HMRC has now started testing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) portal on a small number of employers ready for the planned full release on 20th April. As a reminder, any employer looking to claim back 80% of furloughed employees pay under CJRS will need to make the necessary claim via the online portal.
As more details are released on the portal, we are now aware that to access the portal and to make a claim, the employer must be enrolled for PAYE online. We know that a number of employers may not be set up with HMRC for PAYE online as this is not a compulsory element of operating a payroll. If you are not currently registered for this service, you should look to do so urgently to minimise the delays on both claiming and obtaining the Job Retention Scheme payments.
It is important to note that once you have registered, HMRC will issue the activation code and send it by post to the PAYE registered address and that this code can take up to 10 days to be issued. You will be unable to access PAYE online until the activation code has been received and entered. This process will, therefore, cause delays for those currently not set up for PAYE online in claiming under CJRS.
Details of how to register for PAYE online are available from HRMC’s website are here: https://www.gov.uk/paye-online/enrol.
If you do require any assistance with registering for PAYE online, then we can help you with that as part of our service.
Payroll / Furlough Processes
CJRS significantly complicates the payroll process, which now requires a combination of commercial, legal, HR, tax and financial processes to ensure you comply with the necessary legislation and get the cash your business needs. TC Group can manage the process from start to finish and avoid the complications of internal teams or 3rd parties trying to interpret our guidance, so talk to us now about your payroll process and handing it over to the TC team.
Contact us on 0330 088 7111 to discuss the points raised in this email or any other concerns you have as a business owner, about your personal finances, or as an employer.