self-employed: "average trading profits"

[thereisfreedomwithin]

Hi, I've been looking here:
www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

From what I can figure out, I will qualify but only if "trading profits" are assessed after the making of contributions to my private pension fund.

i.e. I had earned more than 50k on average after expenses but before pension contributions. Less than £50k on average after expenses and after pension contributions.

Any advice gratefully received.

Do you declare your pension contribution on your tax return or does your pension provider claim the tax on your behalf?

I declared it on my tax return. So it is excluded from "taxable income"

It says trading profits less than £50k not taxable income. Your pension contributions don't reduce your trading profits, they reduce your taxable income.

Ignoring pension, if your trade profits for 18/19 were more than £50k and your average for the three years to 18/19 was also more than £50k you don't qualify.

Ah, so sounds like I don't qualify? so be it.

In that case I would guess you do qualify, but it's a guess. I would plan to not qualify, and if you do it will be a nice surprise.

Hmm so 50/50!