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 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. 

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 is open from 6 April to 31 December 2021. At Autumn Budget 2021, the Chancellor announced that the Recovery Loan Scheme would be extended until 30 June 2022.

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: 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.

• Check if you're eligible for the coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant
• Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Recovery Loan Scheme
• Reporting coronavirus (COVID-19) grants and support payments
• Find coronavirus financial support for your business
• What to do if you cannot pay your tax bill on time

Overview of CJRS
General information on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which ended on 30 September 2021.

How the CJRS changed from 1 November 2020
Essential information on the support scheme covering changes from November 2020. This guidance also provides links to useful resources, such as an example claim form, and further support from ICAEW and HMRC. The scheme ended on 30 September 2021.

• Reporting coronavirus (COVID-19) grants and support payments
• Make a late Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme claim
• Check a previous Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme claim
• Claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
• 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.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
This guidance covers how to apply for the Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), including information on eligibility, how to apply, and time periods covered. Claims for the fifth SEISS grant have now closed. The last date for making a claim was 30 September 2021.

• Reporting coronavirus (COVID-19) grants and support payments
• Check if you need to change your Self Assessment return for SEISS
• Tell HMRC and pay back a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant

• Check if you're eligible for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant
• Culture Recovery Fund
• VAT: reduced rate for hospitality, holiday accommodation and attractions
• Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
• 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)