More relief packages have been announced by the Republic of Ireland to help its struggling businesses through to 2021 and the next financial year.
Support is through the Commercial Rates Waiver where, with only limited exceptions, all businesses will be granted a waiver up to 31 December 2020.
More information can be found here: Government supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses – DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)
Eligible businesses can also register for the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS).
Details of CRSS were published in the Finance Bill 2020 and Revenue has now advised that registration for the scheme is now available to eligible businesses, or the tax agent acting on their behalf, via the e-Registration facility on the Revenue Online Service (ROS) website.
Under the CRSS, a qualifying person is someone who carries on a business activity that is impacted by Covid-19 related restrictions, such that the business is required to prohibit or considerably restrict customers from accessing its premises, can make a claim to Revenue for a payment, subject to a maximum of €5,000, for each week that it is affected by the restrictions.
The weekly payment will be calculated by reference to the average weekly turnover for 2019 in respect of the relevant business activity as follows:
- 10% of average weekly turnover in 2019 up to €20,000
- 5% of average weekly turnover in 2019 in excess of €20,000
- and
- subject to a maximum of €5,000.
The relevant turnover details provided as part of the registration process must be consistent with the information included in the relevant tax returns of the business and will be validated against the information already held on Revenue systems.
Registration for CRSS is a necessary first step for businesses to access the scheme. A claim portal for CRSS is available via the eRepayments system on ROS.