Important Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme reminder for Falkirk businesses

According to online tax advisory firm Blick Rothenberg, CJRS claims need to be made now – with thousands of businesses that wish to make claims under the scheme up until the end of June need to do so by the end of this month or they will lose out.

Andrew Sanford, Blick Rothenberg partner, said: “Claims for the period have to be in by July 31 – after that they will not be accepted. The deadline is fast approaching and many businesses may not be aware of the deadline.

He added: “While it may seem surprising some claims have not yet been submitted, the complexities of the claim itself and the demands on the business owner, have meant that for some businesses the claims are still to be made.

“July 31 is a key date for CJRS claims. Some businesses, particularly smaller ones, may have been waiting to make a single claim covering the full period – they need to act quickly, or they will lose the opportunity.

“For claims covering the month of July onwards, there are some significant changes to the process. Even if you are confident you understand CJRS and have made all your claims up to June 30, extra work will be needed in the coming months.”

From now on employees can be “flexibly furloughed” for part of their working week, but employers need to calculate their “usual hours” based on their working pattern last year, and using a calendar (not working) day basis.

Employers cannot make the claim until they know the actual hours worked in the month – so this may mean the funds do not reach their bank account before their normal salary payment date.

They will either have to make an estimated claim and amend it later or be ready to make the claim promptly as soon as they have the information.

Andrew said: “ The amount you can claim is changing each month – from August, no claim can be made for NIC and pension contributions, and for September and October you will have to contribute to furlough costs, so the employee always receives at least 80 per cent of their usual pay.

“The contribution for September will be 10 per cent and for October it will be 20 per cent.”

The CJRS will come to an end on October 31, with all claims having to be submitted by November 30.