COVID 19- How to claim Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant

Highlights:

  • For self-employed or a member of a partnership affected by COVID-19
  • Claim a taxable grant of 80% of your average monthly trading profits
  • Paid out in a single instalment covering 3 months, capped at £7,500 altogether
  • Grants under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme are not counted as ‘access to public funds’, and you can claim the grant on all categories of work visa.
  • Certain circumstance like late filing, pending HMRC enquiries etc to affect your eligibility
  • Agent cannot claim on your behalf

If you’re self-employed or a member of a partnership and have been adversely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) this blog will help you in finding out if you can use SEISS grant scheme.

Your business could be adversely affected by coronavirus if, for example:

  • you’re unable to work because you:
    • are shielding
    • are self-isolating
    • are on sick leave because of coronavirus
    • have caring responsibilities because of coronavirus
  • you’ve had to scale down or temporarily stop trading because:
    • your supply chain has been interrupted
    • you have fewer or no customers or clients
    • your staff are unable to come in to work

If you receive the grant you can continue to work, start a new trade or take on other employment including voluntary work, or duties as an armed forces reservist. The grant does not need to be repaid but will be subject to Income Tax and self-employed National Insurance.

How much I will get?

You’ll get a taxable grant based on your average trading profit over the 3 tax years:

  • 2016 to 2017
  • 2017 to 2018
  • 2018 to 2019

The grant will be 80% of your average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering 3 months, and capped at £7,500 altogether. The grant amount for you will be paid directly into your bank account.

 Click here for the online service that will tell you how HMRC have worked your grant out if you have not traded for all 3 years.

Can I claim?

You will need your UTR and National insurance number to check your eligibility. Check now

You can claim if you’re a self-employed individual or a member of a partnership and all of the following apply:

  • you traded in the tax year 2018 to 2019 and submitted your Self Assessment tax return on or before 23 April 2020 for that year
  • you traded in the tax year 2019 to 2020
  • you intend to continue to trade in the tax year 2020 to 2021
  • your trading profits are less than £50,000 and at least equal to your non-trading income
  • you carry on a trade which has been adversely affected by coronavirus

Note: You should not claim the grant if you’re a limited company or operating a trade through a trust.

To work out your eligibility HMRC will first look at your 2018 to 2019 Self-Assessment tax return. If you’re not eligible based on the 2018-19 Self-Assessment tax return, HMRC will then look at the tax years 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19.

Find out how HMRC will work out your eligibility including if they have to use other years.

Grants under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme are not counted as ‘access to public funds’, and you can claim the grant on all categories of work visa.

What I need to check my eligibility?

HMRC setup an online facility where anyone can check their eligibility. All you need is your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) and National Insurance contribution (NIC) number. Click here to check your eligibility or contact us for further guidance.

Different circumstances affect your eligibility for SEISS

The following circumstances may affect your eligibility:

  • if your return is late, amended or under enquiry
  • if you’re a member of a partnership
  • if you’re on or took parental leave
  • if you have loans covered by the loan charge
  • if you claim averaging relief
  • if you’re non-resident or chose the remittance basis
  • state aid

I am eligible for SEISS grant, what now?

If you are eligible, you can claim straightaway, you’ll also need your:

  • Government Gateway user ID and password – if you do not have a user ID, you can create one when you check your eligibility or make your claim
  • UK bank details (only provide bank account details where a Bacs payment can be accepted) including:
    • bank account number
    • sort code
    • name on the account
    • your address linked to your bank account

You’ll have to confirm to HMRC that your business has been adversely affected by coronavirus.

If you submitted your returns between 26 March 2020 and 23 April 2020 check your eligibility again as the online service has been updated.

If you think you are eligible, you should first check who can claim or contact us.

How to claim

Click here to make your claim if you have enough time. Otherwise, contact us to handle your task and increase your chances of attaining the claim.