HMRC has received more than 54,800 claims from taxpayers using a new online portal which allows workers to claim tax relief for working at home. From 6 April 2020, employers have been able to pay employees up to £6 a week tax-free to cover additional costs if they have had to work from home. Launched on 1 October 2020, the online portal has been set up to process tax relief o ...

Updated 5th November 2020 The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant Extension provides financial support to the self-employed in the form of two grants, each available for three month periods covering 1 November 2020 to 31 January 2021 and 1 February 2021 to 30 April 2021. Who can claim To be eligible for the Grant Extension self-employed individuals (including members ...

Originally due to end on 31 October, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will now remain open until 31 March 2021. The scheme had already been extended to December 2020 following the announcement of a new national lockdown for England. For claim periods running ‘through to January 2021’ (so we assume that means all of November and December at least and most probably Ja ...

Given recent events, there has been a significant increase in people looking at making tax relief claims due to the additional costs incurred for working from home. Previously (prior to the current tax year), employers could pay their employees a home working allowance of £4/week tax free. If employers did not make such a payment, the taxpayer could make a tax relief claim fo ...

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant Extension provides financial support to the self-employed in the form of two grants, each available for three month periods covering 1 November 2020 to 31 January 2021 and 1 February 2021 to 30 April 2021. Who can claim To be eligible for the Grant Extension self-employed individuals (including members of partnerships), must: ...

The original plan for the scheme would have meant employers paying one third of their employees’ wages for their hours not worked, as well as normal wages for the time actually worked, making the overall cost of retaining staff on part-time hours prohibitive for many businesses. The changes announced should bring more flexibility to the JSS and reduce costs to employers for em ...

Updated 9th October 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced an extension to the Jobs Support Scheme, which is due to begin on 1 November 2020. The government recently announced how the Jobs Support Scheme would contribute 1/3rd of the shortfall of wages (capped at £697.72pm) for employees who were working reduced hours, but working at least 33% of their normal (pre-furlough ...

Updated 24th September 2020 The government also announced it will extend the temporary 15% VAT cut for the tourism and hospitality sectors to the end of March 2021. This will give businesses in the sector - which has been severely impacted by the pandemic - the confidence to maintain staff as they adapt to a new trading environment. In addition, up to half a million businesse ...

Updated 24th September 2020 The SEISS Grant Extension provides critical support to the self-employed. The grant will be limited to self-employed individuals who are currently eligible for the SEISS and are actively continuing to trade but are facing reduced demand due to COVID-19. Who is eligible? To be eligible for the scheme, self-employed individuals, including members of ...

Updated 24th September 2020 The Chancellor of the Exchequer has extended the government’s three Coronavirus business interruption loan schemes and the Future Fund. The extension aligns all the end dates of the schemes to 30 November, ensuring that there is further support in place for those who may need it. More businesses will now be able to benefit from the Coronavirus Busi ...