Irish Government publishes additional CRSS guidelines

The Irish Government has published a new document detailing some extra information about the new Covid Restrictions Subsidy Scheme (CRSS).

Eligible businesses can now register for the Covid scheme, which was announced in the Budget. Registration for CRSS is a necessary first step for businesses to access the scheme.

Under the CRSS, a business that is impacted by Covid-19 related restrictions – including closure – can make a claim to Revenue for a payment for each week that it is affected by the restrictions. The payment is subject to a maximum of €5,000.

Additions and clarifications have been made to CRSS since the last guidelines were issued on 27 October, and the document is available on Revenue.ie.

Significant additions include amendments to how a claim is made for CRSS, in the case of a partnership, and amendments to sections dealing with ‘What is a business premises?’, ‘Business exempt from the charge to tax’, ‘Turnover of a relevant business activity’, ‘Relevant turnover amount’ and ‘eRegistration Screens’.

The CRSS will operate on a self-assessment basis, and a person registering their details and the details of their business activity, for the purposes of a making a claim, should retain evidence, which may be requested by Revenue under future eligibility checks.

The scheme will operate from 13 October 2020 to 31 March 2021, and there is provision for the Minister for Finance to vary aspects of it. The scheme only applies when Level 3 restrictions or higher are in place, and it can be operated alongside other State supports, such as the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme.

The Department of Finance has estimated that it will cost the Exchequer €80m a week during the Level 5 restrictions.