​COVID-19 ​Taxi Industry Assistance



​Taxi Industry Assistance During COVID-19
Updated 5 April 2020

Disclaimer: The information provided by ACT Cabs below is general and should not be relied upon to determine whether or not each item will be applicable for your individual circumstances. You should consult with a registered Accountant before making an informed decision.

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Taxi Industry Members Who Are Sole Traders
For the purposes of the Australian Government’s measures to support businesses impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19), the benefits available to sole traders should be available to:
  • taxi drivers whose businesses comprise plying a taxi for hire that they bail (i.e. as a bailee driver), lease or own;
  • taxi operators whose businesses comprise bailing or leasing taxis to self-employed taxi drivers;
  • taxi licence owners who businesses comprise leasing taxi licences to taxi operators.


Definition of Sole Traders
To determine whether you are a sole trader, please refer to the ATO’s definition below. More information available on the ATO’s website.
The ATO considers you a sole trader if you:
  • use your individual tax file number when lodging your income tax return;
  • report all your income in your individual tax return, using the section for business items to show your business income and expenses (there is no separate business tax return for sole traders);
  • use your ABN for all your business dealings;
  • are registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST);
  • pay tax at the same income tax rates as individual taxpayers;
  • may claim a deduction for any personal super contributions you make after notifying your fund.


Government Support for Sole Traders
If you're a sole trader you are eligible for:

JobKeeper Payment for Sole Traders
Given the current economic conditions, taxi drivers, operators and owners who are sole traders
are likely to meet the eligibility requirement of their turnover having reduced by more than 30 per
cent relative to a comparable period a year ago (of at least a month). Following registration with
the ATO, the Government will provide $1,500 per fortnight per eligible employee, or for the sole
trader in the case of no employees, for a maximum of 6 months.

For more information, click JobKeeper Payment for Sole Traders (link: https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-Support_for_sole_traders_1.pdf)


The Increased Instant Asset Write-off
The Government has increased the instant asset write off threshold from $30,000 to $150,000
for assets that are either installed or ready for first use by 30 June 2020.

For more information, click Increased Instant Asset Write-off (link: https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/Increasing-the-Instant-Asset-Write-Off)


Backing Business Investment (BBI)
A time limited 15-month investment incentive (through to 30 June 2021) to support business investment and economic growth over the short term, by accelerating depreciation deductions. Taxi operators who are sole traders will be able to deduct 50 per cent of the cost of an eligible asset on installation, with existing depreciation rules applying to the balance of the asset’s cost.

For more information, click Backing Business Investment. (Link: https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/Backing-Business-Investment)


Increased and Accelerated Income Support
The Government is temporarily expanding eligibility to income support payments and
establishing a new, time-limited Coronavirus supplement to be paid at a rate of $550 per
fortnight. This supplement will be paid to (new and existing) recipients of the eligible payment
categories (e.g. Jobseeker Payment) for the next six months.

For more information, click Increased and Accelerated Income Support (Link: https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/increased-and-accelerated-income-support)


SME Guarantee Scheme
This will provide businesses with funding to meet immediate cash flow needs, by further
enhancing lenders’ willingness and ability to provide credit. Businesses with a turnover of up to
$50 million will be eligible to receive these loans.

For more information, click Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme (Link: https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/Supporting-the-flow-of-credit)


Early Access to Superannuation
Taxi drivers, operators and owners who are sole traders can access up to $10,000 of their
superannuation in 2019-20 and a further $10,000 in 2020-21. Application for early release of
superannuation can be made from mid-April 2020.

For more information, click Early Access to Your Superannuation (link: https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Super/Withdrawing-and-using-your-super/Early-access-to-your-super/)


Tax Support
The ATO is providing relief for some tax obligations for businesses affected by the outbreak, on
a case-by-case basis. Contact the ATO’s Emergency Support Infoline for businesses on 1800
806 218 for more information or to request this help.


Bank Finance Support
The Australian Banking Association has announced that Australian banks will defer loan
repayments for small businesses affected by COVID-19 for 6 months.

For more information, seek advice from your bank manager.


Mental Health and Well-being
Looking after your mental health is important during difficult times, such as the one currently
confronting taxi industry members. If you are feeling anxious about COVID-19 there are positive
steps you can and should take to get help.

The Department of Health has a dedicated website on how to look after your mental wellbeing
during a crisis. See www.health.gov.au for more information.

Other contacts for mental health and wellbeing include:
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636


Staying Up-to-Date
To stay up to date with the current situation and its developments, we encourage taxi drivers and operators to download the “Coronavirus Australia” app available for iOS and Android. We also recommend joining the Australian Government Whatsapp channel also available for iOS and Android, via text messaging or by going to http://aus.gov.au/whatsapp.