News item | 21-12-2021 | 10:15
Due to the uncertainty about the new virus variant, the cabinet announced a lockdown last Saturday. This lockdown went into effect on Sunday 19 December 2021. Due to the short time between the announcement and the introduction of the lockdown, entrepreneurs had little chance to adjust their business operations in time. That is why the government is expanding the economic support package for the fourth quarter of this year to offer workers and entrepreneurs extra support and security.
For example, the maximum loss of turnover for which wage support (NOW) is given goes from 80% to 90%. In the fourth quarter, entrepreneurs are also eligible for the Fixed Expense Allowance if they lose 20% in turnover instead of 30%. The government is allocating an extra EUR 590 million for the expansion of the support package.
Emergency Measure Bridging Employment (NOW)
The maximum loss of turnover for which employers can receive an allowance for wage costs through the NOW will increase to 90%. This means that when calculating the amount of the subsidy for the fourth quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, a percentage of a maximum of 90% loss of turnover (at the moment this is still 80%) is calculated. Because the subsidy applications for the current quarter are already underway, the payment of the advances is still based on a maximum loss of turnover of 80%. The final determination is based on 90%.
Fixed Expenses Allowance (TVL)
The government will lower the TVL’s turnover loss threshold in the fourth quarter of 2021 from 30% to 20%. With this, the cabinet also meets companies that are affected by this acute lockdown in the last weeks of the quarter.
The cabinet will not introduce a stock allowance for the catering and retail trade. Such a scheme is difficult to implement and does not make it possible to provide aid in a timely manner.
Entrepreneurs with a loss of turnover between 20% and 30% in the current fourth quarter can immediately apply for TVL. RVO will hold on to the applications until the European Commission has approved this new amendment to the TVL. The application period runs until January 28, 2022.
Repayment of Tozo loans
The Temporary bridging scheme for independent entrepreneurs (Tozo) states that independent entrepreneurs must start repaying the loan for working capital Tozo from 1 January 2022. Due to the stricter measures, this is difficult for many independent entrepreneurs. The start of the mandatory repayment therefore starts six months later, i.e. on 1 July 2022. This postponement applies to all Tozo loans, regardless of the time of issue. In addition, the term for all Tozo loans will be extended by one year from 5 years to 6 years. That is the period from the moment of issue to the moment when it must be repaid. No interest has to be paid for the months January 2022 up to and including June 2022.
Extension of after-school care (BSO) closure
Until 9 January, the after-school care is only open for emergency care for children of at least one parent/guardian with a crucial profession and children in a vulnerable position. The daycare for children aged 0-4 and the childminder care for children will remain open. The cabinet calls on all parents who normally use out-of-school care to continue to pay the entire invoice for childcare, even if they are not currently able to use childcare. The government is aiming for a comparable compensation as during previous closure periods. So parents will receive an allowance that is approximately equivalent to the personal contribution from December 21 until January 9, 2022. This also applies to parents in crucial professions who are forced to make use of emergency care.
Culture
Due to the announced measures, the last part of the cultural sector has also been closed. The museums and open monuments are closed and matinees can no longer take place. In addition to the previous support package for culture, the cabinet is making 5.6 million euros available for the period of the mandatory closure to support museums via the Mondriaan Fund.
Zoos
The cabinet reserves 10 million euros to guarantee animal welfare and the social value of zoos for the mandatory closure until January 14, 2022.
Long-term view on support
The support package preserves businesses and jobs. At the same time, the corona support is disruptive to the economy and tax money does not always end up in the right places. For example, more and more regular turnover fluctuations are being compensated for with the broader support package, while this is not the intention. The support measures also place a heavy burden on public finances. Now that the corona pandemic is lasting longer, the cabinet is therefore working on a new balance between business risk and government support. The cabinet wants to have a long-term vision on the design of the support package ready before the end of the first quarter of 2022.
Where can entrepreneurs and workers go?
For questions about the corona support and recovery package, companies and workers can look at government.nl/steunpakket. For more questions, entrepreneurs can also visit the website of the Chamber of Commerce: kvk.nl/corona. Is the answer to your question not listed? Then call the advice team on 0800 – 2117. Workers and job seekers can also visit hoewerktnederland.nl.