HMRC invites self-employed to get ready to make their claims

The SEISS claims service opens on Wednesday 13 May

Around three and a half million people who may be eligible for the government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will be contacted this week by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The claims service opens on Wednesday 13 May (ahead of schedule), with payments expected to clear in people's bank accounts six 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 people have provided in previous tax returns to determine their eligibility and is contacting people who may be eligible via email, SMS or letter.

An online checker has now opened, where people can check their eligibility for themselves, as well as giving them a date on which they can apply.

You are eligible if your business has been adversely affected by coronavirus, you traded in 2019-20, intend to continue trading and:

• Earn at least half of your 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 a Self Assessmenttax return on or before 23 April 2020 for 2018/19​

HMRC expect phone lines to be very busy over the next few weeks as people enter this new scheme, and are encouraging people to 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 lines open for those who need help most.

• www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme#eligible