The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced the following changes to the Self-Employed Income Support (SEISS) and Coronavirus Job Retention Schemes (CJRS) at the close of business last week.
SEISS changes
In response to lobbying by interested business groups this scheme has been extended for a final three-month period (June – August 2020). The amount being offered is reduced,...
HMRC advice for people choosing to give up their income to support their business or donate to charity during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been published.
Business owners who have decided to give-up their rights to receive dividends, salary or bonuses from their companies need to follow HMRC’s guidelines to be effective.
To be effective tax-wise, the...
This week, the formal process to claim back certain Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments is launched. From 26 May 2020, employers can register their claim using a new online process.
Making a claim
To use the online service, you will need the Government Gateway user ID you received when you registered for PAYE Online. If you did...
Innovative businesses and start-ups are set to benefit from a £40 million government investment to drive forward new technological advances. It was announced 20 May 2020, that government is doubling investment in the Fast Start Competition with an additional £20 million.
The competition aims to fast-track the development of innovations borne out of the coronavirus crisis...
The following guidelines have been released to cover social distancing concerns if working in offices or call centres. The objective being to maintain 2m social distancing whenever possible.
The published guidelines are:
You must maintain social distancing in the workplace wherever possible. Where the social distancing guidelines cannot be followed in full in relation to a particular...
Last week, the government announced that businesses with supply chains that rely on Trade Credit Insurance, and who are experiencing difficulties maintaining cover due to coronavirus disruption, will get support from government.
In a news story released 13 May 2020, the Treasury said:
Trade Credit Insurance provides cover to hundreds of thousands of business...
A reminder that if you need to renew your vehicle MOT after 30 March 2020, the usual annual renewal date should have been extended by six-months. Conditions that apply are:
Eligibility
Your MOT certificate will be extended by six-months if it was due to expire on or after 30 March 2020 and your vehicle is a:
In the past, claims for the costs of home office furniture and other equipment has been difficult to obtain unless your employer dictates that you must work from home.
With the advent of lock-down and working from home now mandated for a large proportion of the working population, HMRC are being inundated with claims.
Employees that are...
From 1 May 2020, VAT on e-publications has been scrapped. Good news for those of us who subscribe to newspapers online or buy books to read on electronic devices.
The change will potentially slash the cost of e-books and newspapers making reading more accessible as people stay at home.
Newspapers will also benefit from up to £35...