The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme opens on 20th April, so ensure you have all the information you need to hand ...
- The bank account and sort code you'd like the payment made to
- The name and phone number of the person HMRC can call with any questions they may have
- Your Self-Assessment Unique Tax Reference (UTR), the company's own UTR or Company Registration Number
- The name, employee number and National Insurance number for each of your furloughed employees
- The total amount being claimed for all employees and the total furlough period
If you are working with an agent who is authorised to act for you on PAYE matters, they will be able to make the claim for you via the Government Gateway, but if you use a file-only agent (files your RTI return, but doesn’t act for you in other matters), they won’t be able to make the claim, so you’ll need the information listed above to make the claim yourself.
I would add that if Essendon Accounts & Tax processes your PAYE and you want us to make the application for you (which we're happy to do) then we will need a copy of each employee's furlough agreement so we can be sure who we're making the claim for and who is still in employment with you.
HMRC has made it clear that you should keep them for a minimum of five years, although I do wonder how long is it really going to take for HMRC to check up on each and every application.
If you feel inspired to find out more about anything I've said here, do call me on 01908 774320 or leave a comment below and I'll be in touch as soon as I can.