Apply for the small business fees and charges rebate

Introduction

If you’re a sole trader, the owner of a small business or a not-for-profit organisation in NSW, you may be eligible for a small business fees and charges rebate of $3,000.

This rebate helps businesses recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and encourages growth by reducing the cost of running a business. Eligible businesses or not-for-profits only need to apply for the rebate once, but can submit multiple claims until the full value of $3,000 is reached.

Funds can be used to offset the costs of eligible NSW and local government fees and charges due and paid from 1 March 2021. These include, but are not limited to:

• food authority licences
• liquor licences
• tradesperson licences
• event fees
• outdoor seating fees
• council rates
• road user tolls for business use.

View the full list of eligible fees and charges. This list is updated regularly.

Employing businesses can now claim 50% of the cost of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs) up to the full rebate value of $3,000 to help them assist their workers to test when required.

The rebate cannot be used for fines or penalties, fees and charges that have the key purpose of discouraging behaviours or inducing behaviour changes, Commonwealth government charges, rent on government premises, or taxes. See the guidelines for more information.

Note: If you’ve already registered for the rebate, you do not need to do anything – you will receive an automatic $1,000 increase to your rebate. Businesses newly registering will have a rebate of $3,000.

Eligible businesses and not-for-profit organisations have until 24 June 2022 to apply for the rebate. You can submit claims for eligible fees and charges until 30 June 2022.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this rebate, small businesses (including non-employing sole traders) and not-for-profit organisations must:

• have total Australian wages below the NSW Government 2020–21 payroll tax threshold of $1.2 million
• have an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in NSW and/or have business premises physically located and operating in NSW.

Only small businesses with employees are eligible to claim 50% of the cost of RATs, up to the rebate value of $3,000. Businesses without employees will not be able to use the rebate to claim the cost of RATs. If you are a sole trader with employees, we may ask for further information to assess your claim.

Note: Only one $3,000 rebate is available for each ABN.

What you need

To apply for the rebate, you’ll need:

• a MyServiceNSW Account
• your proof of identity
• your valid ABN/ACN
• your business banking details for payment.

You may need to supply supporting documentation when applying for the rebate and each time you make a claim.

When making a claim

• For each claim you make, you’ll need to provide an invoice or receipt that includes a business name, showing that you’ve paid the eligible fee or charge.
• Each claim must be made separately, and you can only upload one receipt or invoice per claim.
• You can submit each receipt or invoice only once.
• If you pay an invoice in instalments, such as council rates, you will need to submit a separate claim for each instalment and attach proof of payment, such as a receipt or bank statement. Your proof of payment must clearly show the payment date, supplier’s name and reference number.
• If you’re claiming road tolls for business use, you must include a statement from the corporate E-Toll or Linkt account associated with the business.

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

1. Check the eligibility criteria.
2. Have your documentation and evidence ready for uploading.
3. Select the ‘Apply online’ button.
4. Log in, or create your MyServiceNSW Account.
   Note: You cannot save and resume your application once you’ve started.
5. Select and verify your identity documents.
6. When your identity is verified, select ‘Continue’.
7. Confirm your contact details.
8. Enter the required information and upload any supporting documents, then select ‘Next’.
9. Enter your bank details.
10. Review your application.
11. Check the declaration boxes.
12. Select ‘Next’ to submit your application.

When you submit your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your application reference number. If you do not receive this email within 5 minutes after completing your application, please check your junk mail folder, and then call 13 77 88.

After your application is received, it will be reviewed by Service NSW. We will contact you if we need additional information to support your application. If your application is approved, you’ll receive a confirmation email with details of how to make a claim.

If you’re not able to apply online, please call 13 77 88.

APPLY ONLINE

Documents

• Small business fees and charges rebate accountant letter – DOCX
• Eligible fees and charges for the small business fees and charges rebate – PDF

Links

• Guidelines
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Collection Notice

SOURCE https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/small-business-fees-and-charges-rebate#eligibility