Self-employed Grant Scheme

[paulears]

Welll - I got the email today, double checked my eligibility and looks like I can click the button on the 14th. That's a weight off my mind that they know me, and my UTR and NI details seem to work.

 

[Sheppard Digital]

I've checked the HMRC website today, I'm self employed, profits below 50,000 per year and my 2018-2019 accounts were submitted towards the end of last year. However, apparently, I'm not eligible.

 

[paulears]

I've been self-employed since 2004, do you think it's just the lack of the three years? Difficult to know - I feel for you.

 

[Sheppard Digital]

I've been self employed since 2009, all accounts up to date. I've confirmed with my accountant who says I should be eligible.

I've raised it with HMRC via the website, so we'll see what their decision is.

 

[ville1401]

Thats funny, I checked and it said eligible to apply from the 16th Wonder if they are making sure applications don't crash the site.

 

[Hunnie]

We can apply from 13th May

 

[motpo]

It says i am eligible and can claim from the 15th of May - does eligible mean we will definitely receive some money?

 

[gpietersz]

The HMRC website says:

"Only make a claim if your business has been adversely affected by coronavirus."

So getting the email does not guarantee you can apply.

They do not define "adversely affected" though (the same is true for the bounce back loan scheme). How adversely affected? Lost 10% of your sales or 50%? What evidence might be required?

 

[Darren_Ssc]

They do not define "adversely affected though" (the same is true for the bounce back loan scheme). How adversely affected? Lost 10% of your sales or 50%? What evidence might be required?

I'm guessing not much other than some kind brief explanation and tick box?

 

[gpietersz]

A tick box and/or a brief explanation, but of what?

What need have happened that is being explained?

 

[Darren_Ssc]

A tick box and/or a brief explanation, but of what?

What need have happened that is being explained?

Since they stipulate you must have been adversely affected then it's safe to assume you will have to give some sort of explanation? Albeit, with a degree of artistic licence.

I can't imagine it being too onerous since you may not be able say with any degree of certainty where you'd be otherwise? Exceptions being a major client going bust or suchlike.

 

[gpietersz]

Since they stipulate you must have been adversely affected then it's safe to assume you will have to give some sort of explanation?

Agreed. They do also say you should keep records including evidence that you have been adversely affected.

I can't imagine it being too onerous since you may not be able say with any degree of certainty where you'd be otherwise?

True. So what evidence will they want?

 

[Darren_Ssc]

True. So what evidence will they want?

As an example, I have a client who took panic measures from day one. They emailed me to say they would not be paying for any more work for the foreseeable future. I can show how much this client has paid me over the past 5 years and how this future loss of business is an 'averse effect'.

In truth, I've done OK since other clients have done the opposite, spent more and reaped the benefits. But seeing as how money has been showered elsewhere I'm not going to be holding back.

I should add that one beneficiary of the shower of money thus far is the very same client who pulled the rug on me.

 

[Mister G]

I work in residential construction, a sub contractor i use has been advised by his accountant that he should put in a claim for the SEISS even though he has been working throughout the covid-19 epidemic, it doesnt seem right to me. but looking at it in a different way, there is nothing to say that we wont be effected in the future months to come. we predominantly work on residential extensions & renovations and although we are busy now I have lost 2 jobs, one for a pilot & one for a stockbroker. will i have work in September, oct, nov and if i dont will HMRC be still giving handouts if essentially covid-19 is over?? be very interested to get opinions on this

 

[Darren_Ssc]

... but looking at it in a different way, there is nothing to say that we wont be effected in the future months to come.

Exactly this. You also say you have already lost 2 jobs - what more reason do you need?

You will also have been affected due to social distancing, making you less productive and raising costs.

 

[Mister G]

Exactly this. You also say you have already lost 2 jobs - what more reason do you need?

You will also have been affected due to social distancing, making you less productive and raising costs.

We definitely haven't been at our most efficient, materials had to be purchased online & paid for upfront instead of from local builders merchants on account, non driving labourers had to either walk, cycle or bus to get to work which meant they were late, cost of ppe. i'm not complaining, i'm very grateful that i've been able to go to work. also its likely that taxes will go up to pay for all this, i've always said if you pay into the pot you can take out of it.

 

[In need of help]

Two members in family have been told they eligible to apply on same date but at different times, so must all be getting staggered.

one unsure whether to apply , as still been going to work, but haven’t been paid yet as they get paid 40days on account do groundcare to the commercial sector.

another relative who fits criteria has 2 yrs of accounts told not eligible

can imagine site crashing from 13may

 

[Sheppard Digital]

I've read that some people were being told that they were not eligible, but the next day when they checked, it showed they were eligible.

I've checked almost daily, and I get the same response each time, not eligible despite having profits of less than 50k per year, having no other income other than my self employed income and up to date accounts going back to 2009.

My wife is self employed too, she isn't eligible because more than 50% of her income was from employment during 2018/2019.

 

[larn]

i've been self employed since 2015 and submitted my taxes on time, less than 50k and no other work, but it says not eligible, i do get some working tax credits, so maybe they are calculating that as other income?

 

[Sheppard Digital]

Not sure to be honest. We've never been in a position to claim tax credits, or if we have the amount has been so low that we've not bothered, so I know that's not being taken into consideration for me.

 

[Mister G]

Two members in family have been told they eligible to apply on same date but at different times, so must all be getting staggered.

one unsure whether to apply , as still been going to work, but haven’t been paid yet as they get paid 40days on account do groundcare to the commercial sector.

another relative who fits criteria has 2 yrs of accounts told not eligible

can imagine site crashing from 13may

I feel that every self employed person should claim now if they meet the criteria, irregardless of wether they have been working a bit or a lot during lockdown. There are no guarantees that in 2-3 months that any of us will have any work as we start to notice the knock on effect, As ive said before i've already lost 2 jobs and i'm currently receiving about 80% less enquiries. I wont be at all surprised if in 2 months time i have no work at all and no one can guarantee me that in 2 months time i'll be able to get any financial help. I've paid tax & Ni every year since 1996 and this will be my first hand out.

 

[rizbit]

has anyone been paid the grant yet?

Also when it says
"The grant does not need to be repaid, but it is subject to Income Tax and self-employed National Insurance contributions. You will need to report the grant on your Self Assessment tax return"
Does that mean you add it to your turnover value for the year? or is there a seperate section to declare business grants on the Self assessment form?

 

[2020Lawyer2020]

Nothing for me - I just checked (over £50k before tax..... so much for being honest - no free money for some of us who are honest compared with many who are not)

 

[Sheppard Digital]

I still hadn't heard from HMRC about their checker saying that I was ineligible so I've rang them this morning. They confirmed that they're investigating because although their system shows that my 2018/19 tax return has been received (an on-time), their system is showing it as not processed. I just have to wait for them to investigate as I'm assuming this means there has been a problem their end. My accountant has provided me with a copy of the tax return and the submission receipt to confirm they definitely did it.

 

[paulears]

Nothing for me - I just checked (over £50k before tax..... so much for being honest - no free money for some of us who are honest compared with many who are not)

There are very few people who make trading PROFITS of more than 50 grand because their accountants would have suggested alternative Status that's more tax efficient. If you made fifty grand profit you probably don't need the support. I'm fairly comfy but my profits are much, much lower - which is what I pay the account for, so I got my grant, but of course it was 80% of not an awful lot - which is, I think, fair. My turnover means I'm VAT registered, but my turnover isn't my income (unless you are BECTU the union, who base their fees on that stupid belief)