Latest guidance on the coronavirus job retention scheme

In the last issue I looked at HMRC’s initial guidance on the coronavirus job retention scheme (CJRS) and raised a number of points on which further detail was needed. Helpfully just in time for this week’s edition HMRC has updated the guidance and provided answers to at least some of those questions (tinyurl.com/tapx56j).

Personal service companies

The position of individuals operating though a personal service company (PSC) has been much discussed. They do not qualify for the self-employed scheme but what about the CJRS? Can a PSC put its sole director/employee onto furlough?

HMRC’s latest guidance now deals explicitly with this point. It starts by looking at the position of company directors generally. It confirms that salaried directors are eligible for furlough but makes it clear that directors owe statutory duties to their company; it would be...