18th December 2020
There have been two recent updates regarding the on-going furlough claims which we wish to bring to your attention. As ever, if you have any queries regarding these then please do not hesitate to contact us and we can assist with your questions.
1. HMRC TO NOW PUBLISH SOME OF THE EMPLOYER CLAIM INFORMATION
As part of HMRC’s commitment to transparency and to deter fraudulent claims, HMRC will now publish information about employers who claim for December onwards on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. The following information will be published on GOV.UK:
HMRC will also be improving the information available to employees by including details of claims made for them in their Personal Tax Account (PTA).
HMRC will not publish these details on GOV.UK if the employer can provide evidence that it would cause serious risk of violence or intimidation to certain individuals, or any individual living with them. Further information can be obtained from HRMC using
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme#employer-claim-information-that-hmrc-will-make-public
For those clients that we submit the furlough claims, we will continue to do so unless you inform us that you have concerns regarding such information being in the public domain. If you have any concerns, please contact our Payroll Department so appropriate action can be undertaken.
2. EXTENSION OF FURLOUGH SCHEME
As well as announcing the date for the Budget of the 3rd March, the Chancellor has announced a further extension to the furlough scheme until 30 April 2021. The current furlough scheme where by an employer can claim up to 80% of wages of workers who have been furloughed will continue.
The Chancellor has commented, “Our package of support for businesses and workers continues to be one of the most generous and effective in the world – helping our economy to recover and protecting livelihoods across the country.”
“We know the premium businesses place on certainty, so it is right that we enable them to plan ahead regardless of the path the virus takes, which is why we’re providing certainty and clarity by extending this support.”
Get in touch, we are here to help.
