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Government to reinforce COVID Secure guidance with new direct legal obligations - 23/09/2020 To ensure workplaces that remain open prevent the spread of Coronavirus, the Government will introduce a direct legal obligation for businesses in England that requires them to follow the latest guidance to the letter.
Hospitality industry faces new restrictions to curb second wave - 23/09/2020 In recent weeks, many businesses within the hospitality sector have been enjoying a relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions.
Event and conference re-openings no longer allowed to go ahead - 23/09/2020 Plans for the phased reopening of stadiums, business events and conferences on 1 October will now no longer go ahead.
Government introduces legal duty to self-isolate, with big penalties for employers that prevent staff from following the rules - 23/09/2020 Speaking in the House of Commons, the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, has announced a legal duty to self-isolate for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 or are asked to do so by NHS Test and Trace.
Government reinstates advice to work from home ‘if you can’ - 23/09/2020 The Prime Minister has reinstated the advice for people to work from home if they can, following an increase in the incidence of Coronavirus in recent weeks.
HMRC sends thousands of letters to employers for ‘incorrect’ CJRS claims - 23/09/2020 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has been writing to thousands of employers, asking them to review the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) claims they have already made for errors – often without specifying what is wrong with the claim or indicating which claim is incorrect.
Chancellor requests OBR forecasts without setting Budget date, raising the prospect of delay - 23/09/2020 The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has taken the unusual step of requesting economic forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) without setting a date for the next Budget.
Key dates for Coronavirus support schemes, tax and Companies House - 14/08/2020 With numerous Government schemes open to businesses and individuals to help deal with the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak, there are more than 60 key dates to be aware of in the coming months where these schemes will end or change, plus the usual HMRC and Companies House deadlines.
Second round of Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) now open - 14/08/2020 The second round of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), which is worth 70 per cent of three months’ average trading profits, capped at £6,570, opened on Monday 17 August 2020.
HM Revenue & Customs issues ‘nudge’ letters to people suspected of having undeclared overseas assets - 14/08/2020 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has written to people suspected of having undeclared overseas assets, asking them to declare any currently undeclared overseas assets and to complete a certificate declaring the correct tax position.
Government extends childcare funding for families affected by the pandemic - 10/08/2020 The Government has extended childcare funding for families affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.
Green Homes Grant guidance published - 10/08/2020 The Government has published further details of the Green Homes Grant, announced by the Chancellor at his Summer Economic Update on 8 July.
Eat Out to Help Out opens for claims - 10/08/2020 With the first week of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme now concluded, the online portal is opening for pubs, bars, restaurants and certain other hospitality venues to claim funds from the scheme.
Key dates for Coronavirus support schemes - 10/08/2020 With numerous Government schemes open to businesses and individuals to help deal with the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak, there are dozens of key dates to be aware of in the coming months...
New legislation introduced to protect redundancy pay of furloughed workers - 30/07/2020 The Government has announced that from 31 July 2020 any furloughed worker that is made redundant will receive a payment based on their normal wage rather than the reduced rate of pay they may have received under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).
Government publishes detailed guidance on SDLT holiday - 16/07/2020 During his Plan for Jobs announcement, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a temporary eight-month cut in Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) that ensures there is not a charge on ‘any’ residential property transactions with a value under £500,000.
HM Revenue & Customs confirms first arrest in connection with furlough fraud - 16/07/2020 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has revealed that a 57-year-old man from Solihull in the West Midlands was arrested on 8 July on suspicion of a £495,000 furlough fraud relating to claims from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).
Reminder: Deferral of second payment on account - 16/07/2020 Those facing financial difficulty as a result of COVID-19 are being reminded that they can defer their second 2019/20 self-assessment payment on account, normally due at the end of July, until 31 January 2021.
HM Revenue & Customs updates Self-Employment Income Support Scheme guidance - 16/07/2020 Ahead of the second round of funding for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) opening for applications on 17 August, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has updated its guidance documents relating to the scheme.
Coronavirus apprenticeships guidance updated - 16/07/2020 Updated guidance from the Department for Education on apprenticeships during the Coronavirus crisis has been published and contains a number of announcements relating to employment arrangements for apprentices.
Download our updated Coronavirus Support grids - 16/07/2020 Following the Chancellor’s Summer Economic Update on Wednesday 8 July, we have comprehensively updated our Coronavirus Support Grid and our Coronavirus Support Timeframes.
Details of ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme confirmed - 10/07/2020 The Government has now confirmed details of the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme, announced by the Chancellor at his Summer Economic Update on Wednesday 8 July.
Guidance on hospitality and tourism VAT cut published - 10/07/2020 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has published guidance on temporary cuts to the rate of VAT from 20 per cent to five per cent from Wednesday 15 July 2020 to 12 January 2021 for certain goods and services in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Top 20 Tips for SMEs: Surviving and Thriving - 07/07/2020 The Covid crisis has changed so much. With many SMEs struggling to survive, we have prepared this guide to help SMEs focus on the things they need to survive in the first instance and thrive in the longer term.
Don’t forget to make an SEISS claim by 13 July! - 06/07/2020 Individuals eligible for the first Self-Employment Income Support (SEISS) grant must submit their claim by 13 July 2020.
HMRC offers clarity on usual hours calculation for flexible furlough - 03/07/2020 After some confusion regarding how flexible furlough should be calculated, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has offered new guidance to help employers work out usual working hours.
Coronavirus grants to businesses, employers and individuals are taxable - 29/06/2020 We are reminding businesses, employers, employees and self-employed individuals that grants from the various Government schemes to provide support during the Coronavirus outbreak are taxable in the same way as other income.
Guidance published on repaying Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme overpayments - 29/06/2020 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has published new guidance detailing how employers can repay Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) grants if they have over-claimed and therefore received an overpayment.
Key dates for Coronavirus support schemes - 29/06/2020 With numerous Government schemes open to businesses and individuals to help deal with the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak, there are dozens of key dates to be aware of in the coming months, including:
Government publishes new ‘Covid Secure’ guidance - 25/06/2020 The Government has published new ‘Covid Secure’ guidance following the announcement that businesses in England including pubs, bars, restaurants, hair salons, barbers, hotels and bed and breakfasts may reopen from 4 July 2020.
Remember to reinstate your VAT direct debit in time for your next payment - 25/06/2020 If you are using the option to defer VAT payments due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020 and you have cancelled your direct debit, you should now ensure that you reinstate your direct debit in enough time for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to take your next payment.
HM Revenue & Customs clarifies repayments of Corporation Tax and anticipated losses - 25/06/2020 With businesses across many sectors having been hit hard by the Coronavirus crisis, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has now said it will, in exceptional circumstances, consider claims for Corporation Tax repayments for prior periods based on anticipated losses, even before the conclusion of the current accounting period.
Employers given 30 days to confess to furlough fraud - 25/06/2020 Employers will be given 30 days to ‘confess’ to furlough abuses, with legislation being fast-tracked to allow HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to reclaim any furlough grant that is overpaid to employers, or that is not spent on wages as intended.
Guide: Everything SMEs need to know about Furlough - 23/06/2020 The government has announced a number of changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – more commonly referred to as ‘furlough’. These changes start to take effect from 1 July.
Download our Coronavirus support for business timeline - 23/06/2020 Since the beginning of the Coronavirus outbreak in the UK, the Government has announced numerous schemes to support employers and businesses.
HM Revenue & Customs publishes detailed guidance on calculating furlough claims from July onwards - 15/06/2020 HM Revenue & Customs has published detailed guidance on the operation of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) from 1 July 2020 onwards, including examples of how to calculate claims for the new flexible furlough option.
Further clarification issued on eligibility for second round of Self-Employment Income Support Scheme - 15/06/2020 The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced a series of changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) from July that will see furloughed employees able to return to work part-time, but with the value of Government support reducing gradually from August.
Government delays VAT Reverse Charge - 15/06/2020 The Government has announced that the controversial VAT Reverse Charge rules for the construction sector will be delayed until 1 March 2021 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
VAT deferral refund available - 15/06/2020 Taxpayers that wished to defer VAT payments, but did not cancel their Direct Debits in time can claim a refund, according to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Trade Credit Insurance backed by £10 billion guarantee - 15/06/2020 The Government will provide up to £10 billion of guarantees to Trade Credit Insurance schemes for business-to-business transactions.
Guidance on exceptional circumstances for higher rate SDLT refunds updated - 15/06/2020 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) guidance that sets out the exceptional circumstances allowing homeowners to claim higher rate Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) refunds beyond the usual timeframes has been updated.
Whistleblowers make almost 2,000 allegations of furlough fraud - 15/06/2020 Figures show that almost 2,000 allegations of furlough fraud have been made by whistleblowers against employers, with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) expected to impose steep penalties on businesses and directors found to have abused the scheme.
Employees returning from parental leave continue to be eligible for furlough scheme - 15/06/2020 Employees returning from statutory maternity and paternity leave in the next few months will remain eligible for furlough through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).
Chancellor unveils changes to furlough scheme - 01/06/2020 The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced a series of changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) from July that will see furloughed employees able to return to work part-time, but with the value of Government support reducing gradually from August.
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) extended - 01/06/2020 The Chancellor has confirmed the extension of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), with the announcement of a second and final grant to support the income of self-employed individuals during the Coronavirus outbreak.
What happens if my employees have to self-isolate following contact tracing? - 29/05/2020 Following the launch of the Government’s contact tracing system, employers should be prepared for the possibility of multiple employees being required to self-isolate if one employee from the workplace tests positive for Coronavirus.
Coronavirus Future Fund opens to applications - 21/05/2020 The Future Fund, which offers convertible loans of between £125,000 and £5 million to innovative companies facing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has opened.
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to open for claims - 21/05/2020 The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme (CSSPRS), announced by the Chancellor at the Budget, is set to open for claims from Tuesday 26 May 2020, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has said.
Maximum Government-backed loan amount for larger businesses increased to £200 million - 21/05/2020 The Government has announced an increase in the maximum amount that larger businesses can borrow under the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) from £50 million to £200 million.
Temporary tax freeze on home office expenditure announced - 21/05/2020 The Government has announced a temporary tax and National Insurance Contribution (NIC) exemption that ensures that home office equipment purchased by employees, where reimbursed by the employer, does not attract tax or NICs.
Tax treatment of expenses and benefits during COVID-19 - 21/05/2020 The Government has updated its guidance on taxable expenses and benefits when they are paid to employees during the Coronavirus crisis and how employers should report them to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Money laundering supervision payment deferrals and deregistration announced by HM Revenue & Customs - 21/05/2020 Businesses that require money laundering supervision from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) can receive a six-month payment deferral or deregistration where an annual fee is due between 1 May and 30 September 2020, it has been announced.
Changes to notifying an option to tax (VAT) on land and buildings during the Coronavirus pandemic - 21/05/2020 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has made temporary changes to the time limit and rules for notifying an option to tax (charge VAT on) land and buildings.
COVID-19 – An assessment of safe working arrangements - 18/05/2020 As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, businesses must assess how their work environment and arrangements can be made safe for employees and visitors.
“Covid Secure” practical workplace guidance for employers - 12/05/2020 The Covid Secure guidance published by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (DBEIS), covers workplaces that can re-open this week, as well as some the Government hopes will reopen on 1 June 2020:
Bounce Back Loan scheme is now live – apply today - 04/05/2020 The Government’s new Bounce Back Loan scheme (BBLS) has now gone live online and is open for applications.
Deferring your VAT payment - 30/04/2020 Find out more about deferring your VAT payments here.
Bounce Back Loans scheme for small businesses - 28/04/2020 The Chancellor has announced a new loans measure, known as the Bounce Back Loans Scheme (BBLS), which will allow small businesses to borrow up to 25 per cent of their turnover, up to a maximum of £50,000.
Businesses bombarded by cyber-attacks as they seek support for COVID-19 - 27/04/2020 A range of organisations, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), have released fresh warnings about the risk of cyber-attacks during this already challenging period.
Child Benefit and the High-Income Child Benefit Charge during the coronavirus outbreak - 27/04/2020 The impact of the coronavirus outbreak on incomes in the most affected sectors has the potential to have a knock-on effecton eligibility for Child Benefit and the High-Income Child Benefit Charge.
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme - 27/04/2020 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is expected to release a new online service to help companies reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) that has been paid as a result of COVID-19.
Coronavirus Customs Authorisations - 27/04/2020 In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government is making temporary changes to customs policy and authorisations.
Are you or your team classed as essential workers? - 27/04/2020 For the Government to begin the process of lifting the lockdown they need to undertake more tests to understand what proportion of the UK public is immune and to ensure those most at risk can be protected.
Payment of dividends during the Coronavirus outbreak - 27/04/2020 It is common for directors of limited companies, who are also shareholders, to receive much of their income in the form of dividends instead of through a salary, owing to the tax benefits this can entail.
Certain sectors see access to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme restricted - 27/04/2020 Some sectors that receive payments from the Government as well as from private sources have seen their access to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) restricted.
Are you eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) - 23/04/2020 Find out if you are eligible and how to obtain the taxable grant worth 80 per cent of your taxable trading profits.
I’m a director of a small company – what support is open to me during the Coronavirus outbreak? - 23/04/2020 If you are a director of a company where you are the sole employee, navigating the support available to help you throughout the Coronavirus outbreak could look like a daunting prospect.
Administering the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - 22/04/2020 We appreciate that you are probably hard at work making the necessary arrangements and sourcing the required information for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) at the moment.
Government announces Future Fund for fast-growing businesses - 22/04/2020 The Government has announced a new scheme to help businesses with the impact of Coronavirus. The Future Fund is aimed at rapidly growing businesses that typically rely on equity investment.
Government launches Business Support Finder tool - 22/04/2020 With an increasing array of Coronavirus business support measures available to different types and sizes of business, the Government has launched a new Support Finder tool to help businesses identify what support packages they could be eligible for.
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS): What you need to know - 17/04/2020
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) cut-off date extended to 19 March 2020 - 16/04/2020 The Government has announced that the cut-off date for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has been extended from 28 February 2020 to 19 March 2020, potentially enabling employers to furlough employees taken on during that period.
Easter Weekend updates to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - 14/04/2020 Over the Easter Weekend, the Government published a further update to its guidance on the operation of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Portal opens Monday 20 April 2020 - 14/04/2020 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has confirmed that the online portal for applications to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will open on Monday 20 April 2020.
The Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) - 07/04/2020 The Government has announced a further scheme to support businesses through the Coronavirus crisis.
Latest amendments to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme announced - 07/04/2020 The Government has made several amendments to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), which was first announced by Chancellor, Rishi Sunak on 20 March, immediately after the Prime Minister ordered the closure of pubs, restaurants and bars.
Personal loans, credit cards and overdrafts - 07/04/2020 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is fast-tracking new measures that will force banks to freeze loans and credit card payments for up to three months to help those individuals whose finances are affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.
Revised Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) - 06/04/2020 The Government has announced significant revisions to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) that come into effect from Monday 6 April 2020, opening up the scheme to a wider range of businesses.
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and how it works - 03/04/2020
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme - everything you need to know - 03/04/2020
Take care - Coronavirus fraud on the rise - 03/04/2020 The Government has issued fresh warnings to members of the public and businesses about the potential for fraud related to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Newly appointed staff members will not benefit from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - 03/04/2020 Thousands of employees who have started a new job after the 28 February 2020 will not be able to benefit from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and may need to be laid off or sacked to help businesses cut costs.
Government updates guidance on small business and retail sector grant schemes - 03/04/2020 The Government has published new guidance for local authorities on the small business and retail sector grant schemes.
Government confirms that furlough rules do not leave employers at risk of breaching minimum wage rules - 03/04/2020 The Government has confirmed in its guidance for the operation of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) that employers will not be at risk of breaching minimum wage rules where they opt not to top-up the wages of furloughed employees.
Coronavirus Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) - 27/03/2020 Following the announcement that businesses will be reimbursed by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for 80 per cent of the employment costs of ‘furloughed’ workers for at least three months from March, the Chancellor has announced a similar scheme for self-employed individuals.
Accessing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - 25/03/2020 With substantial restrictions for everyone on the circumstances in which we can leave our homes, and many businesses being forced to close, the Chancellor has announced a scheme to reimburse up to 80 per cent of the cost of the wages of ‘furloughed workers’.
Government support help with the economic impact of Coronavirus – Here’s what businesses need to know - 24/03/2020 In recent days, a whole raft of business support measures have been announced by the Government, designed to help business owners protect their companies and support their employees.
Payroll professionals confirmed as key workers - 24/03/2020 Payroll is a vitally important function within a business and never more so now that the Government has confirmed that it will be paying furloughed workers* up to 80% of their wages through reimbursement via HMRC.
Essential business preparations for COVID-19 - 19/03/2020 The UK is seeing an unprecedented amount of disruption due to the current coronavirus outbreak and in response the Chancellor has announced a number of measures to help businesses deal with this crisis.
Accessing the latest COVID-19 stimulus - 19/03/2020 The Government has pledged more than £330 billion overnight to help businesses struggling with the economic impact of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
CORONAVIRUS UK (COVID-19) - 17/03/2020 IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CLIENTS, VISITORS and STAFF
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