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COVID-19 Business Support Hub

We are here to support you during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Please read the articles below for our latest updates.

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Loans, Grants and Deferrals

Looking for a business loan? Here’s what you need to know April 4, 2024
Loans to small businesses drop to lowest level on record May 25, 2022
Take advantage of the extension to the Recovery Loan Scheme November 29, 2021
The fifth round of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is now open August 2, 2021
HMRC contacts self-employed individuals who could be eligible for fourth SEISS grant April 16, 2021
Coronavirus Restart Grant April 7, 2021
The VAT Deferral New Payment Scheme February 11, 2021
COVID-19 Bounce Back Loan repayment period extended February 10, 2021
Only a few days are left to submit applications for the third SEISS grant January 22, 2021
Insurance industry to pay out on COVID-19 business interruption claims January 18, 2021
Government extends Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and Government-backed loans November 3, 2020
Government extends further support to businesses affected by COVID-19 October 23, 2020
Chancellor expands Job Support Scheme and grants to businesses facing new COVID-19 restrictions October 13, 2020
CBILS ends on 30th September 2020 September 10, 2020
How will you rebuild and recover? Funding launched to cover cost of professional advice August 21, 2020
Key dates for Coronavirus support schemes, tax and Companies House August 14, 2020
Government extends childcare funding for families affected by the pandemic August 7, 2020
Green Homes Grant guidance published August 7, 2020
Reminder: Deferral of second payment on account July 16, 2020
Download our updated Coronavirus Support grids July 16, 2020
Coronavirus grants to businesses, employers and individuals are taxable June 29, 2020
Key dates for Coronavirus support schemes June 29, 2020
Bounce Back Loans scheme for small businesses April 28, 2020
Retail, hospitality and leisure firms set for £10 billion business rates savings April 24, 2020
Government launches Business Support Finder tool April 22, 2020
Government announces Future Fund for fast-growing businesses April 22, 2020
Expanded Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) launched April 20, 2020
Accounting for grant payments April 15, 2020
Four new Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) lenders announced April 15, 2020
The Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) April 7, 2020
Government extends Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme to all SMEs April 6, 2020
Revised Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) April 6, 2020
Government updates guidance on small business and retail sector grant schemes April 2, 2020
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) March 30, 2020
Business rates relief extended March 30, 2020
Tax and Companies House Deferrals March 30, 2020
Companies House Filing March 30, 2020
Commercial Rent Deferrals March 30, 2020
Applying for a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) March 25, 2020
Businesses urged to apply for Companies House filing extension before deadline March 25, 2020

Employment

Redundancy changes for new parents March 26, 2024
18-year-olds to be included in auto-enrolment expansion September 21, 2023
Training schemes address labour and skills shortage in hospitality June 1, 2022
How the Spring Statement will affect businesses and individuals March 30, 2022
Large number of businesses looking to recruit more staff March 16, 2022
Right to work: Government to launch virtual identification scheme to support employers March 11, 2022
How can apprenticeships help your business? February 8, 2022
Employers need to check out bank holiday entitlement for Queen’s jubilee January 26, 2022
Coronavirus: self-certification period temporarily extended December 20, 2021
Deadline to claim apprenticeship incentive payment just “weeks away” November 19, 2021
100,000 young people join Kickstart scheme as vacancies hit a new record November 17, 2021
How will the National Minimum Wage increase impact my business? October 29, 2021
Workers claiming Working Tax Credit urged to update their hours October 6, 2021
October: the last month to handle CJRS claims October 5, 2021
Buoyant firms return £1.3 billion furlough cash to Treasury September 28, 2021
Final furlough figures published before end of scheme September 13, 2021
Record numbers return to work ahead of closure of furlough scheme September 9, 2021
Business leader calls for action on skills to support the recovery September 8, 2021
UK business confidence hits a four-year high September 1, 2021
Staff shortages leave food manufacturers looking for inmates to cover work August 23, 2021
Sole traders “disproportionately impacted” by coronavirus pandemic August 19, 2021
Good news on jobs and growth a boost for business August 18, 2021
Staff shortages: increased wages to entice workers could mean higher prices for customers August 16, 2021
Labour shortages could impact UK’s economic recovery, says experts August 9, 2021
Digital advice hub for employers and employees launched under new National Disability Strategy July 29, 2021
SMEs can benefit from Covid sick pay rebates July 16, 2021
UK Export Finance records “record” year thanks to success of General Export Facility June 24, 2021
Government launches Shared Parental Leave and Pay portal for working families June 18, 2021
Sunshine, football and good news for business June 16, 2021
What is RTI for Payroll? June 11, 2021
New claims needed to continue receiving working from home tax relief April 16, 2021
New legal minimum wage comes into force from today, Government confirms April 1, 2021
Uber drivers “not self-employed”, Supreme Court rules February 19, 2021
Kickstart Scheme: the changes from 3 February 2021 February 1, 2021
CJRS: Annually paid directors may now be eligible for furlough claims January 27, 2021
CJRS: Deadline for November claims fast approaching December 11, 2020
COVID-19: Time is running out to make November furlough claims December 2, 2020
Coronavirus: Government launches Film and TV Production Restart Scheme October 21, 2020
HMRC receives almost 55,000 tax relief claims for working from home October 14, 2020
Government introduces legal duty to self-isolate, with big penalties for employers that prevent staff from following the rules September 23, 2020

Insolvency

Company insolvencies: over 8,700 chain stores have closed September 21, 2021
Government urged to extend COVID business support measures February 10, 2021
Insolvency: 900,000 UK businesses are ‘at risk’ of closure February 3, 2021
One in ten businesses at moderate risk of insolvency according to ONS August 20, 2020
New Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill to extend accounting deadlines May 22, 2020
One-third of SMEs ‘may never re-open’ after Covid-19, study reveals May 20, 2020
Suspension of director liability for wrongful trading March 31, 2020

VAT and MTD

HMRC to close helplines one day a week to clear backlog February 23, 2022
MTD for VAT – Are you ready for the final stage? February 9, 2022
Penalty reform for VAT delayed until January 2023 January 18, 2022
Businesses that do not use MTD for VAT make more errors than those that do, study reveals January 13, 2022
MTD for Income Tax delayed until April 2024, HMRC confirms September 24, 2021
HMRC letters remind businesses of VAT payments change June 2, 2021
Deadline to pay deferred VAT or arrange payment plan “fast approaching” May 28, 2021
Government confirms the next steps for the digitisation of taxation July 22, 2020
COVID-19: The key dates for your tax diary July 1, 2020
Remember to reinstate your VAT direct debit in time for your next payment June 25, 2020
Businesses who defer VAT payments should continue to file returns as usual, says HMRC April 28, 2020
Soft-landing period for MTD for VAT extended to April 2021 March 31, 2020
Deferring VAT – HMRC confirms businesses should cancel VAT direct debits March 25, 2020

MJ Bushell Updates

Preparations Checklist March 30, 2020
Government support help with the economic impact of Coronavirus – Here’s what businesses need to know March 24, 2020
COVID-19: Summary of the Chancellor’s announcement on 20th March 2020 March 23, 2020
We’re here to help – what to do if you can’t pay your tax bill March 19, 2020
M J Bushell Here to Help March 19, 2020

Fraud

April Fool’s Day is passed but you could still get scammed April 2, 2024
NFT fraudsters arrested by HMRC February 15, 2022
Tax-related scams double during coronavirus pandemic, figures reveal August 26, 2021
HMRC opens 13,000 inquiries into potential Covid fraud June 30, 2021
Bounce Back Loan Scheme fraud rising May 26, 2021
Furlough fraud warning after arrests May 12, 2021
Increasing number of taxpayers targeted with threatening tax scams, HMRC warns March 18, 2021
New Companies House rules to “crack down” on corporate fraud December 10, 2020
HM Revenue & Customs confirms first arrest in connection with furlough fraud July 16, 2020
Employers given 30 days to confess to furlough fraud June 25, 2020
Take care – Coronavirus fraud on the rise April 2, 2020

Home working and expenses

Working remotely – What are the tax implications? January 11, 2024
HMRC receives almost 55,000 tax relief claims for working from home October 14, 2020
Government reinstates advice to work from home ‘if you can’ September 23, 2020
One in 10 firms unable to reopen safely under current guidance, study reveals May 29, 2020
Tax treatment of expenses and benefits during COVID-19 May 21, 2020
Temporary tax freeze on home office expenditure announced May 21, 2020
What expenses are taxable when working from home? March 31, 2020
Working from home March 30, 2020

Self Employed

New guidance for partnerships claiming fifth SEISS grant August 27, 2021
New figures highlight success of coronavirus support schemes June 3, 2021
Self-employed who missed extended tax return deadline “not eligible” for SEISS support, HMRC reveals March 12, 2021
Self-Employment: Government set to announce the fourth round of SEISS in Budget February 24, 2021
Number of late Self Assessment returns doubles, HMRC reveals February 5, 2021
Self-Assessment: HMRC set to waive fines for late returns due to COVID-19 January 13, 2021
Employers: call for furlough scheme to be introduced to working parents while schools are closed January 4, 2021
Self-employed profits must be “significantly reduced” to claim third SEISS grant, says HMRC November 26, 2020
Third round of Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) opens on Monday with tighter eligibility criteria November 26, 2020
Self-Assessment: HMRC announces new ‘enhanced payment plans’ for self-employed October 6, 2020
The second round of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) opens for applications August 19, 2020
Second round of Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) opens on Monday August 14, 2020
Key dates for Coronavirus support schemes August 7, 2020
Self-assessment taxpayers can “automatically defer payments on account”, HMRC confirms July 20, 2020
HM Revenue & Customs updates Self-Employment Income Support Scheme guidance July 16, 2020
Don’t forget to make an SEISS claim by 13 July! July 7, 2020
COVID-19: The key dates for your tax diary July 1, 2020
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme receives 440,000 applications on day one May 15, 2020
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme open for business May 13, 2020
Are you eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)? April 23, 2020
I’m a director of a small company – what support is open to me during the Coronavirus outbreak? April 23, 2020
How total income and trading profits will be calculated for the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme April 20, 2020
Government SEISS guidance updated April 20, 2020
Detailed guidance published on the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme April 15, 2020
Coronavirus support for people working through their own limited company March 31, 2020
Coronavirus Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) March 30, 2020
HMRC: Self Assessment payment on account deferral scheme open to ALL taxpayers March 27, 2020
Coronavirus Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) March 27, 2020

Job Retention Scheme & Furloughing

More than 400,000 employers supported by furlough scheme in last month of operation, figures reveal November 5, 2021
October: the last month to handle CJRS claims October 5, 2021
Buoyant firms return £1.3 billion furlough cash to Treasury September 28, 2021
Final furlough figures published before end of scheme September 13, 2021
Furlough fraud warning after arrests May 12, 2021
Furlough scheme guidance updated April 16, 2021
Government urged to extend COVID business support measures February 10, 2021
CJRS: Annually paid directors may now be eligible for furlough claims January 27, 2021
Requests for exemption from publication of furlough claims must be submitted by Monday 25 January January 22, 2021
Employers: call for furlough scheme to be introduced to working parents while schools are closed January 4, 2021
HMRC: Penalty payments for non-compliance increase by 62 per cent December 16, 2020
CJRS: Deadline for November claims fast approaching December 11, 2020
COVID-19: Time is running out to make November furlough claims December 2, 2020
Important deadlines approach for the furlough scheme November 26, 2020
HMRC’s amended guidance on late furlough claims November 23, 2020
Furlough scheme update – Publication of claims and employees serving notice November 16, 2020
Extended Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme FAQ November 11, 2020
National Lockdown – Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Business Support Update November 2, 2020
Government issues new guidance on the Job Retention Bonus October 5, 2020
HMRC sends thousands of letters to employers for ‘incorrect’ CJRS claims September 23, 2020
Businesses return £215 million furlough payments to the Government September 21, 2020
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme rejects claims after employer accounting errors September 18, 2020
HMRC confirms unused Employment Allowance can be used to reduce other tax costs August 21, 2020
Government confirms Job Retention Bonus of £1,000 July 22, 2020
Upcoming key dates for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme July 22, 2020
Details of ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme confirmed July 10, 2020
COVID-19: The key dates for your tax diary July 1, 2020
Guidance published on repaying Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme overpayments June 29, 2020
One in 10 firms unable to reopen safely under current guidance, study reveals May 29, 2020
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – the next steps May 27, 2020
Administering the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme April 22, 2020
Employers should continue to meet automatic enrolment obligations despite coronavirus disruption, says TPR April 20, 2020
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme extended to end of June April 20, 2020
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme online portal launches April 20, 2020
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) cut-off date extended to 19 March 2020 April 16, 2020
Easter Weekend updates to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme April 14, 2020
Latest amendments to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme announced April 7, 2020
COVID-19: Government to cover employer NICs and pension contributions of furloughed workers April 2, 2020
Government confirms that furlough rules do not leave employers at risk of breaching minimum wage rules April 2, 2020
Newly appointed staff members will not benefit from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme April 2, 2020

Personal taxes and finances

Five Self-Assessment deductions you didn’t know you could claim February 14, 2024
Best practices for business and personal finances August 30, 2023
How the Spring Statement will affect businesses and individuals March 30, 2022
How can you cope with the cost-of-living crisis? March 28, 2022
Student loans: what is changing for graduates in April February 1, 2022
HMRC scam calls have decreased by 97 per cent January 25, 2022
If your holiday got cancelled last year, then read on… November 23, 2021
Personal tax: Take home more of what you earn with these tax-saving tips October 8, 2021
UK house prices hit significant record September 7, 2021
Personal tax: Thousands of parents “missing out” on Tax-Free Childcare September 3, 2021
150,000 businesses owe HMRC £2.7 billion in deferred VAT payments July 27, 2021
Federation of Small Businesses calls for more help for SMEs as financial support winds down June 28, 2021
UK Export Finance records “record” year thanks to success of General Export Facility June 24, 2021
Five reasons to set up a Personal Tax Account May 17, 2021
Online sales tax proposal for Autumn Budget February 8, 2021
Number of late Self Assessment returns doubles, HMRC reveals February 5, 2021
Year-End Tax Planning – why it’s vital to be prepared January 25, 2021
The most common Self Assessment errors, according to HMRC December 17, 2020
HMRC updates Statutory Residence Test due to COVID-19 December 4, 2020
COVID-19: Payment holidays on credit cards, car finance and personal loans extended November 4, 2020
Premium Bond holders express concern with new paper-free system October 21, 2020
HM Revenue & Customs issues ‘nudge’ letters to people suspected of having undeclared overseas assets August 14, 2020
Paying for COVID-19: Government begins exploring tax take back July 22, 2020
Government publishes detailed guidance on SDLT holiday July 16, 2020
Coronavirus apprenticeships guidance updated July 16, 2020
COVID-19: The key dates for your tax diary July 1, 2020
Changes to notifying an option to tax (VAT) on land and buildings during the Coronavirus pandemic May 21, 2020
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme set to open for claims May 21, 2020
COVID-19 – HMRC relax inheritance tax process April 17, 2020
CGT reporting of property sales to be given more time April 15, 2020
Personal loans, credit cards and overdrafts April 7, 2020
Personal Finances March 30, 2020

Economy