Earlier this month, the Treasury published the latest Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) employee eligibility conditions, as well an explanation of how some reference pay calculations will change from 1 May 2021.
What’s changing from 1 May 2021?
Previously announced key changes to the CJRS have been formally confirmed:
- Eligible employees must have been included in a Real Time Information (RTI) PAYE return submitted to HMRC after 19 March 2020 and before 3 March 2021 (in effect this means a new employee eligibility category which covers those employed as at 2 March 2021 who did not previously qualify for a grant); and
- From 1 July 2021 grants will reduce to 70 percent of ‘reference salary’ (capped at £2,187.50 per month), and from 1 August 2021 reduce further to 60 percent of ‘reference salary’ (capped at £1,875 per month).
There is also an important change to the averaging calculation used when determining ‘reference pay’ for variably paid employees. This now removes periods of statutory leave, as well as periods of reduced rate paid leave immediately following a period of statutory leave where employees have been absent for part of the average pay period.
What should employers do to prepare?
These changes now mean that:
- There are three different groups of eligible employees defined by reference to when they appeared on an RTI submission, and potentially when they ceased employment and were re-employed, each with a different reference day for ‘reference salary’ calculations;
- Employers will once again have to consider the financial implications of reducing grants in looking ahead at their workforce requirements and what support the CJRS offers from now to September 2021; and
- Employers must change how they calculate ‘reference salary’ for variable rate employees from 1 May 2021 by excluding the time/pay associated with statutory leave and periods of reduced rate paid leave when performing the averaging calculation.
Employers should take steps now to identify individuals who will be affected by these changes, where relevant, source the data needed to calculate individuals’ ‘reference salaries’ on a revised basis, and factor any increase in costs into their budgeting in light of the reduction in CJRS support from July 2021.
Although the change to the ‘reference salary’ calculation will be welcomed by employees who may see an increase in furlough pay, employers may not relish the requirement to change their calculations going forward, explain to employees why their furlough pay has changed, and assure them they were not underpaid in prior periods.
What else should employers consider?
These changes illustrate the nuances and complexities associated with the CJRS.
When the scheme started last year, few would have expected the number of different directions and iterations of HMRC’s guidance – or that the scheme would run until September 2021.
A considerable number of employers have now made substantial claims under the CJRS based on complex and changing provisions. They must demonstrate these claims are robust to stakeholders including:
- Auditors wanting assurance that claims have been accurately calculated and employees correctly furloughed;
- Investors, with ESG being high on the agenda, compliance as well as the people aspects of CJRS are being carefully examined;
- The HMRC task force undertaking numerous reviews into how the calculations are undertaken and employee eligibility for the scheme;
- Due diligence reviewers in relation to sales/acquisitions and initial public offerings (IPOs); and
- Employees challenging whether they could have been underpaid (which could, potentially, lead to the employer being required to repay certain CJRS grants).
In addition, employers have an obligation to report any overclaimed CJRS grants to HMRC within 90 days of the date on which they arise, and are required to disclose and confirm the CJRS claims they were eligible to claim when submitting their corporation tax returns.
SRC-Time are one of the South East’s leading accountancy firms in advising on all aspects of business, taxation and corporate finance and we can assist in any issue raised above.
Our expert team is available to provide you with advice and can be contacted on 01273 326 556 or you can drop us an email at info@src-time.co.uk or speak with an account manager to get any process started.
