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Land Tax Relief (Corona Virus 2020 – COVID-19)

The Victorian Government and State Revenue Office (SRO) of Victoria has recently announce a “land tax relief” reduction of up to 25% and deferral in payment due date. To read the full guidelines please open the link here, or watch the video here. Alternatively a summary is as below.

Oceantralian Summary

25% reduction in land tax.
Payment defer up to 31st of March 2021 for their 2020 land tax assessment.

Eligibility

If property is tenant:

  • Tenant’s cannot normal rent due to be coronavirus.
  • Landlord & tenants agreed to a reduced rent.
  • Rent reduction (in dollar terms) must be at least 25% of the 2020 proportional tax for that property.
  • (For commercial property please see Jobkeeper and SRO Article)

Supporting Documents Required:

  1. Lease agreement or written evidence of lease and rent before coronavirus pandemic.
  2. Written evidence of rent reduction or waiver as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
  3. Any other supporting documents.

If property is NOT tenanted:

  • Property is available for lease/rent.
  • Tenant is not secured due to coronavirus.

Supporting Documents Required:

  1. Date of property become available for rent.
  2. Advertisement of rental amount and date of advertisement (if applicable) and evidence of advert.
  3. Property manager agreement (if applicable)
  4. Any other supporting documents.

To apply, please visit the State Revenue Office (SRO) (click me)


Need help? We can help you:

  • Applying for Land Tax relief
  • Property management & tenant
  • Further inquiry or question?

Contact us

Alternatively, book in for an appointment to see us: Contact us: https://oceantralian.com/contact/

Import our Contact to your phone, outlook or contact sheet.




Jobkeeper (Corona Virus 2020 – COVID-19)

The Australia Government has introduced a number of support for business that is greatly affected by the coronavirus. The best place for more information is at Business.gov.au (click me).

Oceantralian Summary

This article is relevant to Business Owners (Employers) and Sole Trader. Employee may also be interested in this article to assists your Employers in applying for this scheme. Please note that Not-for-profit organization and high threshold business will not be summarize in this article.

This article will be relevant only to the JobKeeper Scheme, please read the full page here.

The Jobkkeeper Payment or Scheme is as follow:

“Under the JobKeeper Payment, businesses impacted by the coronavirus will be able to access a subsidy to continue paying their employees. The Government will provide a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee until 27 September 2020.”

Which is approximately maximum 6 months time, this may be changes in the future. Please see example here on how it can help your business. Click me.

JobKeeper Eligibility

  1. On 1st of March 2020, you carried business in Australia.
  2. Employed at least 1 eligible employee on 1st of March 2020.
  3. This employee is currently employed by your business that you will be claiming for.
  4. Your business has 30% fall in turnover (aggregated $1 billion or less)
  5. Not an ineligible business categories.

For Sole Trader the criteria is in most part the same, except you nominated yourself instead of your employee.


Calculating turnover

Please see your Accounting if you need help with calculation.

The turnover calculation is based on GST turnover (even if you are not registered for GST). For businesses with multiple entities, GST is aggregated.

Eligible employees

  1. Employed by your on the 1st of March 2020.
  2. Permanent full-time or part-time. If casual please see guide:
  3. At least 16 years old and is an Australian residents on/at 1st of March 2020.
  4. Employee nominate the employer for Jobkeeper (only 1 employer can be nominated)
  5. Not an recipient of conflicting payment.
  6. Were not employed after the 1st of March 2020 or left Employment before 1st of March 2020.

Timing

Starting from 20th of April you may Apply for Jobkeeper scheme. Previously Jobkeeper enrollment date is by 30th April 2020, however it has been extended to the 31st May 2020.

How to Apply?

You will need to apply with Australian Taxation Office (ATO), a comprehensive guide is found here.

For some business you may have to:

  1. Registered for myGOVID (require a Smartphone: Android or Apple)
  2. Linked myGOVID with your Business (RAM)
  3. Access your Business Portal (update your business detail if applicable).
  4. Signed up Nomination Notice form for each individual employee you are claiming for. Check your eligibility.
  5. Enroll for the Jobkeeper Scheme.
  6. Before submitting, ensure you are eligible for the Jobkeeper Payment. Submit your Application. Be sure to keep a receipt of your application (print or save). You may required this documents to provide to your Lessor for business rent relief.
  7. Make monthly Business declaration.

Contact your Accountant if you require helps.


Need help? We can help you:

  • Create myGOVID and registration for your Business Portal.
  • Administration including Application and Form.
  • Refer you to an Accountant or BAS Agent.
  • Further inquiry or question?

Contact us

Alternatively, book in for an appointment to see us: Contact us: https://oceantralian.com/contact/

Import our Contact to your phone, outlook or contact sheet.




Corona Virus 2020 (COVID-19) – General Information

This article main purpose to provide various information for various individual or entity. It does not serve the purpose on always being up to date but as a general collection of information to help collate the various information of interest. Please note this is written from an Victorian resident perspective and not may be relevant for other state, however it may provide you an insight that is relevant to your state.


Oceantralian Summary

This article will be update over time so be sure to bookmark or open this page for review or refresh. It will be broken down into a few section as follow:

  1. Important website to relevant Coronavirus and Victoria resident.
  2. Relevant interest for certain parties.

Important Website

State of Victoriahttps://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus – Most important website to stay up to date and various information

Youtube – COVID-19 news section. This section will show relevant COVID-19 news. News video is helpful for an visual-aid and they are usually summarized format.

Business AustraliaFor all businesses that is affected by the Coronavirus.

Know Your Council – Find out how your council can help you.

Department of Health and Human Services – For services to help you with health services, age care, communities, etc.

Job Opportunities – If you are affected due to lost of employment, this portal list a various job opportunities.

Consumer Affairs Victoria – Advice in the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic/disaster and many other consumer information.


Interested Party, Individual and Entity

This section explore some assistant that may be of interested to you.

Landlord, Home Owner, Property Investor

  • Contact your bank for Home Loan pause repayment.
  • Contact your Council and Water provider if you need further time to pay for your rate.
  • Contact your utilities provider.
  • Check if you are eligible for Land tax relief.
  • Filling out forms? Talking on your behalf? Perhaps we (Oceantralian) can help.

Tenant & Landlord

  • Discuss with your Landlord and Tenant in an agreement for rents relief.
  • Need a temporary residents? Negotiation? Perhaps we (Oceantralian) can help.

Business Owner, Employers & Companies

  • Speak with your Landlord if your business have a lease.
  • Applies for JobKeeper Payment scheme.
  • Move your business to a virtual at home platform.
  • Applies for a Business Loan.
  • Check if you are eligible for a Grant.
  • Certain business license fees may be waived or reduce.
  • Check for a GST ATO Tax Relief.
  • Working from home? Make sure your office is safe from unwanted office visitor.
  • Contact your Accountants or a Financial Consultant. Or perhaps we (Oceantralian) can also help.

Students

  • Differentiate between when is school, education and holiday.
  • Study as you would, learn as you would.
  • Make you parent proud, don’t make them worry further.
  • Need help with Computer? Tutor? Homework? Perhaps we can help.

General

  1. Contact your bank if you have loans (personal) or credit card for a Pause in repayment.
  2. Applies for a JobSeeker payment with Centrelink.
  3. Keep up your fitness with exercise and walk. Gather some vitamin in your body during daylight from the sun.

FAQs & Question & General Information

Why must are “isolate” or “social distancing”? To protect you from being infect with this virus. Less exposure mean you are less likely to be infected, protecting you and your love one.

What are mask and hand-washing for? To lower your chance to being infected. Mask (require a filter type) may prevent the virus from entering through your nose and mouth. Washing you hands will help kill the virus if your hand came in contact with the virus, as we may often touch our nose and mouth we are may be using our hand to infected hand to give yourself an infection. In summary, to protect you.

Feeling sick or any sign of not in full health? Get tested right away, use the online assessment tool and seek further help on the 24-hour coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398.

General Etiquette

  1. Refrain from stockpile supplies and goods. For example: toilet paper, pasta, rice, etc.
  2. Respect everyone during interaction.
  3. Be a role model to your community, family and friends. E.g. social distance length even at home, out in public, etc.
  4. Support the less advantage opportunities. E.g. Check your neighbour if they need shopping done. Share you supplies. Allow them to go before you.


Need help? We can help you:

  • Help you understand information.
  • We are available online and at our office. Need us to come see you? Let us know.
  • Further inquiry or question?

Contact us

Alternatively, book in for an appointment to see us: Contact us: https://oceantralian.com/contact/

Import our Contact to your phone, outlook or contact sheet.




myGovID

This article is relevant to Business Owner (including services provider or sole trade) or administrations.

Starting in early 2020, myGOVID (which is different for individual who use myGOV) will begin to be implemented. This initial will phase out what is known as AusKey, a secret password that Business Owner and Company use when communicating with the Australia Taxation Office (ATO) or Government entity such as ASIC, Business Licensing Authority, etc.

In order to use you must have a capability “Smart” Phone (Android or Apple) as it require an App to be use.

myGOVID will be what is the future standard in the upgrade to digital technology. What is can be use for (plan and currently available is list here: https://www.mygovid.gov.au/what-can-i-use-it-for )

Interestingly, the Relationship Authorisation Manager feature will allow you as the business owner to assign Authorize admin.

If you require support, you are recommend to use the Help Menu, alternatively the support phone number: 1300 287 539

As a business entity, at Oceantralian we use myGovID too. If you require assistant, book in a meeting with us for non-official support.


Read more on myGOVID here: https://www.mygovid.gov.au

Below are list of usage (excerpt) that myGovID will be use for:

Relationship Authorisation Manager

An Australian Government authorisation service that allows you to act on
behalf of a business online. Managed by the Australian Taxation Office.

ABR Explorer

An online analytics tool for government
agencies to search, query, visualise and download Australia Business Register
(ABR) data.

Australian Business Register (ABR)

Update Australian business number (ABN)
details and manage authorisations at the ABR website. The ABR stores details
about businesses and organisations when they register for an ABN.

Aged Care Financial Report (ACFR) Portal

A secure portal for aged care providers to
complete and submit annual financial and prudential data. Managed by Forms
Administration on behalf of the Department of Health.

Business Portal

A system for businesses to report and manage
their tax and superannuation. Managed by the Australian Taxation Office.

Business Registration Service

An online service used to access personal
insolvency information about individuals directly from the National Personal
Insolvency Index (NPII). Managed by the Australian Financial Security
Authority.

Creditor Bankruptcy Notices

An online service to apply to the Official
Receiver for a bankruptcy notice if someone owes you (the creditor) $5,000 or
more. Managed by the Australian Financial Security Authority.

Debt Agreements Online

An online service for debt agreement
administrators and creditors to submit debt agreement forms and view debt
agreement details. Managed by the Australian Financial Security Authority.

Hearing Services Online Portal

A secure portal for contracted providers under
the Hearing Services Program to manage clients and make claims. Managed by the
Department of Health.

My Aged Care Provider Portal

A secure portal for My Aged Care Service
Providers to maintain service information for aged care service offerings,
manage service referrals and wait lists, and monitor clients throughout service
delivery. Managed by the Department of Health.

Online services for agents

A system for tax and BAS agents to access
services and client information. Managed by the Australian Taxation Office.

The Grant Recipient Portal

A secure portal for community grant recipients
to report and manage grant transactions and interactions. Managed by the
Department of Social Services.

Unique Student Identifier (USI) Organisation Portal

Used by registered training and education
organisations, and related bodies to create, verify and find unique student
identifiers. Managed by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.




Word, Definition & Meaning

Plan of Subdivision – Common terms

The following is a list of terms used in relation to plans of subdivision:

  • PS – Plan of Subdivision
  • LP – Lodged Plan
  • RP – Registered Plan
  • SP – Strata Plan
  • CS – Cluster Subdivision
  • PC – Plan of Consolidation
  • CP – Plan of Consolidation



Car Registration

To drive a vehicle on public roads in Victoria, it must be registered. The registration (rego) can be from a period of 3, 6 or 12 months.

 

In 2014 VicRoads has stop printing the majority printing of Registration Sticker. This changed has resulted in driver driving unregistered vehicles, resulting in fine, penalty, toll, lock, or being stop by law enforcement (Police!).

To prevent you from headache, our office is able to print & produce and give you a “Car Registration” sticker to serve as a reminder of when your registration is expired and to help support.

For only $2 gold coin you will be able to pick up your sticker within 24 hours of order.

Order for your family 3 vehicles for one note of $5.

If you would like to your order to be mailed to your postal address (subject to stamp fee), $1.

Need to be reminded via Mobile Phone Text Message SMS before your vehicle expire? For only $1 you will be reminded before it is expired before expire date.

Our primary service is to provide you with Registration Reminder Sticker. Any other service listed below we can only provide to you on a quota basis.

If you require your registration to be made on your behalf for any reason, for example:

  • The nearest VicRoad is too far;
  • You don’t know how to use online internet payment;
  • You have cash;
  • You have a cheque;

The fee will be $5.

If you have financial difficulties, for example:

  • Your salary won’t come until next week;
  • Too many bills within short period;
  • Unexpected spending;
  • Short of finance.

We may able to help cover your bills until you are able to source income. There will be an administration fee.

 




Souvenir & Memorabilia Keepsake

Welcome to the digital age, where everything is internet, mobile phone and email. Moving and following this age, we lose our sense of time and may even lose certain joy and memories.

Like photograph that we use to print, share and talk about in our album, we sometime don’t keep bigger items that should be keep. One such example is your home, one that you work hard for, strive to own your very own property and live the Australian living standards.

To bring back to these fond times where we are still able to reminiscence the joy of that physical touch, that being at the right time and right moment. Capture and recapture that feeling once again by having one more keepsake to hold for your family.

Sometime a photo is more than just monetary value, but a keepsake for your family.




Wills, Probates & Inheritance

What is a Will?

A will takes effect when you die. It can cover things like how your assets will be shared, who will look after your children if they are still young, what trusts you want established, how much money you’d like donated to charities and even instructions about your funeral.

Why make a Will?

Your life is an accumulation of experience, bond and investment. These are build up in term of family, assets and security; home, car, superannuation, rare metal, insurance, jewelery, insurance, boat and other investments.

Making a Will is the only way to be certain that these lifetime’s work is passed on to the people you love and care for. It provide security, responsibility and lessen the difficulties upon your death.

The Will not only apply in term of physical asset but may also allow you to nominate the guardians for your children who are still a minor (18 years old) so that their education and well being is maintain.

Why is a Will important?

Making a Will is a highly specialised task, often with complex financial, legal and tax implications that need to be considered to ensure that your  estate is distributed as you wish.

Who will be your Power of Attorney?

Our legal department will be able to provide you the the necessary time to manage your affairs, including the legal, accounting and taxation matters; the Power of Attorney or Executor will be;

  • maintaining the Will;
  • ascertaining and securing assets;
  • proving the Will in court;
  • discharge debts;
  • establishing trusts;
  • attending to income tax returns and capital gains tax issues;
  • and distributing and transferring assets according to the terms of the Will.

Where should I keep my Will?

Your Will is a valuable document, just like your home’s Title, Australian Citizenship or Birth Certificate and should be kept in a safe place. We are able to retained your documents in a secure location.

Important to be note:

Keep your will valid and up to date as your legal rights change, specifically if you marry, divorce or separate; have children or grandchildren; if your spouse or beneficiaries die; or if you have a significant change in financial circumstances.

Your legal and financial housekeeping

Once your paperwork is in order, it will help your executor and family if you list the legal documents you have and where they are kept.

Keeping a record of your personal information and notes on how your legal documents, assets and investments are arranged can also help you.

Here is a list of key documents to keep:

  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • Will
  • Enduring power of attorney
  • Advance healthcare directive (also called a living will)
  • Personal insurance policies
  • House deeds or Title
  • Home and contents insurance
  • Deeds and insurance policies for any other real estate you own
  • Bank account details
  • Superannuation papers
  • Investment documents (securities, share certificates, bonds)
  • Medicare card
  • Medical insurance details
  • Pensioner concession card
  • Any pre-payments of funeral investments



Safe Storage Facility

Why Use Safe Storage Facility?

To protect and prevent your important and valuable items from being lost, stolen or damage. Storage facility service provide assurance for further headache, worry or identify fraud.

  • Safe – Fire and water prevention.
  • Security – Off site from your home or office.
  • Monitor – On site monitoring of the storage with our staff and/or camera security.
  • Online Retrieval – Can retrieve a digital scan copy of your document online (via Internet) with our internet portal.
  • Offline Retrieval – At any time you require you documents to be return. Make an appointment with us for it retrieval.
  • Space, size and location – Reduce your needs for cabinet, cupboard, drawer. Our facility is delicate to provide space.

What Can Be Stored?

  • Certificate of Title;
  • Passport;
  • Citizenship;
  • Birth Certificate;
  • Driver License (We recommend a Copy Only as Driver License is a primary ID that is frequently used);
  • Tax File;
  • Company Private USB Digital Key;
  • Harddrive / HDD / Computer Storage / USB Stick; Memory Card; Backup;
  • Cheque Book or Cheque;
  • Wills;
  • Marriage Certificates;
  • Others: photos, letters, negatives, personal items.

Who can use our service?

Our storage facility is catered for bulk storage for businesses such as Solicitors, Barrister, Lawyers, Conveyancer and Mortgagor.

We do accept individual who require to use our storage facility to hold their own important documents however conditions apply.

Do you require extra service?

  • Hand delivery and pickup.
  • I.T support.
  • Handover to your client.
  • Insurance.

What we do not stored?

  • Fire Arms; Ammunition;
  • Explosive;
  • Fraudulent Identification.
  • Any individual item that is larger than 1500cm3

Do you need to store your asset?

Our service is specialized in supporting businesses however individual who required to store other form of asset can use our Vault services. We recommend you to use the other Safety Deposit box or Vault such as as the Bank (ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, NAB, etc.) However, the wait times for individual to have access to this services are dependent on availability. Wait time could be at 2 years minimum waiting.

Alternatively, you can rent out one of our Vault facility which is stored offsite from our Safe Storage facility. Items that you can stored in our Vault are as follow:

  • Gold, Silver or any other form of rare metals;
  • Jewellery;
  • Cash;
  • Heirlooms;
  • Bank/Credit/Debit Card.

Contact us for consultant on how we can storage your valuable documents or asset.




Oceantralian’s Buying First Property

Buying


In-confidential

Disclaimer: This article does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. It is intended only to provide a summary and general overview based on update, change and news within the industry.