In this post, we have listed a few brief Q and A’s for the support that is provided in the following countries: France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, China, Taiwan and the USA. We will be issuing another Q and A for other countries around the world next week. If you have any questions or would like to understand the support provided in more detail, please get in touch.
France
Q: Are your local government currently taking extra measures to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Yes
Q: If yes, please summarise what measures are currently in place (for example: employee furlough schemes, business grants, loosened submission deadlines, and so on)
A:
- Payment deadlines for social and/or tax payments
- Direct tax rebate
- Deferral of payment of invoices
- Obtain the help of 1500 € (solidarity fund)
- Government guaranteed cash loan
- Rescheduling of bank loans
- Partial unemployment
- Support plan for French exporting companies
Q: When is each measure due to end (if your government has advised)?
A: No information yet
Germany
Q: Are your local government currently taking extra measures to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Yes
Q: If yes, please summarise what measures are currently in place (for example: employee furlough schemes, business grants, loosened submission deadlines, and so on)
A:
- The current employee furlough scheme has now been extended for a further year until 31.12.21
- The inland revenue has extended the deadlines for VAT monthly returns and offers possibilities of deferring payment on trade tax, corporation tax, and VAT
- Business grants for small to mid-size companies are still available
Please note, these schemes may vary from state to state and are only available for companies who have a registered company in Germany.
Q: When is each measure due to end (if your government has advised)?
A: Currently most of the measures are set to end in 12/21.
Luxembourg
Q: Are your local government currently taking extra measures to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Yes
Q: If yes, please summarise what measures are currently in place (for example: employee furlough schemes, business grants, loosened submission deadlines, and so on)
A:
- Financial aid
- Partial unemployment or short-time work
- Measures at the level of social security contributions
- Cross-border commuting to work
- Home-Based Working
- Extraordinary leave for family reasons
Q: When is each measure due to end (if your government has advised)?
A: 31/12/2020
Netherlands
Q: Are your local government currently taking extra measures to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Yes
Q: If yes, please summarise what measures are currently in place (for example: employee furlough schemes, business grants, loosened submission deadlines, and so on)
A:
- Work schemes to prevent presence from too many employees at one office/location
- Financial measures for employers to compensate loss off turnover
- Extended tax payments for employers/business
- Quick responsive COVID-19 tests
Q: When is each measure due to end (if your government has advised)
A: No current end date
Spain
Q: Are your local government currently taking extra measures to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Yes
Q: If yes, please summarise what measures are currently in place (for example: employee furlough schemes, business grants, loosened submission deadlines, and so on)
A: Spain, at national level:
- ERTE (temporary lay off) based on force majeure extended till September 30
- Help for “autonomos” (independent workers)
- Other subventions may be granted to companies depending on the autonomous community where they are based
- ICO Loans (Prestamos ICO) with low-interest rates: the company has to check what’s feasible with its bank
Q: When is each measure due to end (if your government has advised)?
A: ERTE by force majeure -> till September 30
China
Q: Are your local government currently taking extra measures to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Yes
Q: If yes, please summarise what measures are currently in place (for example: employee furlough schemes, business grants, loosened submission deadlines, and so on)
A: Some part of company social insurance will be will be exempted because of the COVID-19.
Q: When is each measure due to end (if your government has advised)?
A: Measure will end on December 2020
Taiwan
Q: Are your local government currently taking extra measures to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Yes
Q: If yes, please summarise what measures are currently in place (for example: employee furlough schemes, business grants, loosened submission deadlines, and so on)
A:
- To employees whose working hours or shift schedule decrease because of the unstable operating condition (being reported to governing authority) under the impact of COVID-19, and are attending training lessons: training allowance of NT$158 per training hour with maximum allowance-allowed hours of 120 hours per month (application available on March 16th through August 31st).
- To employees whose working days decrease more than 29 days, and are on the eligible-for-reimbursement list (working day decrease being reported to governing authority): 50% the difference between employees’ labor insured base and salary employees will receive during the decreased working-day-period; maximum reimbursement of NT$11,000 per month for up to six months (application available on March 27th; if training subsidy is applied, then this application will not be available.)
Q: When is each measure due to end (if your government has advised)?
A: No information yet
USA
Q: Are your local government currently taking extra measures to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Yes
Q: If yes, please summarise what measures are currently in place (for example: employee furlough schemes, business grants, loosened submission deadlines, and so on)
A:
- Increased unemployment benefits over what the employee is eligible for. Currently, if the state chooses the Federal government provides an increased $300 per week towards employee unemployment benefits.
- The government previously provided PPP loans to small businesses. The loans were to be used for payroll, taxes, or business utilities. If the loan was used according to the PPP guidelines it could be forgiven.
- Certain cities are also providing small business loans or grants to businesses.
- The senate and house of representatives are currently working on/debating an additional COVID package to assist individuals, hospitals, cities, and businesses. No final package has been approved as of yet.
Q: When is each measure due to end (if your government has advised)?
A: The most recent Federal PPP loan offering ended 8/31/2020 but I expect that it will be offered again before the end of the year. The additional $300 Federal unemployment benefit is proposed to end 12/31/2020.
