Revenue confirms eligible businesses can now register and make a claim for the Business Resumption Support Scheme

On 1 June 2021, Minister Donohoe announced that a new additional support for businesses impacted by Covid-19 would become available in September 2021.

The terms of the Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS) are set out in the Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021. 

Today (06/09/2021) Revenue confirmed that eligible businesses can now register for BRSS via the e-Registration facility in ROS. Registration is a necessary first step for businesses to access the scheme. Once registered, eligible businesses can make a claim at any time up to 30 November 2021 for the single payment support via the eRepayments facility in ROS.

The BRSS is a targeted support for companies, self-employed individuals, partnerships as well as certain charities and sporting bodies that carry on a trade that was significantly impacted by Covid-19 public health restrictions, including where the impact has continued after the easing of the restrictions. The scheme is available to businesses that were actively trading on 1 September 2021 and intend to continue doing so. Businesses are also required to fully meet the qualifying conditions of the scheme, as set down in the legislation. Eligible businesses may make a claim for support under BRSS irrespective of whether they have previously qualified for other Covid-19 related Government schemes.

To qualify under the scheme, a business must be able to demonstrate that the turnover from its trade in the period from 1 September 2020 to 31 August 2021 is no more than 25% of a ‘reference turnover amount’. For most businesses the ‘reference turnover amount’ will, in effect, be the turnover of its trade in the period 1 January to 31 December 2019. For more recently established businesses the ‘reference turnover amount’ will be determined on a pro-rata basis having regard to the date of commencement.

A qualifying person may make a claim under BRSS for a single payment which will be equal to three times the average weekly turnover of the relevant business activity for the applicable reference period as follows:  

• 10% of average weekly turnover up to €20,000
• 5% of average weekly turnover above €20,000
• and
• subject to a maximum payment of €15,000.

Where a qualifying person carries on more than one trade, a claim in respect of each trade can be made, subject to each one meeting the conditions of the scheme.

To register for BRSS, an eligible business is required to:

• make a declaration that it fully meets the eligibility criteria for the scheme
• have  tax clearance
• and
• provide or verify certain information in relation to the business trading activity and its turnover. 

Detailed guidance on BRSS, including how to register for and make a claim under the scheme can be found here.

[Ends 06/9/2021]