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The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) supports self-employed workers and individuals in partnerships whose business is suffering as a result of coronavirus.
Earlier schemes have been in place for much of the year, offering varying levels of support. The latest version, the SEISS Grant Extension, was first announced as part of the Chancellor’s Winter Economy Plan.
The level of support available has now been increased from the proposed 20%, to 80%, to support sole trader businesses during the second lockdown.
The extension covers a six-month period, divided into two taxable grants. Only the first part of the grant has been confirmed so far.
The second part of the grant will be announced nearer the time, giving the government chance to assess the situation.
The first part of the SEISS Grant Extension | The second part of the SEISS Grant Extension |
Paid in a single instalment. | Paid in a single instalment. |
It will cover November, December, and January. | It will cover February, March, and April. |
Eligible applicants to receive up to 80% of average monthly trading profits, for 3 months’ worth of profits. | The level of support has not yet been confirmed. |
It is capped at £7,500 in total. | The support cap has not yet been confirmed. |
The SEISS Grant Extension is to help self-employed workers experiencing less demand for work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The scheme allows self-employed workers, and individuals who are a partner in a partnership, to claim a taxable grant.
As with previous rounds of the scheme, HMRC are identifying eligible applicants and inviting them to submit a claim. But, if you think that you’re eligible and don’t hear from HMRC, check with them!
*click here for guidance on what counts as adversely affected
The key word here is average.
Your trading profits might be more than £50,000 in one tax year, and at a loss the next, resulting in an average profit which is lower than the £50,000 threshold, making you eligible to apply.
Eligibility for the SEISS Grant Extension also considers how you earn your money. This is because the scheme is designed to provide support to those who rely on their self-employed income.
You’ll also need to confirm that you have been adversely affected by coronavirus.
The grant is only available for those whose businesses are suffering as a result of coronavirus.
This largely refers to the way that COVID-19 is affecting your ability to work as you would normally expect to do so.
For instance, this might be because:
HMRC provide detailed guidance about what counts as being adversely affected by the outbreak in terms of applying for SEISS.
The dates that your business is affected by COVID-19 conditions is also important. This is called the ‘qualifying period’.
The qualifying period for the first part of the SEISS Grant Extension is between 1 November 2020 and the date that you make your claim.
Calculate the payments using your average monthly profits from over the last three financial years:
The profits (or losses) from each year will be added together, and then divided by the number of years to work out your average profit.
Where three years isn’t feasible, for instance if the business isn’t old enough, HMRC will instead average the period they do have up to three years.
Like the other payments, the SEISS grant extension is worked out using your average trading profits from the last three tax years.
HMRC have published a guide and examples which explain how your SEISS payment is worked out.
If your self-employed income comes from being in a partnership, you only need to use your share of the profits to calculate your SEISS claim.
Unfortunately, directors of limited companies are not eligible to apply for a grant under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).
A self-employed person or sole trader means someone who works for themselves in business. Directors are technically employees of their company which means they’re not able to claim SEISS. Find out what help is available for directors dealing with the impact of coronavirus.
HMRC are inviting applicants to make a claim based on information from their 2018/19 tax return. If you don’t think that you are eligible but have received an invitation, double-check with them!
HMRC also have an online SEISS eligibility checking tool.
No, if you are eligible and make a successful claim for SEISS, you will not have to repay the support that you get.
Yes, money paid to you as a SEISS grant will be subject to Income Tax and self-employed National Insurance.
Yes, because SEISS is subject to tax and NI, you’ll need to include the SEISS grant you receive on your Self Assessment tax return.
If you want to learn more about Self Assessment, download our introductory guide below, or find out how our online accountants can help you.
Unfortunately, HMRC say that applicants must make applications for SEISS themselves.
Your accountant or tax agent will be able to use the online eligibility checking tool on your behalf, but will not be able to submit a SEISS claim for you.
Because your accountant or tax adviser can’t make a SEISS claim for you, you’ll need to do it yourself.
As you’ll be making your own claim, you’ll need to set up a Government Gateway account if you don’t already have one. This only takes a few minutes to do online.
You should make sure that you have the Self Assessment service connected to that gateway account. If you don’t already have this bit set up, you’ll need to request an activation code from HMRC, which can take a few weeks.
You’ll need to know (or set up) your:
The scheme opens to online applications on 30th November 2020.
HMRC have said that applicants for the SEISS grant will find out if their claim is successful straight away.
Because you’ll need to include details of the grant on your next Self Assessment tax return, make sure you take a note of:
Successful grant applications are paid within 6 working days, as a single instalment into your chosen bank account.
Yes, you can continue working even whilst claiming the SEISS grant. You’re also able to start a new trade, volunteer, or start work for an employer.
You can submit a claim for the SEISS Extension even if you haven’t claimed before.
Find out more about business support for COVID-19 at our information hub, or find out how our online accounting services can help.
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