolation and be allowed to work. A requirement is daily test.
Click to expand...
As a contractor we also have to be tested prior to entry to many places, mostly Federal Govt ones. Go figure.
 
Pushka said:
As a contractor we also have to be tested prior to entry to many places, mostly Federal Govt ones. Go figure.
Click to expand...
Wonder whether the Federal Government cares about their own FBT? Or is there some exception for them? Or other exception where tests re on contractors (not employees)....
 
Hvr said:
And what do you expect the ATO to do?

They collect revenue as required by law.

Complain to your local federal Member of Parliament, they vote on laws introduced to Parliament.
Click to expand...
I think complaining visibly on a MP/ government Senator’s FB or social media would be warranted.

Gives the masses something to be diverted by.
 
Hvr said:
And what do you expect the ATO to do?

They collect revenue as required by law.

Complain to your local federal Member of Parliament, they vote on laws introduced to Parliament.
Click to expand...
no worries, will do that too thanks

EDIT: and done!
 
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so the ATO was kind enough to ring me back today and as @Hvr said they couldn't help.

The guy did agree with my reasoning & suggested my local MP (already done last Friday) and also the dept of treasury (done today)
 
HappyFlyerFamily said:
Does this article mean no FBT issue for RATs?

www.news.com.au

RATs tests declared tax deductible

Workers will be allowed to claim Covid-19 tests as a tax deduction in some circumstances from this year in a move that will slash the cost to around $6.50 for a single test for average earners.
www.news.com.au www.news.com.au
Click to expand...
Yes just announced. And tax deductions for anyone who purchased them, business and personal. It's to stave off the Free offer by the opposition. A great move.

Edit - for personal they must be used in connection for work. Yep. Not difficult to do that if a tax payer so never an issue.
 
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That last graph suggests something about who gets tested and who doesn't!

Cheers skip
 
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