The South Australian Business Chamber is urging the South Australian State Government to extend the same payroll tax amnesty to all allied health businesses as is currently available to contracted general practitioners (GPs) in medical practices.
This call to action comes in response to a recent court ruling in another state, which determined that contractors in medical practices can be considered employees for payroll tax purposes. This revelation has raised concerns within the allied health sector about potential payroll tax liability.
In a letter addressed to Treasurer Stephen Mullighan earlier this month, the South Australian Business Chamber emphasised the need to broaden the payroll tax amnesty currently available to contracted GPs to include all contractors in medical practices (such as dentists and physiotherapists), which often have similar business structures.
Kendall Crowe, the South Australian Business Chamber’s General Manager of Policy and Advocacy, says there is no valid reason to differentiate between general practitioners and other medical contractors when it comes to payroll tax conditions.
“While we acknowledge the government’s support for general practitioners through the amnesty, it is imperative that all medical professionals receive equal treatment in terms of payroll tax,” said Ms Crowe. “And it’s not just future payroll tax liability that’s concerning.
“We understand that medical practices unable to receive the amnesty also risk audits for unpaid payroll taxes over the past five years, along with associated penalties and interest charges. Businesses may have no other choice but to transfer these costs to their patients. This comes at a time when many people are grappling with the rising cost of living,” added Ms Crowe.
As of the time of this article, the South Australian Business Chamber has not received a response from the Treasurer.
