The administrative trend toward data collection and analysis continues, as the ATO extends its data-matching programme with the Department of Home Affairs. The 3-year extension will further consolidate their database regarding recent visa grants in the 2020-21 to 2022-23 financial years.
Each financial year, an estimated 10 million individual records are obtained to ensure that visa holders, sponsors, and migration agents meet the relevant tax and superannuation requirements. This 3-year extension is intended to help validate people for the country’s JobKeeper programme.
Under the Social Security Act 1991, eligible people include employees with Australian residency who hold either a citizenship, a permanent visa, or are a Protected Special Category Visa Holder. To prove wage subsidy authorisation, the ATO will look into visa information from 1 March 2020 to 28 March 2021 to prevent invalid declarations through pre and post-issue compliance checks.
This data-based approach will also help identify and cancel ABNs (Australian Business Numbers) which may have been misused through incorrect categorisation. Additionally, tax treatment by employers towards visa owners will be looked into, particularly concerning registration, lodgement, PAYG reporting, and payment requirements.
This programme will also help enforce compliance with rules governing COVID-19 recovery programmes. One example is Services Australia’s data trade with the ATO, which aims to prevent people claiming both social security and JobKeeper payments at the same time.
Data from Services Australia will also be used to determine whether certain individuals are eligible for cash boost measures.
We have in place an endorsement to our policy which includes JobKeeper payment audits and reviews. To find out if your circumstances are covered contact the team today.