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HMRC to contact self employed claimants for grant four SEISS applications

The fourth Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is shortly due to open for claim. HMRC has confirmed that it will be contacting eligible self-employed individuals based on their tax returns in mid-April to give them a date for making applications.

Communications will be sent either by email, letter or within the online service. The online service to claim the fourth grant will be available from late April 2021 and all claims must be made on or before 1 June 2021.

Claims must be made by the individual and cannot be processed by a tax agent or adviser to claim on your behalf as this will trigger a fraud alert, which will delay payment.

To be eligible for the fourth grant you must be a self-employed individual or a member of a partnership. Grants are not available if you trade through a limited company or a trust. Trading profits must be no more than £50,000 and at least equal to or more than your non-trading income.

The fourth grant will be set at 80% of three months’ average trading profits subject to a cap at £7,500. There will also be a fifth grant covering May to September 2021 and will take the individual’s trading position for 2020/2021.

The fifth grant will also be worth 80% of three months’ average trading profits, capped at £7,500, for those with a turnover reduction of 30% or more; or 30% of three months’ average trading profits, capped at £2,850, for those with a turnover reduction of less than 30%.

Please note that there is no requirement that an earlier SEISS grant has been claimed in order to be able to claim the upcoming fourth grant.

To make a claim, you will need the following:

  • Self Assessment Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR);
  • National Insurance number;
  • Government Gateway user ID and password; and
  • UK bank details including account number, sort code, name on the account and address linked to the account.

HMRC will check claims and take appropriate action to withhold or recover payments found to be dishonest or inaccurate with a penalty system in place.

If an amendment to a tax return on or after the 3 March 2021 lowers the amount you are eligible for, HMRC must be informed within 90 days.

If you are self-employed, currently trading but have reduced demand, keep any evidence that your business has had reduced activity, capacity or demand due to coronavirus at the time you made your claim, such as business accounts showing reduction in activity compared to previous years, records of reduced or cancelled contracts or appointments, and a record of dates where you had reduced demand or capacity due to government restrictions.

Please get in touch with a member of the at CB reid if you need any assistance in this area.