With our experience of the past two years of anxiety and disruption  adaptability is a key ability due to the ever-changing environment we find ourselves in. We have created blogs which contain suggestions on what you are able to do should more restrictions come into place in the New Year. You can find them on our Coronavirus Hub.

Rishi Sunak has announced today that there will be more government support provided for businesses most impacted by the rising Coronavirus cases in the UK.
 

Employed and Self-Employed persons can take advantage of tax breaks on their time working from home. 

Whilst HM Government’s tougher restriction measures at the start of 2021 will continue to have an adverse impact for many people and businesses, there are reasons why the outlook for 2021 is more positive.
 

Most employers who are eligible will be aware that the furlough scheme (the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme) has been extended.

With the nationwide lockdown coming to an end and tiers being re-introduced there are a lot of changes happening which may distract you from upcoming business support deadlines such as the CJRS Claims Deadline.

The decision has been made to charge full VAT on PPE despite the current VAT exemptions for other essential zero rated items including motorcycle helmets, cycle helmets and protective boots.

 

The government have announced today some significant changes to provide additional financial support to businesses and employees affected by the coronavirus.
 

The Job Retention Bonus scheme opens for claims from 15 February 2021 and employers have until 31 March 2021 to submit their claims.
 

If you haven’t yet made a claim for the second grant and you are eligible, make sure you do so by 19 October 2020 or risk losing out.

We’ve become aware of several coronavirus (COVID-19) related scams purporting to be from HMRC.

The Government has announced today further welcomed measures of financial support to businesses and employees.

HMRC have updated their guidance on how to report and pay back any money overclaimed through the coronavirus job retention scheme grant.

HMRC have updated their guidance on calculating hours and furlough pay for claims submitted after 14 September 2020. 

SEMLEP has a limited pot of funding available to support SMEs across the South East Midlands to respond to the immediate COVID-19 crisis.
 

Some welcome news for businesses affected by local lockdowns has been announced by the government.   Businesses can claim grants of between £1,000 and £1,500 every three weeks while they are required to be closed.
 

From the 26 March 2020, the following rights of landlords and tenants regarding eviction apply.

If you are faced with making employees redundant the terms that determine the amount payable may be written into your staff contracts of employment. 
 

On the 19th August, it was announced by the Chancellor that there would be more grants available to help them get back on their feet from the impact of the Coronavirus crisis.

On the 19th August, it was announced by the Chancellor that there would be more grants available to help them get back on their feet from the impact of the Coronavirus crisis.

There has been considerable discussion about the Employment Allowance and how it interacts with CJRS.
 

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) was part of the package of measures from the Government to support businesses through the Covid-19 pandemic.  The second and final tranche of grants available to eligible businesses can be claimed online from 17 August 2020.  The closing date for claims for the second and final grant is 19 October 2020.
 

If you have furloughed any employees during the period ended 30 June 2020 and you are eligible to make a furlough claim under the job retention scheme, you must do so BY 31 JULY 2020.

If you've been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, you can defer your self-assessment payment on account to 31 January 2021.
 

In response to the Covid-19 outbreak, the budget forecast return three year (BFR3Y) is the only required budget forecast to be submitted for Academies and Academy Trusts this year.

VAT registered businesses are able to defer their VAT payments falling due in the period between 20 March and 30 June 2020 until 31 March 2021.
 

Following the government’s announcement earlier this month regarding changes to the furlough job retention scheme from 1 July 2020 until 31 October 2020, detailed guidance has now been released explaining the changes.
 

To help you prepare for the next, flexible stage of the furlough scheme we have prepared a useful checklist of the key dates and the steps you need to take to prepare. 
 

Changes to the furlough scheme mean that parents on statutory maternity and paternity leave who return to work in the next few months will now be eligible for the government’s furlough scheme even after the 10 June cut-off date for new entrants.
 

Domestic reverse charge for construction services delayed until March 2021.

As previously announced, the CJRS has been extended to 31 October 2020 and will be changed to a flexible arrangement from 1 July 2020 to allow employees to resume part-time working.

As previously announced, the CJRS has been extended to 31 October 2020 and will be changed to a flexible arrangement from 1 July 2020 to allow employees to resume part-time working.

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme has been extended by a further three months to cover June, July and August 2020.

Last week, the Government published its 60 page COVID -19 recovery strategy document, aiming to present how the UK will move out of lockdown under what is being classed as the ‘new normal’

Last week, the Government published its 60 page COVID -19 recovery strategy document, aiming to present how the UK will move out of lockdown under what is being classed as the ‘new normal’

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is to be extended by four months to 31 October and employers will be able to bring back furloughed employees on a part-time basis, as part of the government’s plans to ‘re-open the economy’.

Yesterday, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak announced significant changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, now commonly referred to as the furlough scheme.

Yesterday, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak announced significant changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, now commonly referred to as the furlough scheme.

Measures were announced by the government on 23rd April 2020, designed to protect tenants of commercial property from aggressive rent collection, potentially pushing viable businesses into insolvency.

Measures were announced by the government on 23rd April 2020, designed to protect tenants of commercial property from aggressive rent collection, potentially pushing viable businesses into insolvency.

Although we still don’t know when lockdown restrictions will be lifted, it is worth organisations starting to plan for the end of the furlough period – particularly if you are unlikely to have a full workload to occupy your entire team.  We look at the options available to businesses when the furlough scheme finishes. 

As we enter another week of coronavirus lockdown HMRC have confirmed that company car drivers must still suffer a Benefit-in-Kind tax charge where they have access to private use of their vehicles.   We look at the implications for company car drivers. 

The self-employed can now check their eligibility for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). 

From 9am this morning, small business owners can apply for the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, by filling out a simple online form, with only seven questions.

From 9am this morning, small business owners can apply for the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, by filling out a simple online form, with only seven questions.

The working from rules are not new but are certainly more relevant than ever as larger numbers of employees are required to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 

If you have returned to work in the NHS after retiring, your tax affairs have just become more complicated. This is far from ideal at a time when your focus is on helping the country get through the COVID-19 crisis. We are here to help.

The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme will repay employers the current rate of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) SSP that they pay to current or former employees for periods of sickness starting on or after 13 March 2020.

The UK’s largest small business lenders have relaxed the evidence requirements for applications to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).
 
 

The government announced yesterday (Tuesday 28 April 2020) an expansion of coronavirus testing to include those over 65 as well as anyone who has to leave the house to work if they are showing coronavirus symptoms. 
 

In another measure designed to ease pressure on businesses affected by the coronavirus crisis and keep small businesses operating, the government yesterday (Monday 27 April,) announced a new 100% government backed loan scheme for small and medium businesses.

Companies House has announced a temporary pause of the strike off process to help businesses affected by the coronavirus crisis.  Voluntary DS01 applications can still be filed, but the company will not be struck from the register.
 

The coronavirus Job Retention Scheme online service is now live, and businesses can now submit their claims for furloughed workers. 

If you’re eligible for the Job Retention Scheme, there are things that you can do now to be ready to make your claim when the system is up and running later this month.

One of the measures announced by the Government in response to the coronavirus crisis is the Small Business Grant Fund. 

Initial guidance appeared to indicate that the grants would be processed automatically, however, what we are now seeing is that many Local Councils are requiring eligible businesses to submit an application form.  
 

The Chancellor has announced a raft of measures designed to help businesses during the coronavirus crisis.  One of the headline measures announced in the Spring Budget was the Business Rates Holiday - 100% relief from Business Rates for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses in England for 2020/21. 

Although we are still waiting for detailed guidance on how to compile claims, government guidance states you must have enrolled for PAYE online to be able to claim.  Please see attached fact sheet providing instructions on how to set this up. 
 

The government have released further updates for the job retention scheme including confirmation that office holders, directors and salaried members of LLPs are eligible for the scheme and provides further information on what should be included in the calculation of monthly earnings.

To clarify the situation regarding travel – travel for work purposes is currently permitted, but only where you cannot work from home and provided you are not showing coronavirus symptoms and neither you nor any of your household are self-isolating. 
 

Directors will naturally be concerned as to their conduct during the current pandemic. Trying to do the right thing by the company’s employees, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders whilst ensuring ongoing compliance with their fiduciary duties will be challenging, however, changes are being made to the insolvency regime to provide directors with breathing space to explore their options, whilst protecting them from risk of personal liability.
 

Directors will naturally be concerned as to their conduct during the current pandemic. Trying to do the right thing by the company’s employees, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders whilst ensuring ongoing compliance with their fiduciary duties will be challenging, however, changes are being made to the insolvency regime to provide directors with breathing space to explore their options, whilst protecting them from risk of personal liability.
 

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has just confirmed that they are allowing an extension to the deadline for implementing full digital links for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT, therefore extending the soft landing period.

Under the Job Retention Scheme, announced by the Government on 20 March 2020, all UK employers will be able to access support to allow them to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those employees’ that would have otherwise been laid off during the crisis.

 

The Government have confirmed that commercial tenants who can not pay their rent because of COVID-19 will be protected from eviction.

The Government have announced that the option to defer the second tax payment on account, due on 31 July 2020, is available to all self assessment tax payers.

The Government announced yesterday, 26 March 2020, the introduction of the self-employment Income Support Scheme.  This scheme is to provide financial help to self-employed individuals, including members of a partnership, who have lost income due to the coronavirus.
 

All UK businesses are eligible to defer VAT payments for 3 months if required in the period 20 March 2020 until 30 June 2020.

Due to the disruption caused by COVID-19 and uncertain times facing businesses, Companies House have made some measures to help ease the burden regarding the filing of accounts. 

Understandably, charities are concerned about the current coronavirus crisis, which will impact on both the work they are able to undertake, and income to generate. Many do not have sufficient cash reserves. With the NCVO announcing that the charity sector could lose at least £4bn over the next 12 weeks, we want to ensure our charity clients are aware of the measures and support available to you during this time. We will keep this page updated and urge you to get in contact if you have further questions on the below.

We are currently operating in a time of uncertainty and fear due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, it is rapidly beginning to impact our national and local economy.
 

We are currently operating in a time of uncertainty and fear due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, it is rapidly beginning to impact our national and local economy.