30 March 2020,
OFFICE AND TAX INFORMATION UPDATE
Office
To comply with the further regulations as set out on Friday 27 March to slow the spread of the
COVID 19 Coronavirus in Ireland, we have implemented the following additional procedures in our
offices which will be effective until such restrictions are eased. In the circumstances we are sure you
will understand that these are meant to keep both our staff and you safe while enabling us to
continue to provide you with support services.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us as normal with any queries you have.
PAYE/VAT – Filing of Returns
The advice that has been issued from the Revenue Commissioners is that they will not apply any
interest charges to late payments of VAT arising on Jan/Feb returns that are due in March, and also
to late payments of PAYE/PRSI arising on February and March returns that are due in March and
April. In addition, they have stated that “all debt enforcement activity is suspended until further
notice”. Details of these and other measures announced can be found at the following link – it is
noted that the Revenue Commissioners require that tax returns are still filed on time as normal,
albeit that taxpayers might not pay the full amount of VAT or PAYE/PRSI that is due;
https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/press-releases/2020/pr-130320-revenueannounce-measures-to-assist-smes-experiencing-cashflow-difficulties-arising-from-covid-19.aspx
In short the advice we are being given is continue filing returns at this time, but do not pay the
liability if funds are not available.
PAYROLL
Firstly, if you are experiencing any COVID 19 Coronavirus issues with your payroll/employees or you
have any queries in relation to the operation of your payroll system due to these circumstances,
please contact either ourselves or your payroll provider directly.
If you have lost your job, or your business has closed due to the COVID 19 Coronavirus pandemic,
you may have an entitlement to the COVID 19 pandemic unemployment payment. This is paid for up
to 12 weeks and a 1 page application form must be filled out. Information in relation to this is at the
link below.
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/be74d3-covid-19-pandemic-unemployment-payment/#what-thecovid-19-pandemic-unemployment-payment-is
Secondly, if an employer can retain staff on the payroll, but is unable to meet all wage payments due
to being adversely affected by COVID-19, the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme may be useful in
assisting an employer through this crisis.
The following link will give access to guidance and eligibility requirements for this scheme which can
cover up to 70% (max. €410 subject to conditions) of employee net pay. This is also open to
directors of qualifying companies but not the self-employed.
https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/communications/covid19/temporary-covid-19-wage-subsidyscheme.aspx
BANKING/CASH FLOW
If your business is experiencing cash flow problems as a result of the COVID 19 Coronavirus
pandemic, or you anticipate this will happen in the future we would advise that you contact your
bank directly and discuss what options they have available to you, from deferring loan repayments,
to offering loans and overdraft facilities. You may not need these facilities now, but might be
grateful for them in a month’s time.
COMPANIES REGISTRATION OFFICE/ANNUAL RETURNS
Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the CRO has announced that it is not in a position to process
submissions or answer queries at this time. They had previously announced that all submissions due
at present, but received by 30 June would be considered as filed on time, but this is now uncertain.
If you have any queries on the above do not hesitate to contact the staff member that handles your
affairs in our office.