Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced a greater tax exempt rebate for businesses that employ apprentices and trainees during the 2016-2017 financial year.
“While apprentice and trainee wages are generally exempt from payroll tax, employers can claim the rebate based on the total exempt wages bill of any new apprentices or trainees they employ,” she said during the Budget estimate hearing yesterday (19 July)
For this financial year, all Queensland employers will be able to claim a 50% rebate if they have apprentices or trainees amongst staff, she added.
“By doubling the rebate my Government is making it even more attractive for employers to hire and keep apprentices and trainees and grow their businesses.”
In order to be eligible for this tax exemption, firms are to employ apprentices or trainees who are registered under the Further Education and Training Act. Wages should be paid either during the course of the apprenticeship or in the employee’s capacity as a trainee.
For trainees, the individual cannot have worked for the employer for more than three months (if fulltime) or twelve months (if part-time or casual) prior to commencing the traineeship.
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