Convergence Management Consultants Ltd v Revenue and Customs (INCOME TAX - CJRS - whether recoverable by HMRC - whether claim could be based on earnings "reasonably expected" to be paid - whether individual was a fixed rate employee - whether Fifth Direction changed the position - Six and Seventh Directions also considered) [2025] UKFTT 22 (TC) (09 January 2025)

Convergence Management Consultants Ltd v Revenue and Customs (INCOME TAX - CJRS - whether recoverable by HMRC - whether claim could be based on earnings "reasonably expected" to be paid - whether individual was a fixed rate employee - whether Fifth Direction changed the position - Six and Seventh Directions also considered) [2025] UKFTT 22 (TC) (09 January 2025)

CMC was not entitled to claim CJRS for Mr Mahmood because no payment of earnings was made to him in 2019-20 and no RTI return was submitted for that period; the relevant Treasury Directions did not permit claims based on 'reasonably expected' earnings, and Mr Mahmood's reference salary for CJRS purposes was nil.

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2025] UKFTT 22
Parties
Appellant: Convergence Management Consultants Ltd; Respondents: The Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Judgment Date
09 January 2025
Procedural Posture
Tax Appeal / First Tier Tribunal Judgment
Outcome
Appeal refused
Legal Topics
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (cjrs), Income Tax, Statutory Interpretation, HMRC Assessments, Employment Law
Tax Law Public Law Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (cjrs) Income Tax Statutory Interpretation HMRC Assessments Employment Law

Source-derived case record

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Parties

Convergence Management Consultants Ltd

Appellant

The Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs

Respondents

Procedural Posture

Tax Appeal / First Tier Tribunal Judgment

  1. 1 Whether CMC was entitled to claim CJRS for Mr Mahmood under the relevant Treasury Directions
  2. 2 Whether Mr Mahmood was a fixed rate employee under the CJRS Directions
  3. 3 Whether the Fifth, Sixth, or Seventh Treasury Directions altered CMC's entitlement

Ratio Decidendi

CMC was not entitled to claim CJRS for Mr Mahmood because no payment of earnings was made to him in 2019-20 and no RTI return was submitted for that period; the relevant Treasury Directions did not permit claims based on 'reasonably expected' earnings, and Mr Mahmood's reference salary for CJRS purposes was nil.

Court Disposition

Appeal refused

Orders

  • HMRC's assessments totalling £46,619.48 are upheld
  • CMC is liable to repay the full amount of CJRS claimed