Self-Employed HMRC update

[Snorkelface]

HMRC has added a few updates for the self employed grant scheme.

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

While HMRC will be contacting eligible claimants directly over the next couple of weeks with more specific details you can now see if you're eligible to claim and what date you'll be able to lodge your claim by using their on-line tool (about half way down their web page).

You'll need your UTR and NI number to do this and it will also give you the opportunity to set up your Gateway account if you don't already have one and to update your contact details. It's a good idea to set this up now as the website is likely to get very busy when it goes live on 13th May.

You can find both your UTR and NI number on your tax return. If you're setting up your Gateway at the same time you'll need to provide email/mobile details and you'll need to set up additional security measures to identify you using either security questions or drivers license details or your passport. The system can time out so it's a good idea to have all the details to hand.

Ah yes I'd be wanting answers from the accountant
for sure as it sounds like something has been cocked up somewhere along the line

Furloughed employees aren't expected to just "suck it up" though. Theirs is based on 80% of current wage.

So do @Auntlouisa that is the same as DP his first year is 0 because he wasn't SE his second year he was SE for one month and had a loss of 10k for kit so his figure is £900 per month. He is appealing but we don't hold out much hope.

Martin Lewis just posted this update. Not great news!

Scarf, I can't see the update you refer to.

Sorry, it was an attached image.

Basically says that while further support is being considered, no decision has been made on whether they will extend the grant scheme.

OK, thanks.
Here's hoping they do extend it! They saw sense the first time, after they tried suggesting we claim UC (admittedly only after fury and petitions etc).

Has anyone had this error message

Jollybob89 - it was putting up that message last week when checking eligibility - try again in a bit.

@PonderLand £900 per month or in total?

@ChrissieKeller61 that's per month

Because it's only taken in my first and second year of trading I'm only eligible to receive £900 and something. If it took into account 2019-2020 it would be higher as my business has grown. Still, better than nothing.

One of my clients cannot claim because he has a non photo driving licence and no passport
but he's paid tax for 30 years

I asked for a review and had an answer phone message today from HMRC.

@ListeningQuietly

If your client is unable to verify for a government gateway account to make the claim he/she can call the helpline and an adviser will do a manual claim.

Userxx I had the same problem getting my identity verified using the credit agency / multiple choice. I know my answers were correct, and can prove so, but kept getting a message saying my answers didn't match there records.

I emailed HMRC and got a reply within 24 hours, practically saying the agency (TransUnion) must have the wrong info on their records!!

Luckily i've found my driving licence for verification now, but they did say the claim could be done over the phone if i have problems claiming tomorrow. So maybe worth emailing them..

Listening See my post above.. seems the agency they're using is crap!!

Same problem with the multiple choice questions, wouldn't accept my answers even though they were correct. Passport details accepted immediately.

Wow OP, seems the credit agency they're using is beyond crap!
It may be helpful to email HMRC and let them know the agency they're using is unfit for purpose, if you can be bothered..
Maybe i'll get in touch with that guy from moneysavingexpert or something.

@jellycat

I think there is an issue at the moment with the Verify that is stopping people being able to set up the gov gateway when trying to claim the grant. I don't think it is normal occurrence, just for the grant claims. That's why HMRC are taking manual claims over the phone when people are running into problems with the Verify.

@Jellykat 👍. Thanks for that. Which department did you email? He's due to claim on Friday, so maybe he can do it over the telephone. He's not happy at all and I was in the firing line 🙄.

alexdrake
My client, on the phone to an HMRC staffer was able to agree
that I was his agent
that he'd filed returns for decades
BUT
because his ID dates back decades, computer says no
and there is NO WAY round it at the moment

jollybobs89 I was getting nothing but problems on my mobile, switched to desktop and got on 1st time.

That's not right listeningQuietly - if the only reason they can't claim is that they are unable to set up their own personal tax account (rather than through their agents account) then they will be able to make a manual claim on the phone. I would ask your client to call the scheme helpline again together and tell them he is digitally excluded and he will be transferred to an adviser that will make a manual claim.

MyNameIs I started trying to set up the account last week though, then was told to try again after 24 hours when my answers were 'wrong'. I've tried everyday since, to no avail up until today when i found my driving licence.
Wasn't there a bit of a hoo hah with people claiming UC for the first time recently, and the verification? bet it was the same agency.

Userxx I just double checked my email, it was HMRC online support, and is coming up as [email protected] think i initially found it in the contact/ help section, but may have gone around the houses a fair bit because i was really cross!