Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Extended to Help as Many People as Possible

HMRC announced earlier today that they have extended the qualifying date for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme from 28 February 2020 to 19 March 2020.

This means that employers can now claim for furloughed employees, who were on their payroll as at 19 March 2020.  However, the employee must have been confirmed to HMRC through an RTI submission notifying payment in respect of that employee on or before 19 March 2020. Originally the furloughed employees had to be on the payroll at 28 February 2020.

The aim of the extension is to help as many people as possible and is expected to benefit an additional 200,000 employees. This will help some weekly, fortnightly and 4-weekly payrolls that cut off in mid-March.  However, where monthly payrolls reported February starters in March these employees will still be excluded which will result in a lot of employees missing out.

Photo by Anastasiia Chepinska on Unsplash

The information in this blog provides only an overview of HMRC guidance and legislation in force at the date of publication and no action should be taken without consulting the detailed HMRC guidance and legislation or seeking professional advice.  Therefore no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the material contained in this blog can be accepted by the firm.