It’s been a busy year of legal developments for businesses, not least because of changes to the law as a result of COVID-19, but also due to the impending Brexit deadline. Whilst it remains to be seen how both the pandemic and Brexit will play out next year, to help your business get as organised as possible, we’ve pulled together some key dates for your 2021 business diary.
1 January 2021: Brexit
The current transition period will come to an end at 11pm on 31 December 2020. At the time of writing, the UK and the EU are yet to agree the terms of their future relationship. Find out what steps your business can take to prepare by referring to our Brexit preparedness checklist.
31 December 2020 – 4 January 2021: Planned disruption to UK IPO digital services
Services that will be unavailable between these dates can be found here.
31 January 2021: Deadline for filing and paying self-assessment tax returns
31 January 2021: Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan and Bounce Back Loan schemes due to end
(At the time of writing)
1 February 2021: Review of the current level of furlough grant
The Government has indicated that it will review the level of grant available under the furlough scheme from 1 February 2021. Read more about the furlough scheme extension in our Q&A.
1 February 2021: HMRC will publish details about employers who have claimed under the furlough scheme
The Government has confirmed that from February 2021, HMRC will publish the names, company numbers (if applicable) of employers who have claimed under the scheme on or after 1 December 2020, and an indication of the value of their claims. Find out more in our Q&A.
23 March 2021: End of temporary change of use for businesses switching to food and/or drink take away model due to COVID-19
See our Q&A on changing use classes for more information.
25 March 2021: Quarter day
Usually means rent/other quarterly bills are due.
31 March 2021: End of some COVID support
At the time of writing, the furlough scheme is due to come to an end, as is the waiver of some IP fees by the UKIPO.
April 2021: Increases to National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW)
The NLW will also apply to 23 and 24 year olds for the first time.
5 April 2021: End of the 2020-21 tax year
6 April 2021: Start of the 2021-22 tax year and introduction of the IR35 tax changes
Read more about the changes to the IR35 tax rules here.
30 April 2021: Expiry of the current suspension of the ‘wrongful trading’ provisions for directors of companies in financial difficulties
24 June 2021: Quarter day
Usually means rent/other quarterly bills are due
30 June 2021: EU Settlement Scheme deadline
If you employ any EEA and Swiss nationals who were living in the UK before the end of the transition period, this is their deadline for applying to the EU Settlement Scheme for settled or pre-settled status.
31 July 2021: End of the transitional period for a number of changes to planning use classes for business premises
See our guidance on Use classes of business premises for more information.
2 September 2021: Children’s Code is in full force
The ICO’s Age Appropriate Design Code came into force on 2 September 2020 but businesses had 12 months to comply. For more information, read our Q&A on Privacy and children.
29 September 2021: Quarter day
Usually means rent/other quarterly bills are due.
1 October 2021: New food labelling requirements for food packed for direct sale
25 December 2021: Quarter day
Usually means rent/other quarterly bills are due.
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