We would like to extend our thoughts to those facing hardship & who may have been impacted by the severe bushfire conditions currently on-going throughout Queensland.
Our firm has a long-standing history working with clients in regional Queensland areas - supporting a variety of industry sectors, and as such, we have compiled a list of the financial resources and support/assistance currently available to those in need - please see below:
Australian Tax Office
The ATO is urging those affected to concentrate on the situation at hand rather than their tax affairs, and to get in contact when ready.
It has also been announced that the ATO will provide an automatic two-month lodgement and payment deferral for postcodes in local Government areas of Noosa & Livingstone - therefore those located in these areas will not need to contact the ATO.
Additionally, the ATO may provide assistance to those impacted across the following areas:
- Give extra time to pay your debt or lodge tax form such as Activity Statements
- Assistance in finding lost Tax File Number
- Re-issue Income Tax Returns, Activity Statements, and Notices of Assessments
- Help re-construct tax records that are lost or damaged
- Fast track your refund
- Set up a payment plan tailored to individual circumstances, including interest free period
- Remit penalties or interest charged during the time you have been affected
QLD Government
The Queensland Government has announced that Primary Producers impacted by the bushfires can apply for disaster recovery assistance.
Primary Producers suffering severe damage can apply for -
- Individual Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) Declaration - giving access to freight subsidies up to $5,000 from the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries; and
- Queensland Rural & Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) Disaster Assistance loans of up to $250,000 available at a concessional interest rate.
Commonwealth / State Government Funding Initiatives
Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA)
For the bushfire which impacted eastern Queensland between 8th - 12th November 2019, the available assistance measure include:
| Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme |
Available in local Government areas of:
|
| Essential Services Safety & Reconnection Scheme |
Available in local Government areas of:
|
| Counter Disaster Operations |
Available in local Government areas of:
|
For more information - visit: www.qra.qld.gov.au & www.disasterassist.gov.au
Disaster Recovery Allowance
The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) provides income support payments to employees, primary producers, and sole traders who can demonstrate they have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the bushfires.
For further information on eligibility & Claim Form - Link
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) provides one-off financial assistance to eligible Australians adversely affected by the bushfires.
AGDRP is available for people who have been seriously injured, have lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, or are the immediate family members of a person who has died, as a direct result of the bushfires.
For further information - www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/help-emergency
Banking Institutions
Over the past week Australia's major banking institutions have announced that their Disaster Relief / Emergency Assistance packages' are available to customers who are facing financial difficulty as a result of the November 2019 bushfires in New South Wales and Queensland.
These resources & appropriate website links are outlined below:
%20-%20HubSpot%20(1).png)
