The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme

Author: - Posted On:

The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme

The new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme is designed to support the self-employed who have been adversely affected by the Coronavirus, whereby the government will pay a taxable grant worth 80% of their average monthly profits over the last 3 years, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.

The details:

  • The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme is open to any self-employed with income up to £50,000 who have lost trading/partnership trading profits due to COVID-19.
  • It will be available to people who genuinely earn more than half of their income through self-employment.
  • It will be available to those who are already in self-employment and who have submitted their Self Assessment tax return for the tax year 2018-19. The government has allowed anyone who missed the filing deadline in January, 4 weeks to submit their tax return i.e. before 23 April 2020.
  • You must be trading when you apply and intend to continue to trade in the tax year 2020-2021.
  • HMRC is working on the scheme and they expect people to be able to access the scheme no later than the beginning of June.
  • If you are eligible, HMRC will contact you directly and ask you to fill out a simple online form.
  • HMRC will pay the grant directly into your bank account, in one instalment.
  • The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme will be open for 3 months. The government may extend this if necessary.

What about now?

For anyone who is struggling right now, the government points to the following measures:

  • Self-employed people can access the Business Interruption Loans (more detail on this on page 3).
  • Self-assessment income tax payments, that were due in July, can be deferred to the end of January 2021.
  • Self-employed people who have no income will be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and/or Universal Credit (dependant on eligibility).

Business photo created by mindandi - www.freepik.com

Your internet browser is not supported with this website. Download a free, up-to-date browser here. ×