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COVID-19 support: quick tax guide

A guide to COVID-19 support payments that were available to individuals and business and whether they were taxable.

Last updated 9 April 2026

Individuals

Table 1: Support payments for individuals

Support

For

Taxable

Next steps

High-Risk Settings Pandemic Payment

Eligible individuals unable to earn income due to COVID-19 that work in a high-risk setting.

Yes

Check the amount you received.

Manually include as assessable income in your tax return. 

COVID-19 Disaster Payment

Closed

Individuals unable to earn income because state or territory health orders prevent them from working in their usual employment.

No

Don't include in your tax return.

 

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment

Closed

Eligible individuals unable to earn income because they:

  • self-isolated or quarantined at home
  • cared for someone with COVID-19. 

Yes

Check the amount you received.

Manually include as assessable income in your tax return.

 

JobKeeper

Closed

Employees of eligible businesses and not-for-profits significantly affected by COVID-19 that received an amount of JobKeeper.

Yes

include as assessable income in your tax return at either 'salary or wages' or as an 'allowance' (or top up) for employees. 

Business

Table 2: Supports for businesses

Support

For

Taxable

Next steps

Recovery loans to support businesses

Eligible applicants

No

Don't include as 'business income' in your tax return. 

JobMaker Hiring Credit

Closed

Eligible employers

Yes

Include as 'business income' in your tax return.

GST doesn't apply. 

Payments to support businesses affected by COVID-19 (for example the NSW 2021 COVID-19 JobSaver payment)

Eligible businesses affected by COVID-19

Read more

Payments are taxable, unless eligibility criteria are met that will cause the payment to be non-taxable.

GST doesn't apply. 

State government voucher subsidy scheme

Participating businesses affected by COVID-19

Yes

Include as 'business income' in your tax return.

GST reporting does apply.

Payroll tax relief

Eligible businesses

Read more

There are a range of factors you will need to consider, see Payroll tax relief.

Land tax relief

Businesses provided land tax relief in states and territories impacted by COVID-19

Read more

There are a range of factors you will need to consider, see Land tax relief.

Rent relief

Commercial tenants in government-owned properties in some states and territories

Read more

There are a range of factors you will need to consider, see Rent relief

Electricity rebates

Businesses offered the rebate

No

Don't include as 'business income' in your tax return.

Reduce your deductions for electricity by the rebate amount.

Grants to support the creative economy

Eligible organisations in the arts sector

Yes

Include as assessable income in your tax return.

GST doesn't apply.

Concessional loans to support the creative economy

Eligible organisations in the arts sector

No

Don't include this loan as assessable income in your tax return.

GST doesn't apply.

Cash flow boost

Eligible small and medium businesses and not-for-profits

No

Don't include in your tax return.

 

JobKeeper

Closed on 28 March 2021

Eligible businesses, sole traders and not-for-profits significantly affected by COVID-19

Yes

Include as 'business income' in your tax return.

Child care Transition Payment

Closed on 27 September 2020

Approved early childhood education and care providers for 13 July 2020 to 27 September 2020

Yes

Include as 'business income' in your tax return.

The payment is for a GST-free supply.

Consumer Travel Support Program

Applications closed 13 March 2021

Eligible travel agents and tour arrangement service providers

Yes

Include as 'business income' in your tax return.

GST doesn't apply.

 

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