JobKeeper payments themselves are and remain exempt from payroll tax in the ACT, and the ACT government has recently announced it will extend its interest free payroll tax deferral for businesses in the construction industry to December 2020.

A complete payroll tax waiver will be in place for 3 months to December 2020 for businesses unable to trade, or able to trade on a very restricted basis only, due to any ACT Government restrictions.

Commercial property owners significantly affected by COVID-19 will be able to continue to defer their rates, interest free, for a further 6 months until 1 April 2021, and commercial landlords and owner operated businesses can continue to apply for rates rebates for an additional 3 months to December 2020 if tenants or landlords themselves are significantly affected by COVID-19.

Is that the sweet smell of an election in the air?