Summary of Government measures
We summarise the reliefs and grants to support your business during the global health crisis
The coronavirus pandemic is causing disruption to businesses and people across the globe. The Government has issued a number of measures to help support businesses through this tumultuous time. You will find a summary of the support available below and practical guidance from our experts to help you and your business access this relief.
Summary of Government measures
We summarise the reliefs and grants to support your business during the global health crisis
Statutory Residence Test
HMRC issues guidance for individuals unable to travel to or from the UK
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan
Check if you are eligible for this loan with our viability test.
Cashflow management
Practical advice for managing your cashflow amidst the uncertainty of today's climate
Improve cash flow with tax reliefs
Managing your cash flow is essential at this unprecedented time, and tax can play a significant part
Job retention scheme
This scheme offers employers an alternative to redundancies and lay-offs
VAT payments deferred for three months
Find out the details and how you can reorder your VAT strategy to optimise cash flow
Import VAT and duty freeze on medical supplies
Points of detail that organisations must be aware of to maximise the relief available
Improving VAT cash flow for commercial property landlords
One option that you can take to realise a significant cash advantage
Establishing a coronavirus task force
Advice on setting up a task force to minimise the impact of coronavirus
Financial reporting, accounting and audit
Key priorities for your business and the choices you need to make
Inheritance tax planning
Now may be the time to consider protecting the future growth of your estate from inheritance tax
Mitigating the risks of fraud
To help you stay on top of your fraud exposure, we have highlighted key risks and steps to mitigate them
Stopping benefit-in-kind for company cars
This may be helpful for households with a second car, which they could use for essential journeys instead
Preserving cash flow with employee share incentives
Businesses are turning to share incentives as a non-cash way to reward their people
The current coronavirus pandemic appears to be accelerating and is undermining many businesses’ key trading assumptions. We have looked to summarise the practical steps businesses should be looking to take to mitigate the issues and the measures currently outlined by the Government to support businesses at this time.
For employees who would have otherwise been laid off, HMRC will reimburse 80 per cent wages up to a £2,500 per month cap. Employees status must be changed and designated as 'furloughed' workers. Businesses should check contracts of employment as to their ability to change employee status seeking legal advice as appropriate. HMRC will set up a new online portal for reimbursement and therefore repayments may be delayed in the short term.
Find out more here.
This is increased to 100 per cent in the year 2020/21 for occupied retail, leisure and hospitality properties with no rateable limit on the relief. Local authorities will apply automatically to the next council tax bill. Local authority guidance on eligibility can be found here.
Businesses in the above sectors with property with a rateable value of less than £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000, or between £15,001 to £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000. Local authorities are publishing details on their websites and will contact businesses automatically if properties are eligible.
CBILS provides an 80 per cent guarantee against loans of up to £5m to businesses with a turnover less than which £45m. Businesses must have a viable borrowing proposition which, were it not for the pandemic, the lender considers would be viable and able to trade out of short term to medium term difficulties. Fees or interest for the first 12 months are paid by the government. Borrowers remain 100% liable for the loan and lenders will include personal assets in security assessment (excluding primary residence) so personal guarantees may still be requested.
Find out more here.
Larger business may access a new lending facility being provided by the Bank of England (BoE). Via the BoE businesses will be able to sell short term bonds (with a maturity of less than one year) at current commercial terms as a means of raising funds. The scheme will be in place for 12 months.
Guidance can be found here.
Businesses with outstanding tax liabilities (PAYE, NIC, VAT, Corporation Tax) may be able to defer payment through HMRC support which will be reviewed on a case by case basis. A dedicated helpline has been set up on 0800 0159 559 although we are advised there can be lengthy wait times.
Businesses can take advantage of an automatic VAT deferral and make no payments in the period 20 March to 30 June 2020. The does not have to be applied for and businesses will have until the end of 20/21 tax year to repay. Refunds and reclaims will be paid as normal.
Further guidance is available from here.
Businesses with under 250 employees will be able to reclaim expenditure for any employee, who for a period of up to two weeks, has claimed SSP because of coronavirus. This includes self-isolation and employees will not have to provide a doctors fit note. As existing systems are not set up to accommodate employer refunds of SSP, the government is working to set up a mechanism for this. As such, there is likely to be an unquantified delay in receiving the refund.
Specifically aimed at small businesses that already pay little or no business rates under the existing Small Business Rate Relief (SBBR), a one off grant of £10,000 has been made available for these businesses (also including those which qualify for Rural Rate Relief).
The Government declared coronavirus a notifiable disease, a key criteria to allow business interruption insurance claims. However, the Association of British Insurers has indicated that many businesses lack the appropriate cover in their policies. It is worth confirming your position with your insurance broker.
Credit insurers have indicated they will be supportive and work with businesses including the extension of terms on an individual basis although certain insurers are notifying customers operating within high-risk industries of cancellation of cover. It is worth confirming your position with your insurance broker.
Monitor key performance indicators, notably daily sales, cash collection etc to identify any rapidly deteriorating situations. This will ensure you are accurately informed of the impact on your business and allow you to review the available options to counter any issues.
Many businesses will never have been presented with a set of events in which day to day cash management is required. In the current environment preparing a daily receipts and payments cashflow combined with a medium-term integrated forecast is a sensible step. It will allow you to manage cash to mitigate any issues and ensure no short-term funding issues.
Review and critically appraise your customers and supply chain. Identify who may be most at risk, the potential impact on your business through stress testing, and how you could lessen the shock.
Stress test your forecasts for a variety of worst-case scenarios, identify what tools you have to manage cashflow and the key timelines. In a worst case, work out the timelines and cash impact of potentially trading out.
The Government has clearly stated it will take all steps to address the issues to businesses of coronavirus. They have put in place several practical steps to ensure UK banks and HMRC are supportive in the current environment. It is important all stakeholders are engaged with appropriately so that businesses avail themselves of the available resources and reliefs.
For more information on how we can help your business with the disruption of coronavirus, please contact
