Coronavirus - Limited Companies - What Are Your Choices?

Now we've probably heard all the major Coronavirus announcements from the Chancellor, what choices do Director-Shareholder Limited Companies have to help them through this crisis? We provide a checklist below with signposting to the relevant part of gov.uk.

Time To Pay

Applicable to all companies and all taxes, you can call HMRC and agree a scheduled delay to paying your taxes. Have a realistic proposal that you can stick to. Signpost: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-helpline-to-support-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19

Time To File

Companies house will allow you to send in your accounts 3 months later than normal, a increase from the usual 9 months to 12 months, as long as you ask before the 9 month deadline.

This may help if you're finding it hard to get your figures prepared, but we would urge all companies to keep their figures and accounts up to date to help them keep on top of their finances particularly cashflow. Signpost: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-more-time-to-file-your-companys-accounts#coronavirus-covid-19

Corporation Tax

Using an existing, normal rule, remember that if you make a trading loss during your current year end, you can carry it back 12 months and generate a corporation tax refund from the tax you paid in your previous accounting year.  Your loss may be increased by making a higher home office claim, due to working from home more often than usual.

Business Interruption Loan

Applicable to all companies, you may borrow from your current bank or another in the scheme, interest free and fee free for 12 months without providing any security up to £250k. If your company should be viable for the long term, this must be worth a look as a flexible option. Signpost: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme-cbils-2/for-businesses-and-advisors/

Director Personal Income Tax Payments Deferral

You may be due to pay income tax on your dividends on 31 July 2020 on account for the 2019/20 tax year. HMRC will not charge interest if this isn't paid on 31 July, as long as it's paid by 31 January 2021, the next income tax payment date. Again, this is designed to provide some immediate breathing space, but will need to be paid 6 months later along with any other income tax due by 31 January 2021. Signpost: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/deferral-of-self-assessment-payment/

If your dividends are less than expected for this tax year to 5 April 2020, it should be worth sending in your income tax return as soon as possible after 6 April to generate an income tax refund from your January 2020 payment on account.

Director Personal Mortgage Or Rent Deferral

To help your personal cashflow further, reducing the need to rely fully on your company's finances, you may ask your mortgage company or landlord for a mortgage or rent deferral for 3 months. This will need paying back in due course, so be confident this is something you should be able to manage.  

If your personal finances are very stretched you may want to claim state benefits which can also help with housing costs, if you're eligible.

VAT Deferral

If your company is VAT registered, you won't have to pay any VAT due between 20 March and 30 June 2020. This covers VAT quarters ended 29 February, 31 March, 30 April and possibly 31 May.

If you pay by direct debit, remember to cancel your direct debit in good time, and then reinstate it afterwards. HMRC won't ask for any explanation, charge interest or penalties as long as you repay this VAT by 31 March 2021. This may provide good breathing space for the next couple of months, but do have a plan to refund it before 31 March 2021. Signpost: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deferral-of-vat-payments-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19 

Your VAT returns are due as normal, refunds will be paid as usual and VAT due outside of this period remains due. 

Job Retention Scheme

If you have employees whose jobs are at risk due to a downturn in your business, you can keep them on the books by labelling them as 'furloughed' employees for a minimum of 3 weeks at a time for a maximum of the three months March, April and May. They cannot do any work at all for you during the period they are furloughed.

You need to pay your staff and operate PAYE on either full pay or 80% of their pay. The government will refund you, starting at the end of April, 80% of their pay, up to £2,500 per month, plus the associated national insurance and 3% auto-enrolment pension contribution if the employee is enrolled. Sign post: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

We are still waiting to hear whether owner-directors can 'furlough' themselves where their business is on hold but they need to continue to carry out statutory duties such as preparing VAT returns or filing annual returns. If such a director was on a salary of £719 per month, this should mean a maximum refund of £1,725. [EDIT: It has been confirmed that owner-directors can furlough themselves, as long as they don't work on the business and confine themselves to statutory duties. This is easy to demonstrate for freelancers and consultants who have no contracts at all or if a high street retailer has closed and isn't carrying out any alternative business activity. The company through the Board of directors needs to make this decision and record it in the minutes of the meeting.]

Separate to this, if your employees are off work due to being ill from the Coronavirus you can reclaim their sick pay for up to 2 weeks. This is also available to you as a director. Signpost: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-businesses-who-are-paying-sick-pay-to-employees

Business Rates

If you pay business rates, your company may be entitled to receive a £10k or £25k grant, which we assume will be taxable as for most other grants. 

A £10k grant is available to any business which receives small business grant relief (SBRR) Signpost: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-businesses-that-pay-little-or-no-business-rates

If you're in the retail, hospitality or leisure sectors, you'll pay no business rates from 6 April 2020 to 5 April 2021. If your rateable value is up to £15k, you'll receive a grant of £10k, or if it's between £15k and £51k a grant of £25k. Signpost: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-businesses-that-pay-business-rates 

You don't need to take any action because your local authority will contact you.

In summary, please take appropriate advice to ensure you optimise your company's particular situation. We're in a fast moving situation and HMRC might amend its guidance without any signposting at all! 

Stay well.