Business

Audit of Furlough Arrangements

BUSINESS OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED

Over the last few weeks we have produced a significant amount of guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the process and requirements for furloughing staff. The Government guidance has been changed several times and has been quite contradictory in part. The claims portal has now opened and hundreds of thousands of businesses have submitted claims for their furloughed staff.

We understand it is HMRC's intention to pay out all of the properly submitted claims immediately, but will then retrospectively audit a large number of these claims. If businesses are found to not hold the proper paperwork, do not have adequate justification for furloughing, or have calculated the claim incorrectly HMRC will seek to recover the payments.

Given that one of the requirements is to hold paperwork relating to these claims for 5 years, they appear to be anticipating the audit process will take a considerable amount of time. Businesses therefore need to ensure that they are ready for this audit now and remedy any potential issues whilst the employees remain furloughed.

Forbes are offering a fixed fee audit of your furlough arrangements to ensure they are compliant with the legislation and current guidance. We will advise you on any areas which need addressing, potential issues with your claims and we can provide a pre-prepared report to provide to HMRC in respect of these payments, should you be audited.

Please contact Amy Stokes on 0333 207 1157 or email amy.stokes@forbessolicitors.co.uk.