ICAS updates fact sheet on Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
By Justine Riccomini, Head of Taxation(Scottish Taxes, Employment & ICAS Tax Community)
14 May 2020
Justine Riccomini informs members of the updates to the CJRS fact sheet.
Coronavirus Hub
When the coronavirus measures were first introduced by HM Government, ICAS produced a number of documents, webinars, resources and information in relation to the various assistance packages available and set up the coronavirus hub so that members could access these easily.
The fact sheets on the hub have been updated as and when new information becomes available. The revised CJRS fact sheet is now available.
Extension to 31 October 2020
Further information was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 11 May in relation to the CJRS and this is covered in the fact sheet as well as in another ICAS article.
Office Equipment – reimbursements by employers to employees
Good news also emerged on 13 May when HMRC decided to temporarily exempt reimbursements by employers of office equipment to enable employees to work from home and avoid risks to their health and safety – such as the purchase of an office chair where the employee might have otherwise sat on a sofa for long periods to work from a lap top. HMRC is able to exercise discretion over items supplied in this way between 16 March 2020 and 5 April 2021.
Previously, HMRC’s stance was that the items would need to be declared on a PAYE Settlement Agreement if not purchased directly by the employer – which is deemed an exempt purchase under s.316 ITEPA 2003. A written statement was issued by Jesse Norman, Financial Secretary to the Treasury to confirm the position. ICAS has been in talks with HMRC about this for a number of weeks, and so the news was very welcome.
Read the ICAS fact sheet, and stay up to date with developments as they happen.
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