The government unveiled an extended scheme of support for enterprises that have been hurt the hardest by the reinstatement of trade restrictions due to the widespread pandemic.

EWSS (Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme)

The EWSS will remain in effect for the great majority of enterprises affected by the recently amended restrictions, with the higher rates published on December 9 remaining in effect.

Furthermore, the government agreed today that the EWSS will reopen for some enterprises that would otherwise be ineligible, and that these businesses will be maintained until the scheme expires on April 30, 2022.

The new arrangements for EWSS will provide employers who have previously availed of EWSS but who are no longer eligible, with the opportunity to re-qualify for the scheme where they meet specific conditions.

Employers that qualify for re-entry to the scheme will receive support on a prospective basis from 1 January 2022 onwards, and they can remain in the scheme until its expiry date (30 April 2022).

CRSS ( Covid Restrictions Support Scheme)

The COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) was originally designed to support those businesses who had to close their business premises completely or severely restrict access to their premises as a result of Government restrictions.

The maximum sales a business could earn was 25% of their pre pandemic revenues to qualify for the subsidy.

Those rules have now been relaxed whereby businesses can qualify for the scheme even if they keep their doors open to customers and earn up to 40% of pre pandemic sales.

This is aimed at those in the hospitality sector who remain open but have to shut their doors at 8pm.

The turnover reduction criteria will be increased from no more that 25% of 2019 turnover to no more that 40% of 2019 turnover, and new businesses established between 13 October 2020 and 26 July 2021 will now be eligible to apply for the scheme.

Currently any business established after 12 October 2020 is not eligible for CRSS. The government has now agreed to allow new businesses established between 13 October 2020 and 26 July 2021 to be eligible to apply for the scheme.

Tax Debt Warehousing