Revenue confirms high numbers of employers have confirmed their eligibility for EWSS
A key requirement of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) since its introduction in September 2020 is that employers undertake a review of their trading situation on the last day of every month to ensure they continue to meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria. In this context, and as trading activities resume across many sectors of the economy, the EWSS Eligibility Review Form (ERF) was developed by Revenue to assist employers in conducting the required monthly review of their continuing eligibility for the scheme.
Recognising the demands and challenges faced by employers and their tax agents in this current economic environment, the initial deadline to complete and submit the EWSS ERF in respect of June 2021 was extended from 30 July 2021 to 15 August 2021. The eligibility review form in respect of July 2021 was also due to be submitted on this date.
Over the last number of weeks, Revenue contacted 12,300 individual businesses as well as 1,300 agents representing 14,350 employers who had not submitted their EWSS ERF for June and/or July by the 15 August deadline to ensure that employers who remain eligible for EWSS take the necesssary action to submit any outstanding monthly ERF's and can continue to access support under the scheme.
As of close of business yesterday almost 85% of businesses currently claiming EWSS have completed their ERF for June. Additionally, almost 70% of businesses currently claiming EWSS in respect of almost 350,000 employees have completed their ERF for both June and July.
From the outset, Revenue advised that timely submission of the EWSS ERF is required to ensure continued access to the scheme. It also provides assurance to both employers and Revenue that EWSS claims are appropriate and in line with the terms of the scheme. Revenue advised businesses that have yet to complete and submit their EWSS ERF for June and/or July that access to support payments under the scheme will be paused from tomorrow, 1 September 2021. Where such businesses subsequently complete and submit the outstanding EWSS ERF’s, and thereby confirm they continue to meet the eligibly criteria of the scheme, they can resume claiming EWSS support. Any subsidies claimed but not paid while EWSS ERF’s were outstanding will then also be processed for payment.
Further information on the operation of EWSS from 1 July 2021 can be found here.
[Ends 31/08/2021]