Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Robert Troy has said it makes no sense that employers cannot avail of the COVID-19 wage subsidy scheme if they submitted payroll returns late.
Deputy Troy made the comments as Revenue are rejecting applications to the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme based on payroll returns for January or February being submitted late. He said there needs to be flexibility shown to tax compliant companies who did not submit payroll returns before the arbitrary date but can easily demonstrate their claim.
He explained, “The whole point of the COVID-19 wage subsidy scheme is to maintain employment. Employers supported by the Government scheme are encouraged to keep employees on the books and off the live register.
“The Minister has put a lot of her energy into urging businesses to avail of this scheme rather than let employees go or lay them off temporarily. So, telling tax compliant businesses, who were even a day late in submitting their payroll returns for January or February, that they cannot apply for it is nonsense.
“There could be any number of genuine reasons why a company was delayed in submitting their payroll returns. It can be easily verified through bank statements, payslips, or employees’ records from previous months.
“Having spoken with a number of businesses I know that this is an issue across the board and the fact that there is no channel to appeal Revenues decision is causing huge stress to companies and their employees.
