CJRS Bonus

Today the Chancellor announced the introduction of the Job Retention Bonus. This is a one-off payment of £1,000 to employers that have used the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) for each furloughed employee who remains continuously employed until 31‌‌‌ ‌January 2021. The bonus will provide additional support to retain employees. To be eligible, employees will […]

Tax treatment of COVID-19 tests and Personal Protective Equipment

HMRC has updated its guidance relating to the tax treatment of certain benefits and expenses paid to employees due to coronavirus, to explain how employers should proceed where they are providing coronavirus testing kits, or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to their employees. If an employer has purchased coronavirus testing kits or tests completed by a […]

‘Shielding’ employees able to return to work from August

Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, confirmed that any employees who have been ‘shielding’ as a result of COVID-19 will be able to return to work from 1 August 2020 in England. If a worker is not able to work remotely, and social distancing measures have been implemented within their workplace, then vulnerable people who have been […]

Pensions Regulator updates guidance in relation to CJRS changes

The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has published updated COVID-19 guidance for employers in recognition of the fact that, from 1 July 2020, staff may be furloughed on a flexible basis, and permitted to return to work part-time for their employer. It also considers that, for claims commencing on, or after, 1 August 2020, employers no longer […]

Withdrawal of ordering paper P45s and P60s from HMRC: postponement

In March 2020, HMRC announced that they were intending to withdraw the facility of ordering blank P45s and P60s online.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HMRC has postponed this action until 1 August 2020 to give employers more time to prepare for the change. After this date, employers will be expected to print or issue […]

Late filing and payment penalties – HMRC Support

HMRC is supporting taxpayers during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by providing the option to defer Value Added Tax payments between the period 30 March to 30 June 2020. and the July 2020 income tax self-assessment payment on account. Further details of this scheme, and the specific conditions that apply are available at www.gov.uk. It is […]

Updates to guidance on the treatment of expenses provided to employees during COVID-19

HMRC has updated two pages of guidance in relation to the treatment of certain expenses and benefits provided to employees during coronavirus and on checking which expenses are taxable if employees work from home due to coronavirus. Within guidance, HMRC confirms how to proceed when returning office equipment. If the equipment is provided by the […]

Latest figures reveal that 8.9 million jobs have been furloughed

HMRC has published updated figures relating to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). The number of jobs furloughed and the amount of claims made through the SEISS increased as of 7 June 2020 when compared to the previous set of figures that were released in relation to 31 […]

Deadline for placing employees on furlough fast approaching

Companies intending to furlough employees for the first time under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), must do so by 10 June 2020, in order to observe the three-week minimum furlough period ahead of 30 June 2020, prior to the implementation of the changes to the scheme from July – October 2020. On 29 May […]