2021 COVID-19 business grant - open

Posted 19 Jul '21

The NSW Government will be offering financial support to businesses impacted by the recent COVID-19 restrictions and stay-at-home orders.

Introduction

If you’re an Eligible businesses in NSW (including non-employing businesses such as non-employing sole traders) and not-for-profit organisations and you've been impacted by the recent COVID-19 restrictions, you can apply for a one-off grant of $7,500 (tier one) or $10,500 (tier two) or $15,000 (tier 3) via one application.

The 2021 COVID-19 business grant provides cash flow support for businesses that experienced reduced demand or had to close due to the public health orders. Eligible applicants across NSW can use the grant for business costs incurred from 1 June 2021, including:

• utilities, wages and rent
• financial, legal or other advice to support business continuity planning
• marketing and communications activities to develop the business
• the cost of perishable goods that can no longer be used
• other activities to support the operation of the business.

Applications open on 19 July 2021 and close 13 September 2021.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the grant, you must:

• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
• demonstrate your business was operating in NSW as at 1 June 2021
• have had total annual Australian wages of $10 million or less as at 1 July 2020
• have had an aggregated annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million (inclusive) for the year ended 30 June 2020
• have business costs for which there is no other government support available
• maintain your employee headcount as at 13 July 2021.

Three different grant amounts will be available depending on the decline in turnover experienced over a minimum 2-week period from 26 June 2021 to 17 July 2021, compared to the same period in 2019:

• $7,500 for a decline of 30% or more
• $10,500 for a decline of 50% or more
• $15,000 for a decline of 70% or more.

What you need

• a MyServiceNSW Account
• your proof of identity
• your valid ABN/ACN number
• your business banking details for payment
• Australian income tax return or Notice of Assessment
• qualified accountant, registered tax agent or registered BAS agent details.

Evidence to support eligibility

If your business is on the highly impacted industries list, you'll be required to:

• declare that you meet the eligibility criteria
• provide details of your qualified accountant, registered tax agent or registered BAS agent
• submit an Australian income tax return, Notice of Assessment or other documentation demonstrating the business had an aggregated annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million (inclusive) for the year ended 30 June 2020 lodge other supporting documents as required to demonstrate you meet the eligibility criteria.

If you're eligible for the $15,000 grant, to receive the full amount, you must submit evidence that you experienced the relevant decline in turnover in the specified period.

If your business is not on the highly impacted industries list, you must:

• declare that you meet the eligibility criteria
• submit evidence that you experienced the relevant decline in turnover in the specified period
• submit an Australian income tax return, Notice of Assessment or other documentation demonstrating the business had an aggregated annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million (inclusive) for the year ended 30 June 2020 lodge other supporting documents as required to demonstrate you meet the eligibility criteria.

To show evidence of this decline in turnover, you'll need to submit a letter from a qualified accountant, registered tax agent or registered BAS agent, using the template provided.

Alternative circumstances

If your business does not meet all of the eligibility criteria, you may be able to apply for the grant if you can provide evidence to support the alternative circumstances outlined in the guidelines. Auditing requirements Successful applications may be subject to an audit. Service NSW can request a combination of the following documents to support its determination of eligibility and use of funds in accordance with this grant's Terms and Conditions:

• accountant’s letter
• prior BAS statements
• income tax declarations
• audited profit and loss statements
• receipts and invoices from purchases.

You'll need to keep all documentary evidence relied upon in your application for a minimum of 5 years.

Proof of identity

Two proof of identity documents are required. They may include:

• Australian driver licence
• Medicare card
• Australian passport
• Australian birth certificate
• Australian travel visa
• Australian citizenship certificate
• Australian certificate of registration by descent
• Australian ImmiCard.

How to apply

Online applications are expected to open on 19 July 2021.

More information

• Only one grant is available for a single ABN.
• Multiple businesses under a single ABN are only eligible for one grant.
• The 2021 COVID-19 business grant cannot be used to cover expenses for which other government support is available, such as government fees and charges that would be covered by the small business fees and charges rebate.
• If you've received previous COVID-19 business grants, you can still apply for this new grant if you meet the eligibility criteria.
• The relevant COVID-19 restrictions are:

1. Public Health (COVID-19 Temporary Movement and Gathering Restrictions) Order 2021 issued on 26 June 2021
2. stay-at-home order issued on 25 June 2021
3. stay-at-home order issued on 27 May 2021.

Contact your PinnacleHPC accountant for further information and to assist with the application process.

Please note a reasonable fee (to be kept at a minimum) in view of the current circumstances will be charged to cover our time in reviewing your eligibility and preparing the necessary accountants letter for this grant.