The Help To Grow:Digital scheme launched nationwide last week.

From CRM, Accounting, E-commerce or all of the mentioned eligible businesses are now able to apply to receive one financial discount towards the purchase of one approved software product up to a maximum of £5,000 (not including VAT).

This financial discount covers 12 monthsʼ worth of approved software product core costs, exclusive of VAT.

Am I Eligible?

This financial discount is available to UK businesses that meet all four eligibility criteria below:

• Your business must have a registered office in the UK and be registered at the relevant Companies House or be a registered society listed on the Financial Conduct Authority’s Mutuals Register.
• Your business must have been actively trading for over 12 months prior to the date of application and have an incorporation date of, at minimum, 365 days prior to the date of application.
• Your business must have a total of between 5 and 249 employees.
• Your business must be purchasing the approved software for the first time.

The person applying for the discount must be:

• aged 18 or over.
• an employee of the business.
• authorised to agree to the terms and conditions on behalf of the business.
• able to confirm receipt of the financial discount will not cause the business to exceed the total threshold for Small Amounts of Financial Assistance or De Minimis. For full subsidy control details, please visit: subsidy control.

The financial discount cannot be used towards VAT. VAT will be added to the total cost of the software before the voucher discount and will be due at point of purchase.

For the full eligibility criteria, please visit: general guidance. For full terms and conditions, please visit: terms and conditions.

What you’ll need to tell HMRC:

The application will take you through four sections:

• about your chosen software
• about your business
• about the applicant
• email verification

What they'll ask for:

• The Companies House or FCA Mutuals Public Register number of your business.
• Your name, position in the company and work email address.
• The number of employees within your business.

QuickBooks and Sage accounting software have now been revealed as partners in the scheme, so this means if you are a new user you could be eligible to have your accounting software paid for under the grant.

Accounting software is an integral part of any business, it not only contributes to knowledge for business growth and cash flow but it keeps you on top of your figures and highlights where money could potentially be leaking out of your business.

For more information on the scheme and to apply click here