UK practical business advice: COVID-19

You can read the latest advice and guidance from government for businesses on its coronavirus pages.

We will be updating this page on a continuous basis to keep you, your business and your clients informed with all the latest information. For tax specific advice you may also want to visit the tax section of ICAEW's coronavirus hub. 

Guidance on Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Essential information on the UK government's key support scheme for employers, including changes from 1 November, flexible furloughing, key dates, how to apply and who isn't covered by CJRS. This guidance also provides links to useful resources, such as an example claim form, and further support from ICAEW and HMRC.

Overview of CJRS
General information on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, how to apply and who is excluded from the scheme.

• Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme from July 2021
• Check if you can claim for your employees' wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
• Claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Find out if you can claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for individuals who are not employees
• Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme calculator
• Get help with the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme from HMRC
• Ask HMRC not to publish your Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme claim details

Engagement letters helpsheet: Part 2 J-C Furlough grant claim services
Sample wording for claiming the coronavirus job retention scheme grant on behalf of clients, for practitioners and businesses. This is a supplementary schedule to the main engagement letter helpsheet.

Acas Furlough letter template
Selection of templates (including new versions covering flexible furlough) for an agreement to temporarily send home an employee because there's no work ('furlough'). Free to download and use.

Employment legal advice
Legal advice for employers during coronavirus provided by Edwin Coe LLP.

Recovery Loan Scheme replacement for COVID-19 debt schemes
Business loans and other types of finance will be available under the UK government’s Recovery Loan Scheme, after the COVID-19 debt schemes close at the end of March 2021. The scheme will be open from 6 April to 31 December 2021.

COVID-19 challenges for business: Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) repayments
The aim of this helpsheet is to assist small businesses who have taken out BBLS loans and now face the prospect of starting repayments. It provides some questions for small business owners to consider and pointers to further sources of help.

Repaying business rates relief claimed due to COVID-19
HM Treasury confirms that repayments of business rates relief claimed in light of the potential impact of the coronavirus pandemic are tax deductible.

COVID-19: VAT and self assessment payment deferral
The UK government is supporting businesses during the coronavirus pandemic by deferring VAT and self assessment payments. ICAEW's Tax Faculty outlines how the deferral will work.

COVID-19: Support on negotiating time to pay
Useful tips on how to negotiate with HMRC from the Tax Faculty, as they seek seeks further clarification on the support for businesses having difficulty paying tax bills due to COVID-19.

• Recovery Loan Scheme
• Reopening businesses and venues in England – which businesses can reopen in Steps 1 to 4 of easing lockdown restrictions
• Support for businesses affected by national and local coronavirus restrictions (open and closed businesses)
• Find coronavirus financial support for your business
• Deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
• What to do if you cannot pay your tax bill on time

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
If you are self-employed or a member of a partnership in the UK and have lost income due to coronavirus (COVID-19) this scheme will allow you to claim a taxable grant worth a percentage of your trading profits. This guidance covers how to apply for the Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), including information on eligibility, how to apply, time periods covered and changes to the scheme.

Options for 31 January self assessment deadline
Updated 19 February 2021
As HMRC is resisting calls for an easement on self assessment late filing penalties, ICAEW's Tax Faculty outlines the options available to taxpayers and agents who will have difficulty filing or paying.

• Self-Employment Income Support Scheme fourth grant
• Claim a grant through the coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme
• Defer your Self Assessment payment on account due to coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 challenges for business: Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) repayments
The aim of this helpsheet is to assist small businesses who have taken out BBLS loans and now face the prospect of starting repayments. It provides some questions for small business owners to consider and pointers to further sources of help.

Recovery Loan Scheme replacement for Covid-19 debt schemes
Business loans and other types of finance will be available under the UK government's Recovery Loan Scheme, after the Covid-19 debt schemes close at the end of March 2021. The scheme will be open from 6 April to 31 December 2021.

• Recovery Loan Scheme

Recovery Advice for Business scheme
The Recovery Advice for Business scheme gives small firms access to free, one-to-one advice with an expert to help them through the pandemic and prepare for long-term recovery. Advice offered includes accountancy, legal, advertising, marketing, recruitment and digital.

Small Business Leadership Programme
Funded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and delivered by university business schools, this free online programme helps SMEs enhance their resilience and recovery from the impact of COVID-19.

Peer Networks
A free peer-to-peer virtual networking programme for SMEs supported by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and delivered locally by the network of Growth Hubs across England.

Recovery Loan Scheme replacement for Covid-19 debt schemes
Business loans and other types of finance will be available under the UK government's Recovery Loan Scheme, after the Covid-19 debt schemes close at the end of March 2021. The scheme will be open from 6 April to 31 December 2021.

• Recovery Loan Scheme

Recovery Loan Scheme replacement for Covid-19 debt schemes
Business loans and other types of finance will be available under the UK government's Recovery Loan Scheme, after the Covid-19 debt schemes close at the end of March 2021. The scheme will be open from 6 April to 31 December 2021.

• Recovery Loan Scheme
• Apply for the COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility

Chancellor reveals new lockdown grants for retail and hospitality firms
6 January 2021: One-off grants of up to £9,000 per property will be paid to businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors as the government outlined a new £4.6bn package of measures to help businesses through the latest lockdown.

• Reopening businesses and venues in England – which businesses can reopen in Steps 1 to 4 of easing lockdown restrictions
• Check if you're eligible for a coronavirus Restart Grant (grants available from 1 April 2021)
• VAT: reduced rate for hospitality, holiday accommodation and attractions
• Check if your retail, hospitality or leisure business is eligible for business rates relief due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Check if your nursery is eligible for business rates relief due to coronavirus (COVID-19)