We say NO to Schemes, but YES to genuine JobKeeper claims

JobKeeper SchemeAt times when the economy is struggling, clients are struggling, we are all emotionally fragile, it pains me to send out a post saying that we will be saying no to some clients, and to certain activities requested of us.

JobKeeper and the economic cash boosts is not a free for all. And it is certainly not the time to be creating dodgy business practices. We simply will have no part in it.

Our role as accountants, BAS agents and advisors is to support small businesses, but we cannot compromise our standards or our professional registrations along the way, particularly as the effects of COVID-19 continue to rage on for our clients.

The Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) together with the ATO recently released a statement as a reminder of the ethical responsibilities of accountants and bookkeepers. The core of their message was that the ATO will not look favourably on businesses who seek to become eligible for grants, loans, benefits or other assistance that they would not ordinarily be entitled to.

They are reinforcing that you will not be eligible for schemes like the Cash Flow Boost if you are found to become entitled to them when you would not ordinarily be. The statement says “any sudden changes to the characterisation of payments may cause us to investigate.”

It’s good to remember that the ATO has your information from your activity statements, so it’s best to let things happen as they normally would, and seek only the benefits you’re entitled to. We can certainly help you get all that you are genuinely entitled to.

However, if you come to us asking to change your payroll, to create employees who don’t exist, to change contractors to employees and backdate start dates, increase the amounts you’re paying or register you for PAYG Withholding is you have no employees, we are going to ask some questions.

That is our job, that is our moral stand, that is ethically the right thing for us to do and we simply won’t bend the rules.

There is nothing to worry about if you have a genuine business case for these requests, and we will always talk to you to find out what is best. We just ask you to work with us, and not against us nor against the system as was intended.

We are here to support you and want to see you get through this next stage stronger than ever.

Thank you for understanding our position as professionals.

Kind Regards

Stacey & team

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