Opening Address
The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed new members.
FBT and working from home expenditure
The group discussed the recently circulated draft guidance, COVID-19 and working from home benefits, which broadly reflects discussions held during the extra-ordinary September meeting of the working group. These discussions included:
- whether the amount of $300 stated in the guidance included GST
- residual benefits
- more ongoing work from home arrangements
- whether a 4-week diary is required
- inclusion of a health care services benefit example in the guidance.
Working group members were invited to provide further feedback and comments regarding the draft guidance after the meeting.
Car parking
Members discussed an update to the 'FBT and COVID-19' web guidance to cover common car parking scenarios, for example:
- the 'work car park' has been closed
- the commercial parking station/s within one kilometre are all closed for a period or have stopped charging
- the commercial parking station within one kilometre are open but offering discounted parking below the threshold amount.
Journal entries to record employee contributions
Members discussed the effect of employees making contributions to benefits received by journal entry and were invited to make further submissions or comments after the meeting.
FBT working group annual review
As part of the review, external members will be invited to provide their views and input in response to general questions regarding the overall efficiency and effectiveness of group operations.
FBT gap
Members were presented with an overview of the recently released gap, including information with regards to various subpopulations and relevant market segments.
Action items
Action item |
Working group members are invited to provide their feedback and comments on the guidance for employers, ‘COVID-19 and working from home benefits’. |
Due date |
18 November 2020 |
Responsibility |
Working group members |
Action item details |
Including feedback, suggestions, comments. |
Action item |
Working group members to provide feedback and comments on the use of journal entries for recording employee contributions to benefits received. |
Due date |
Next meeting |
Responsibility |
Working group members |
Action item details |
Feedback, comments, suggestions for further input. |
Action item |
Working group members to provide their responses to the FBT annual review questionnaire. |
Due date |
18 December 2020 |
Responsibility |
Working group members |
Action item details |
Feedback, comments, suggestions for further input. |