We are hearing more and more about local lockdowns. This grant scheme has been put in place by the government. If your business is affected by a local lockdown this grant may be available to your business

This grant applies to companies which close temporarily on or after 9^th September 2020.

The Grant

1. If your business has a rateable value under £51,000 the grant is £1,000 for each 3 week period the business is closed.
2. If your business has a rateable value of £51,000 or greater the grant is £1,500 for each 3 week period the business is closed.

The grant is extended to cover each 3 week period of closure. If a business is closed for 6 weeks it will be eligible for £2,000 or £3,000 (depending on its rateable value).

Legibility

1. Pays business rates for the property it occupies*.
2. Is in a local lockdown area. The government has required it to close for at least 3 weeks.
3. Due to closure has been unable to provide its usual in-person customer service from its premises *.
4. *1. Funding may be given at the discretion of the local council for businesses not paying business rates.
5. *3. Could also include businesses which normally operate as in-person venues but have been forced to operate differently such as providing a takeaway-only service instead.

Exclusions

1. Business which are able to operate during the lockdown as they do not depend on direct in-person services from their premises.
2. Businesses which are subject to national closures (e.g. nightclubs).
3. If a business closes voluntarily
4. Businesses that have reached the state aid limit (normally 200,000 Euros over a 3 year period, but there is the possibility of still being eligible under the COVID-19 Temporary Framework which has a limit of 800,000 Euros).

For full details visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-youre-eligible-for-the-coronavirus-local-restrictions-support-grant

The grant can be applied for through your local council.

If you need to free up some time for your business why not contact me? I can help with Bookkeeping, VAT, CIS, Payroll and Self Assesments. Based just outside King’s Lynn I am also within easy reach of Wisbech, Swaffham, Fakenham, Downham Market and the North Norfolk Coast. For more information please visit my website at http://barnowl-bookkeeping.co.uk/

There is now a list of organisations who can apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant on your behalf. Click on this link for the list. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-someone-to-apply-for-a-kickstart-scheme-grant-on-your-behalf

If you are not yet aware of the Kickstart Scheme please see my 9th September blog. Full information on the criteria can be viewed here : https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/kickstart-scheme

Below is a very brief introduction to the scheme :

The Kickstart Scheme provides grant funding to employers to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are :

1. Currently on Universal Credit and

2. At risk of long-term unemployment.

The first placements are likely to be available from November.

This is part of the government’s Plan for Jobs. This aims to create hundreds and thousands of new, fully funded jobs across England, Scotland and Wales.

Do you need to free up some extra time for your business? Maybe I can help. I’m Jo at Barnowl Bookkeeping. My services are Bookkeeping, VAT, Payroll, CIS and Self Assessment for the Self Employed. I specialise in the Hospitality, Building and Manufacturing Industries. Being based near King’s Lynn means I’m within easy reach of Wisbech, Downham Market, Fakenham, Swaffham and the North Norfolk Coast. You can call me on 07771 333324 or email jo@barnowl-bookkeeping.co.uk. My website is https://barnowl-bookkeeping.co.uk/ .

As announced by the Chancellor last week, Self Assessment customers can now apply online to spread the cost of their tax bill into monthly payments without the need to call HMRC.

The online self-serve ‘Time to Pay’ service, has been increased to £30,000 for Self Assessment customers, to help ease any potential financial burden they may be experiencing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Once you’ve completed your tax return for the 2019-20 tax year, you can use the online self-serve ‘Time to Pay’ service through GOV.UK to set up a direct debit and pay any tax that is owed in monthly instalments, up to a 12-month period.

If you wish to set up your own self-serve ‘Time to Pay’, you must meet the following requirements:

• no outstanding tax returns
• no other tax debts
• no other HMRC payments set up
• your Self Assessment tax bill is between £32 and £30,000
• it is no more than 60 days since the tax was due for payment. 

If you do not meet these requirements, you might still qualify for Time to Pay, but you will need to call HMRC to set this up.

If you set up a ‘Time to Pay’ arrangement, you will have to pay interest on the tax paid late. Interest will be applied to any outstanding balance from 1 February 2021.

This is extracted from data released by HMRC.

My name is Jo from Barnowl Bookkeeping www.barnowl-bookkeeping.co.uk If you are self employed and need help with your self assessment please contact me. My services are Bookkeeping, CIS, VAT, Payroll and Self Assessment for the Self Employed. Based near King’s Lynn I am also conveniently placed for Swaffham, Downham Market, Wisbech, Fakenham and the North Norfolk Coast.