harrisandclarke

Just a polite reminder:

• Furlough claims for the May payroll to be completed.
• ‘Bounce Back’ loans to be claimed for those that wish to.
• Self employed claims. The letters to those qualifying are now being issued (originally planned for June). If you are self-employed and you haven’t had a letter by say 1^st June, then do please let us know.
• I should say that we have yet to complete a CBIL loan, which is a pretty poor show on behalf of the banks.

As to Harris and Clarke, then life carries on as normal. The usual tax return letters are being sent out (albeit later than usual) and do let us have your books and records as usual. We have maintained a skeleton staff throughout the ordeal and now are slowly bringing back staff to our full complement, subject to soap, hand sanitizer and usual good humour. I would like to say the end is in sight, but instead will quote Churchill after El Alamein, ‘This is not the end, or the beginning of the end, but it may be the end of the beginning’. We shall see.

And lastly, for all you Eel fans out there you will no doubt be pleased that the Government have seen fit that young elvers have reached the Great Ouse.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/eels-have-arrived-at-the-great-ouse. It would appear that at least the stoat and eel populations have thrived during the lock down period.

Dear all

I will not send Round Robins unless there is something worth saying. Two things please:

• Individuals attitude to borrowing money varies, but quite frankly the ‘Bounce Back’ loan should be keenly pursued in my opinion. 12 month interest free, followed by 5 years at 2.5%. Why would you not do that? No arrangement fees! Apply through your individual banks portal. It is not difficult and the money comes through quickly. Just don’t spend it!
• Furlough. The scheme has been extended to October, but with ‘changes’ in August. I don’t wholly understand the thinking here. In my view the furlough is the best way to get people back to work as lack of money generally concentrates the mind. The extension must be indicative that the safety concerns are not yet over.

Thankfully we are not in charge of this process and the reaction to it. It is a wholly invidious role as everyone has an opinion, usually laced with a good dose of hindsight. I just hope Miriam Margolyes has plenty of self isolation time to reflect upon her nastiness.

As always, any queries please shout

Dear all

Please find details of the new initiative, the ‘bounce back’ loan. I presume this is necessary because the banks have made a hash of the original CBIL’s initiative.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/small-businesses-boosted-by-bounce-back-loans

This initiative should be actively pursued, once the application period opens on 4th May.

Dear all

Please find the approved legislation concerning the scheme.

200414_CJRS_DIRECTION_-_33_FINAL_Signed[13229]

Dear all

Firstly, Happy St.George’s day. Currently there would appear to be an obvious dragon that could be usefully slain and any assistance would be appreciated. (No, not Matt Hancock).

Secondly. We have now completed a few Furlough scheme applications and the consensus appears to be that they are reasonably straightforward for monthly paid staff, but once any level of detail is delved into, the process becomes the more difficult; average wages, employment allowance, directors etc etc.

There is also the practical problem of obtaining / remembering gateway passwords, where the payroll package automatically submits the RTI information.

So, the advice has to be to be careful. Once this is all over and St.George has done his job, the HMRC audit department will be all over the claims like a rash. (They already have the payroll figures don’t forget). Currently, there is no legislation, or case precedent to refer to as such so, above all, keep all your workings and be able to justify what you are doing.

We certainly do not have a monopoly of wisdom in this matter, but if you want to discuss or garner a second opinion please do make contact.

Nothing really new to report, save that the Furlough scheme is now open for business (any help required do please contact) and the government have announced a one stop shop for the various Covid 19 packages.

https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder

Dear all,

In preparation for the furlough claim which opens on 20th April, we have now been given guidelines as to the necessary preparatory work. (See below).

If you require any help in this connection please shout.

Despite being told that the Councils would contact the ratepayer, inevitably there is a form that has to be completed if you want to claim from NBC!

Please find the link below:

https://br-grant-nbc.lgss-revs-bens.com/?fbclid=IwAR2GJGzDq0TySXAbH7hqpIWwfJCFveGWChSe71DCuBF9AOFpnIiloIAeRqU

This applies to recipients of rate relief and those in the leisure and retail industries.

Please find a HMRC letter in respect of the preparation for the Furlough scheme payments. Do please be careful of scammers!

Dear customer,
We want to help you get ready to make a claim under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
If you’re eligible for the scheme, there are things that you can do now to be ready when the system is up and running later this month.
You’ll need to provide the following to make a claim:
1. The bank account number and sort code you’d like us to use when we pay your claim.
2. The name and phone number of the person in your business for us to call with any questions.
3. Your Self-Assessment UTR (Unique Tax Reference), Company UTR or CRN (Company Registration Number).
4. The name, employee number and National Insurance number for each of your furloughed employees.
5. The total amount being claimed for all employees and the total furlough period.
If you use an agent who is authorised to act for you for PAYE purposes, they will be able to make a claim on your behalf, so please speak to them now.
However, if you use a file-only agent (files your RTI return but doesn’t act for you in other matters), they won’t be able to make a claim for you and you’ll need the information listed above from them to make the claim yourself.
For more detailed advice, please visit GOV.UK. This guidance is being regularly updated, so please review it frequently.
You may also find this recorded webinar helpful, ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19) Job Retention Scheme’, available on HMRC’s YouTube channel.
We’ll email you again in the next few days with more details on how and when to access the online system – please do not try to do this until we let you know it is available.
We wish you all the best at this challenging time,
HMRC Customer Services

At last, some none corona-virus news.

The government has found time to issue a statement concerning the new woodland scheme, whereby in the future they are able to buy carbon guarantee units, so as to offset against various carbon footprints.

This is potentially very important, particularly if the Agriculture Act is eventually passed.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/10m-to-boost-tree-planting-in-second-auction-of-woodland-carbon-guarantee