This week, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will start contacting around 3.5million customers who may be eligible for the government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) to explain the application process and help them get ready to make a claim.
The claims service opens on Wednesday 13th May and is being delivered ahead of schedule, with payments reaching bank accounts by 25th May, or 6 working days after the claim is made.
The scheme will benefit self-employed individuals or those in a partnership whose business has been adversely affected by coronavirus, covering most people who get at least half of their income from self-employment. SEISS is a temporary scheme that will enable those eligible to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their average trading profits up to a maximum of £7,500 (equivalent to three months’ profits) in a single instalment.
HMRC is using information that customers have provided in their 2018-19 tax return – and returns for 2016-17 and 2017-18 where needed – to determine their eligibility and is contacting customers who may be eligible via email, SMS or letter. An online checker is now available to let customers check their eligibility for themselves, as well as giving them a date on which they can apply.
Customers are eligible if their business has been adversely affected by coronavirus, they traded in 2019-20, intend to continue trading and they:
- Earn at least half of their income through self-employment;
- Have trading profits of no more than £50,000 per year; and
- Traded in the tax year 2018 to 2019 and submitted their Self Assessment tax return on or before 23 April 2020 for that year.
Where individuals are ineligible for the scheme, HMRC will direct them to guidance setting out the conditions to help them understand why they are ineligible, and advice about other support that might be available to them such as: income tax deferrals, rental support, Universal Credit, access to mortgage holidays and the various business support schemes the government has introduced to protect businesses during this time.
Phone lines are expected to be very busy over the next few weeks as people enter this new scheme, so customers should only call if they can’t find what they need on GOV.UK, from their tax agent or via the webchat service – this will leave the lines open for those who need the help the most.
Think you have an issue with your space bar.
Im a self employed builder whose sites gave been shut down ..have rent water gas etc that needs paying and cant work I have declared all my income for 10 yrs so wind ure neck in frank and keep ure stupid comments to yourself..glad after all the tax I do pay I can get something back..wgat an idiot…oh and by the way my mum works on the front line in st marys so hope you dont get ill soon!!!!!
Bill. Of course there are exceptions, and many self employed will be honest, but many aren’t.
Not just saying that because your mum won’t warm my bed pan either!
Bill…. Frank is right. No doubt there are many many ‘honest Johns’ on this island, including you. Sadly, there will be a few that will see this as an opportunity to get a double pay packet.
I don’t get the negatives here…It’s a fact of life that cash = discount which many of us take advantage of, either as a giver or receiver. Yes, cash = drugs, but not for the hard working self employed.Agree about fraud but right now, HMRC have their hands full but in the fullness of time and a few tip offs here and there, the fraudsters will be bought to task.
Its a shame the newly self employed have been kicked on the rubbish heap
So true my daughter worked in same salon 12 years,self employed same salon October 2019 so nothing it’s just not on ,you get more from the government not working.
I don’t know about hair salon but in the building industry if you work for someone for more then 3 months consecutive your not classed as self-employed and should be on paye.
Planet are you on?
I have only bein self employed for a year .
Will I get anything?
Nope same as me unless you go for universel credit at £96 a week ish
You would prolly get more on the dole
No not on present ruling
Yes you do
Yes providing you have submitted a recent self assessment tax return they can work it out on that but you have to call them and say this is your situation not rely on them contacting you.
You have to have submitted a tax return for the full year of 2018-2019 at the absolute minimum to get it so unless you have this you wont get it
If you have been self employed for 1 whole year and have submitted a tax return then you would be eligible for help. That is my understanding. You would then receive 80% of that years trading profit. Hope that helps
Hi I have been work as a self employed since 2017 and also paying tax but I’m not eligible for policy fund, will I get the help from this scheme or not?
Thank you
Namita
Was told by government to apply for UC ,
Now can’t apply for SEISS ? Con !!!
I received text msg from HMRC.i m eligible.where can I apply for this scheme.