This blog relates to clients who do NOT use the Bromhead payroll service.
Whilst we have limited information on the furlough claim process so far, as you complete your payroll we wanted to advise on the information released so far. HMRC are aiming for 20th April as the release date for the portal.
Whilst full details of the portal and subsequent payment aren’t yet clear the following is
- Payroll record must have been active on 28th Feb 2020.
- The business must have a UK bank account
- The business must be registered for PAYE online with HMRC
The last point above needs consideration. Your payroll record may have been set up way back in the depths of time and you might not be registered for PAYE online. Alternatively you may be registered but can't recall the credentials. You potentially may not have updated HMRC with any change of address, email or phone number. We foresee a rush of businesses trying to do so when they wake up to this fact towards the end of the month. If you are registered please disregard but if you aren’t then follow below. We think there could be some unprocessed furlough claims at the end of the month.
Enrol if you didn’t register online
You only need to enrol separately for HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) PAYE Online service if you didn’t get a login when you registered as an employer - this is usually because you didn’t register online.
You’ll need your PAYE reference and Accounts Office reference - these are included in the letter from HMRC confirming your registration.
After enrolling, you’ll need to activate your account.
Enrol for PAYE Online
How you enrol depends on whether you already have an online account for other taxes, eg Corporation Tax or Self Assessment.
You already have an account
Log in to HMRC Online Services, then select the option to enrol for ‘PAYE for Employers’ under ‘Services you can add’ and enter your details.
You don’t have an account
Enrol as a new user by selecting ‘PAYE for Employers’ under ‘Organisation’ and following the steps.
Activate PAYE Online
- You’ll get a letter in the post within 10 days of enrolling - this will include your activation code.
- Log in to HMRC Online Services again within 28 days of getting your code.
- Activate the service by entering your code.
We hope this is helpful and gets you ahead of the game ensuring your furlough application will be successful.
