The government have announced new timescales for employers to lodge a furlough claim with the HMRC.
All claims must be submitted within two weeks of the end of the previous calendar month, unless there is a reasonable excuse for not making a claim in this time frame.
Timeframes for claims to be submitted by:
| Furlough Days Occur: | Claim Submitted by: |
| November 2020 | 14th December 2020 |
| December 2020 | 14th January 2021 |
| January 2021 | 15th February 2021 |
| February 2021 | 15th March 2021 |
| March 2021 | 14th April 2021 |
HMRC guidance acknowledges the below examples could be deemed as a reasonable excuse for missing the deadlines:
- There has been an unexpected stay in hospital which prevented the claim being dealt with.
- A partner or another close relative passed away before the deadline.
- You suffered a serious illness or life-threatening illness, including Coronavirus, which prevent making the claim.
- You were self-isolating which prevented making the claim.
- Technical issues or software failure before submitting the online claim, or issues with the HMRC online services.
- Fire, flood or theft.
- Postal delays that were unpredicted.
- Delays relating to a disability you have prevented the claim being made.
- HMRC error.
HMRC will not consider reasonable excuses in advance of a claim deadline.
To make a claim employer’s will need their government gateway user ID and password when registered for PAYE online.
Claims can be done before during or after payrolls are processed as long as claims are submitted by the relevant claim deadline. Claims cannot be submitted more than 14 days before the claim period end date.
Claims can be saved as a draft if they cannot be finished in one session, but claims must be completed within seven days of being started.
If employers need to delete a claim in the online service, you must do this within 72 hours of starting it.
If you would like further information, please contact Clover HR on 0121 516 0299 or email us at info@cloverhr.co.uk
