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.

@ScarfLadysBag thanks for that - I tried but it doesn't seem to recognise NI and UR number - really worried now.

@ScarfLadysBag gosh, well done Scotland! That's more than I'll get from my 7 year old SE business. Started a new aspect to business so made a loss 16/17, mat leave 17/18, small profit 18/19. Pretty much screwed.

Loads of self employed dont accurately disclose their actual profits so for some this is a big karma

Loads of self employed dont accurately disclose their actual profits so for some this is a big karma
That is as may be

its the fact that the SElf Employed are not allowed to use their paid advisers in the same way that PAYE employers were that gets my goat

I think the issue will be if you don't already have a government gateway account, yes you can register for it online but you will still need an activation code from HMRC which is sent out by snail mail to your home address and you have to allow 7/10 working days. Until you have this I don't think you can access the Government site. Unless of course that has changed in the last couple of weeks (or this part is going to be temporarily bypassed).

Listening the government page is going to be updated shortly with an alternative way to claim for clients that don't have internet access.

You can create a Gateway User ID and password when you check to see if you're eligible to claim. All codes needed are sent via email/mobile.

That’s changed very recently then Snorkel because for security reasons they have always been sent by post to your home address.

Are you sure that’s correct for first time applications Snorkel?. I know you get a code sent to your mobile once the account is up and running but first log in I’m not sure, I still think it’s paper activation code to your home address.

It probably changed yesterday when they added the 'see if you're eligible' tool! They've created this particular system from scratch in a matter of weeks, it has to be accessible or it doesn't work (touch wood).

I have to say credit where it's due to HMRC on pulling both these two systems together on very short notice. I was fearing the worst but the system didn't crash and all my clients that I did furlough applications for got their money in the 6 day timeframe promised. Hoping this one goes the same way.

Thanks, I have signed in and am eligible to make a claim

I was really surprised there is no option to state a percentage of loss of earnings?
Surely it wouldn’t add much to the complexity and most people would be happy to be honest.
In my case for example, I was down a bit in March but down to zero in April and May .
Had there been a percentage box for each month, I would have been happy to put 50% March, 100% April, May .
Seems like they could have saved some money ?

@Bimbleberries - I was also ready to submit this year’s (2019-20) tax return (although aware that it was not needed for calculating potential grant) but was unsure if I should wait to include the March part of the grant in this return: I contacted HMRC online last week and was told to include the entire grant in next year’s (2020-21) tax return.

I think it's a tricky one Nearlyoldenough - depending on what the self-employed person's line of business is they may not have lost any business yet because work was already in place for this period of time or money owed, but the work could start drying up tomorrow as the lockdown period takes it's toll on clients and the effects of that may not be felt yet and could last some time. And this grant may be all that's coming to the self-employed if they don't extend the scheme for a longer period of time.

Snorkel that’s a good point, hadn’t thought of it being a one off payment. Feel better about claiming now , especially given I will have basically nothing for the foreseeable future !

I missed out on the £10K small business grant on a highly frustrating technicality (my business premises are rented from a registered charity who is rates exempt, so I'm not on the small business rates relief register even though my situation is exactly the same as if I rented from any other landlord and was). Anyway, all of this is to say that I'm greatly relieved to find I'm eligible for this scheme at least. I also applied for a Bounce Back loan at 9am yesterday and - to answer a pp who asked upthread - had the money in my account by close of play today. This was Lloyds, if anyone cares.

Good luck to all.

@Hiraeth16 - thanks, that's useful to know what they said. I wonder if it means you HAVE to do it that way, or whether you can choose to split the tax up according to the years if that's how you normally do it.

@RedLentilYellowLentil ah thank you for sharing that info. I applied yesterday but got the automated email back suggesting it was being approved. Since it was instant and just an automated email, and I’ve not actually heard anything since, I’m worried I’ve probably not ACTUALLY been approved. Mine is Bank of Scotland.

Really appreciate you sharing your experience either way. And pleased it was nice and simple for you.

NB the calculations are NOT based on 19/20 returns
its 18/19 and before

@Bimbleberries - I didn’t ask specifically if you could declare the grant over 2 tax years (being keen to submit my self-assessment form for my excitement of the day...😆) but did get the query answered surprisingly quickly (13 mins) using HMRC’s online chat option.

Do we know what the criteria is?

I’m self employed and have submitted the relevant tax returns. My income is down by about 50% but I’m still earning a bit. Do I not apply?

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

I don't think I'm eligible but maybe someone could confirm? I have been a landlord for several years, inherited a family home and one of my kids wanted to buy it off me when they finished uni and got suitable job. So I let it in the meantime, of course the inevitable happened and they met someone at uni and have settled elsewhere. So my tenant moved out beginning of March and I intended to sell the house. Now I have a house sitting there, I'm paying out for more expensive insurance for an unoccupied house and paying council tax. I wouldn't want to claim for lost rent but the ongoing expenses are a bit of a pain but I assume I can't claim for that? Any ideas?

Renting property is not self employment
its Schedule A not Schedule D

Thanks, I wasn't sure as I do a self assessment. I wish I could just do something about the council tax.