COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment Available!!!

Giles from GECA Chartered Accountants

The Government has announced on 8th February 2021 a new COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment (STAP) scheme which is available from 9th February 2021 through Work and Income.
This scheme is to help support employers for employees, and self-employed workers who:

• cannot work from home, and

• need to miss work to stay home while waiting for a COVID-19 test result (in line with public health guidance).

The STAP payment is a one-off payment of $350 for each eligible worker.

For each eligible worker, you can only apply for it once, in any 30-day period (unless a health official or doctor tells the worker to get another test).

GST is not payable on the STAP.

The STAP is to be processed within the same pay period it is received in with the pay run of the employee’s normal salary or wage for that pay period.

Any amount passed to employees by the employer is ‘excluded income, so this is not to be included as income or claimable as a deduction on their income tax return.

The employee pays tax on the amount they receive. Any excess amount not passed on to an employee is taxable and must be included on the employer's income tax return.

If you are unsure if you are eligible for the STAP payment OR need to include this income in your next income tax return, please contact your GECA Advisor.

Anyone who is unwell should call Healthline on 0800 611 116 or talk to their doctor or health provider. Businesses should encourage their workers to do this if they're unwell.

Useful Links:

workandincome.govt.nz...

www.beehive.govt.nz......

www.ird.govt.nz...