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GPs left in the dark amid looming payroll tax changes
NSW doctors are demanding answers, saying they have been given no information on the tax changes, which are now just days away.
More than 90% of respondents to a newsGP poll said they would be forced to raise their fees if they were hit with a payroll tax.
Sweeping changes to payroll tax are on the way for thousands of New South Wales doctors, but GPs say they are yet to receive any official information about just what they must do to prepare.
On 4 September the changes will be rolled out, after the State Government agreed to no retrospective tax, and an exemption tied to general practices meeting bulk-billing thresholds.
It comes after a 12-month pause of payroll tax audits end on the same day.
The State Government confirmed the change within its 2024–25 budget, as it works to ‘ensure the cost of seeing a GP remains accessible’.
The RACGP welcomed the rebate when it was announced in June this year, but now, with just days left until it goes live, the college says GPs have been left in the dark about exactly how the initiative will work.
RACGP NSW Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman labelled this ‘incredibly disappointing’, and ‘not good enough’.
‘This is nowhere near enough time for GPs to prepare and make changes that they may need, and it’s causing a great deal of unnecessary stress for GPs when we just want to get on with caring for our patients,’ Dr Hoffman said.
‘We appreciate that the NSW Government granted no retrospectivity for payroll tax on independent GPs, as this will help ensure practices aren’t sent bankrupt and can keep their doors open for patients.
‘However, practices may need to make changes in line with the new rules, and this will take time.’
It comes as differing payroll tax changes are on the way in individual states and territories, despite strong warnings from the college that this will lead to widespread practice closures.
Additionally, more than 90% of respondents to a newsGP poll said they would be forced to raise their fees if they were hit with the tax.
The RACGP had requested an extension of the NSW amnesty to allow the time needed for GPs to adapt, however, this request was declined.
Dr Hoffman said she is, once again, urging the NSW Government to provide an extension to the amnesty.
‘So GPs have time to make the changes they need to, and patient care is not disrupted,’ she said.
‘Now NSW GPs are stuck in a very difficult situation, knowing these changes are coming, but not knowing what they need to do to prepare.’
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