At the start of lockdown, the Government announced a number of measures to help businesses weather the pandemic. One of those measures was the option for VAT-registered businesses to defer VAT payments that fell due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020. This window meant payment of VAT for the following quarters could be deferred:

• quarter to 29 February 2020 – due by 7 April 2020;
• quarter to 31 March 2020 – due by 7 May 2020; and
• quarter 30 April 2020 – due by 7 June 2020.

However, businesses opting to defer payments were still required to file their VAT returns on time.

VAT due after 30 June 2020

Normal service is resumed in respect of VAT which falls due after 30 June 2020. This must be paid on full and on time. Consequently, VAT for the quarter to 31 May 2020 must be paid by 7 July 2020, even if the trader has yet to pay their VAT for the quarter to 29 February 2020. This applies for successive VAT quarters too.

Set up cancelled direct debits

Where VAT is normally paid by direct debit but the direct debit was cancelled to enable the trader to take advantage of the deferral option, the direct debit needs to be set up again so that payments can be taken automatically. If this has not yet been done, payments will need to be triggered manually to ensure that VAT reaches HMRC on time until the direct debit is back up and running.

Paying VAT that has been deferred

Deferred VAT remains due – the measure simply provides a longer payment window; it does not cancel the liability. VAT that fell due in the period from 20 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 was originally due to be paid in full by 31 March 2021.

However, in delivering his Winter Economy Plan on 24 September 2020, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced that instead, he will allow businesses to spread the repayment of deferred VAT over 11 smaller repayments during 2020/21, with no interest to pay.

Struggling to pay?

Businesses in certain sectors, such as hospitality and leisure, are still not able to operate normally. Where, despite the longer repayment period, a business thinks that it may struggle to repay its deferred VAT, it should contact HMRC to set up a time to pay agreement, which can spread the repayments over a longer period.  This should be done before the first payment becomes due.

The hospitality and leisure industries have been severely affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. To help businesses in these sectors to get back on their feet, a reduced rate of VAT of 5% rather than the standard rate of 20% will apply to certain supplies for a limited period, from 15 July 2020 to 12 January 2021.

Hospitality

Food and drink supplied for consumption in the premises, for example by a restaurant or a bar, and hot takeaway food and beverages are normally liable for VAT at the standard rate of 20%. During the support period, the 5% rate will apply instead to:

• hot and cold food for consumption on the premises on which they are supplied;
• hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises on which they are supplied;
• hot takeaway food for consumption off the premises on which it is supplied;
• hot takeaway non-alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premises on which they are supplied.

Hotel and holiday accommodation

For businesses supplying hotel and holiday accommodation, the 5% rate VAT applies during the support period to:

• supplies of sleeping accommodation in a hotel or similar establishment;
• certain supplies of holiday accommodation;
• charge fees for caravan pitches and associated facilities;
• charge fees for tent pitches and camping facilities.

Meals provided to guests in long-term holiday accommodation (more than 28 days) will also benefit from the reduced rate, but the hire of motor caravans will not.

Admission to attractions

The reduced rate of 5% also applies during the support period in respect of admission to certain attractions which would normally be liable for VAT at the standard rate. However, if the admission fee is exempt from VAT, this will take precedence over the 5% charge and the admission charge will remain exempt.

The temporary reduction will apply to admissions to shows, theatre, circuses, fairs, amusement parks, concerts, museums, zoos, cinemas, exhibitions and similar cultural events where these are not included in the existing cultural exemption.

Impact on flat rate scheme

VAT registered businesses using the flat rate scheme should note that some of the flat rate percentages have been reduced to take account of the temporary reduction in the rate of VAT.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has provided a lifeline to millions of employees and their employers during the Covid-19 pandemic. As at 19 July 2020, 9.5 million employees had been furloughed by 1.2 million employers, benefitting from support totalling £29.5 billion.

As with all good things, the CJRS must come to an end. The scheme is now is its second and final phase, which runs from 1 July 2020 to 31 October 2020. This phase provides a transition from Government support to employers once again meeting the costs of employing their employers. From 1 July 2020, furloughed employees can return to work on reduced hours under the flexible furlough rules, with employers paying the employees as usual for the hours that they work and claiming a grant under the CJRS for the remainder of their normal hours. Employees who were not furloughed for at least three consecutive weeks prior to 1 July 2020 are not eligible for a grant under the scheme from July onwards (unless the employee returns from statutory leave).

During the final phase of the scheme, employees will continue to receive 80% of their pay up to the equivalent of £2,500 a month – this is known as minimum furlough pay.

From 1 August 2020, the financial support provided under the scheme starts to reduce. For claim periods on or after 1 August 2020, employers cannot claim back the employer’s National Insurance and minimum pension contributions on grant payments but must instead meet these costs themselves. For September, employers can only claim 70/80^th of the employee’s minimum furlough pay; this reduces to 60/80^th for October. However, furloughed employees will continue to receive their minimum furlough pay, with the employer making up the shortfall.

Job Retention Bonus

When the scheme comes to an end, employers will need to assess their staffing requirements and decide whether they can bring furloughed employees back to work. The Government are keen that they do. To encourage employers to retain furloughed employees, they will pay a Job Retention Bonus of £1,000 for each furloughed employee who is employed continuously from the end of the CJRS until 31 January 2021. To qualify for the bonus, the employee’s earnings during this period must, on average, be at least equal to the lower earnings limit for Class 1 National Insurance purposes, set at £120 per week (£520 per month) for 2020/21. The Government will pay the bonuses from February 2021.

As far as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is concerned, it is all change from 1 July 2020. From that date, employees can be flexibly furloughed allowing furloughed employees to return to work part time and be furloughed for their usual hours that they do not work. The employer pays the employee for the hours that they work and claims a furlough grant for the furloughed hours. The employee continues to receive ‘minimum furlough pay’ for the furloughed hours, equal to 80% of their pay up to the maximum amount equivalent to £2,500 a month.

Conditions

There are, however, conditions. From 1 July, a grant claim can only be made if the employee was previously furloughed for at least three consecutive weeks before 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2020. This means that a grant cannot be claimed for an employee who has been working reduced hours throughout (although a furloughed employee can be brought back on the same reduced hours and a grant claimed).

Employers to start meeting costs

Although employees will continue to receive 80% of their wages based for their furlough hours up to the maximum amount (equivalent to £2,500 per month), the employer will start to meet some of the costs from 1 August. Prior to that date, employers can claim the employer’s National Insurance due on the grant amount and also the associated minimum pension contributions due under auto-enrolment. However, for pay periods starting on or after 1 August 2020, employers must meet this cost.

The amount that the employer can claim for furloughed hours is reduced to 70% of the employee’s pay (up to maximum equivalent to £2,187.50 per month). For October, this reduces to 60% of the employee’s pay (up to a maximum equivalent to £1,875 per month). The employer must top up the grant so that the employee receives 80% of their wages up to the maximum amount.

The scheme comes to an end on 31 October 2020.

Doing the sums

Flexible furloughing introduces some more complex calculations; although help is available on how to do the sums on the Gov.uk website.

The starting point is to work out the employee’s usual hours, furloughed hours and minimum furlough pay. Guidance on the Gov.uk website explains how to do this. From 1 July onwards, claims must start and end in the same calendar month. If the pay period spans two months, it must be split into two separate claims. This is because the amount that can be claimed is different each month from July onwards.

The furlough hours are the usual hours less the hours that the employee has worked in the month.

The minimum furlough pay is the lesser of 80% of the pay for the pay period and the maximum amount, divided by the employee’s usual hours and multiplied by the furlough hours.

Employers who provided taxable expenses and benefits to employees in 2019/20 need to tell HMRC about them by 6 July 2020, if they have not opted to tax them via the payroll.

Non-payrolled taxable expenses and benefits are reported to HMRC on form P11D. Employers must also file a P11D(b) by the same date. This is the employer’s declaration that all required P11Ds have been submitted, and also the statutory Class 1A return.

Taxable value

The taxable value of the benefit is normally the cash equivalent value. However, where the benefit has been provided under an optional remuneration arrangement, such as a salary sacrifice scheme, and is one to which the alternative valuation rules apply, the taxable amount is the relevant amount. Broadly, this is the salary foregone where this is higher than the cash equivalent value calculated under normal rules.

Exempt benefits

Benefits and expenses that are exempt from tax do not need to be included on the P11D. However, remember to check that all associated conditions have been met.

The exemption for paid and reimbursed expenses means that no tax liability arises where the employer meets or reimburses expenditure which would have qualified for tax relief if met by the employee. Paid and reimbursed expenses falling within the scope of the exemption do not need to be reported on the P11D.

PAYE Settlement Agreements

An employer can use a PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA) to meet the tax liability on certain benefits and expenses on the employee’s behalf. Items included in a PSA do not need to be returned on the P11D. A PSA is a continuing agreement and remains in place until revoked. Review PSAs before 6 July 2020 to ensure they remain valid and to add any new items that you wish to include.

Payrolled benefits

Employers can opt to tax benefits through the payroll (‘payrolling’) instead of reporting them to HMRC on the P11D. This option is available for all benefits excluding low-interest and interest-free loans and living accommodation. However, the employer must register before the start of the tax year to payroll.

Payrolled benefits do not need to be included on the P11D; however if other benefits are also provided, these must be included.

Remember to include payrolled benefits in the calculation of the Class 1A liability on the P11D(b).

Online or paper forms

Expenses and benefits returns can be filed online using HMRC’s Expenses and Benefits Online Service, PAYE for Employers or commercial software.

However, there is no requirement to file online and paper returns can be filed if this is preferred.

The deadline is 6 July 2020. Employees should be given a copy of their P11D by the same date.

A nil return is required where HMRC have sent a P11D(b) or a P11D(b) reminder letter. It can be made online at www.gov.uk/government/publications/paye-no-return-of-class-1a-national-insurance-contributions.

Pay Class 1A National Insurance

Class 1A National Insurance contributions for 2019/20 should be paid by 22 July 2020 if payment is made electronically. If payment is made by cheque, as 19 July falls on a Sunday, the cheque should reach HMRC by Friday 17 July.

The self-employment income support scheme (SEISS) provides financial help to self-employed traders and partners in partnerships who have lost income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not all self-employed traders can benefit – it is only open to those with profits from self-employment of £50,000 or less who have filed a 2018/19 tax return. The scheme will provide eligible traders with a grant equal to 80% of average profits for three months, capped at £2,500 a month. The grants should be paid in early June 2020.

Who is eligible?

To qualify, the individual must:

• have submitted their self-assessment tax return for 2018/19 by 23 April 2020;

• traded in 2019/20;

• be continuing to trade when they claim the grant, or would be except for the Coronavirus pandemic;

• intend to continue to trade in 2020/21; and

• they have lost profits due to the Coronavirus.

Traders who had not submitted their 2018/19 tax return by 23 April 2020 are not able to claim a grant under the SEIS.

£50,000 profit limit

The grant is limited to traders whose trading profits are not more than £50,000 either for 2018/19 or on average for the three years 2016/17 to 2018/19 inclusive. This if a trader has profits in excess of £50,000 for 2018/19 they can still qualify if their average profits over 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 are less than £50,000. Profits from self-employment must comprise at least 50% of the individual’s income.

Amount of the grant

The grant is based on average trading profits over the following three tax years:

• 2016/17;

• 2017/18; and

• 2018/19.

The grant is worth 80% of the average trading profits (capped at £2,500 per month) for three months. Where self-assessment returns have not been submitted for 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19, the grant will be calculated by reference to average profits for continuous periods of self-employment, either 2017/18 and 2018/19 or only 2018/19 where the trader was not trading in 2017/18, even if they traded in 2016/17. This will apply, for example, to those who only started trading in 2017/18 or 2018/19.

Making a claim

It is not yet possible to claim. HMRC are to write to those who (based on 2018/19 filed returns) they think are eligible for a grant in mid-May. Claims must be made via the online portal once this is open and grants should be paid in early June.

Help for those outside the scheme

The SEISS will not help all self-employed traders who lose income as a result of the pandemic. Those whose profits exceed £50,000 either in 2018/19 or an average over the three-year period from 2016/17 fall outside its scope, as do those who did not submit a 2018/19 tax return by 23 April 20202 or who did not start to trade until 2019/20. Individuals outside the scheme can, if eligible, make a claim for universal credit if they need financial help during the pandemic.

Deferring VAT and self-assessment

The self-employed can also take the opportunity to defer the self-assessment second payment on account for 2019/20, due by 31 July. Where this option is taken, the payment must be made by 31 January 2020. VAT registered businesses can also take advantage of the VAT deferral option.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) enables employers who are unable to maintain their workforce due to the COVID-19 pandemic to furlough their staff and claim a grant of 80% of the employee’s wages to a maximum of £2,500 a month. Employers are also able to claim the associated employer’s National Insurance contributions on the amount claimed, and also the minimum pension contributions that they are required to make under auto-enrolment. The full amount of the grant must be paid over to the furloughed employee, and the employee pays PAYE tax and National Insurance in the usual way. Employers can choose to top up the amount paid to employees to maintain their usual salary but are under no obligation to do so. The money received by the employer is taxable income and is taken into account computing their taxable profits.

Eligible employers

Claims can be made by employers who have furloughed staff as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as long as they: • created and started a PAYE payroll scheme on or before 19 March 2020; • are enrolled for PAYE online; and • have a UK bank account.

Eligible employees

Claims can only be made in respect of furloughed employees. The scheme does not apply to staff who have had their hours and pay reduced. Furloughed employees cannot do any work for the employer while furloughed, although they may be able to work for a different unconnected employer if their contract permits this or work in a self-employed capacity. Only furloughed employees who were on the payroll on or before 19 March 2020 and in respect of whom a PAYE submission had been made by this date are within the scope of the scheme. Employees who were on the payroll as at 28 February 2020 and who were made redundant after that date and before 19 March 2020 can be included in the scheme if the employer re-employs them and furloughs them. The employee does not need to be re-employed by 19 March to be eligible for furlough. The option to furlough an employee is available regardless of what type of contract an employee is on. Thus the scheme can be used to furlough employees on full or part-time contacts and also those on flexible or zero-hours contracts.

Amount of the claim

Employers can claim 80% of a furloughed employee’s wages to a maximum of £2,500 a month. The calculation of the amount which can be claimed will depend on how the employee is paid and whether their pay varies. The claim will be based on the employee’s ‘wages’, which are the regular payments which the employer makes to the employee. It will include non-discretionary overtime, fees and commission, but no discretionary payments. Payments in kind are also excluded. The employer can also claim the associated employer’s National Insurance and minimum pension contributions on the amount of the grant. HMRC have produced a calculator which can be used to work out the amount which can be claimed in respect of a furloughed employee. Claims should be made online via the online portal. Employers should receive the money within six working days.

As part of a number of measures to support the country during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Working Tax Credits payments will be increased by £1,045 to £3,040 per year from 6 April 2020 until 5 April 2021.

The amount a claimant or household will benefit from will depend on their circumstances, including their level of household income. But the increase could mean up to an extra £20 each week.

If you claim Working Tax Credits, you don’t have to take any action or contact HMRC – the increase in your payments will start from 6 April 2020.

If you’re a UK VAT registered business and have a VAT payment due between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2020, you have the option to:

• defer the payment until a later date

• pay the VAT due as normal

It does not cover VAT MOSS payments. HMRC will not charge interest or penalties on any amount deferred as a result of the Chancellor’s announcement. You will still need to submit your VAT returns to HMRC on time. HMRC will continue to process VAT reclaims and refunds as normal during this time.

If you choose to defer paying your VAT

If you choose to defer your VAT payment as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19), you must pay the VAT due on or before 31 March 2021. You do not need to tell HMRC that you are deferring your VAT payment.

Payments made by Direct Debit

If you normally pay by Direct Debit you should contact your bank to cancel your Direct Debit as soon as you can, or you can cancel online if you’re registered for online banking.

After the VAT deferral ends

VAT payments due following the end of the deferral period will have to be paid as normal. Further information about how to repay the VAT you’ve deferred will be available soon.

For Income Tax Self-Assessment, payments due on the 31 July 2020 may be deferred until 31 January 2021.

Eligibility

You are eligible if you are due to pay your second self-assessment payment on account on 31 July. You do not need to be self-employed to be eligible for the deferment. The deferment is optional. If you are still able to pay your second payment on account on 31 July you should do so.

How to access the scheme

This is an automatic offer with no applications required. No penalties or interest for late payment will be charged if you defer payment until January 2021.