SEISS – Evidence that your business has been adversely affected by coronavirus

From today, the self-employed can start to claim under the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Not everyone will be able to claim SEISS today, but you can register to make a claim and will be given a date over the next few days upon which you will be given access to complete your claim.

Evidence you must keep for SEISS

It is very important to note that if you claim SEISS you will need to keep evidence that your business has been adversely affected by Coronavirus and confirm your income suffered as a result of the Coronavirus. The Government are well aware that this scheme is open to fraudulent claims and will be carrying out investigations where they think fraud has taken place. They will expect you to keep records and provide on request evidence of the following to support your claim:

• Business accounts showing a reduction in turnover
• Confirmation of any Coronavirus-related business loans you have received
• Dates your business had to close due to lockdown restrictions
• Dates you or your staff were unable to work due to Coronavirus symptoms, shielding or caring responsibilities due to school closures

Reasons your business saw a reduction in turnover to justify claiming SEISS could include:

• When you were unable to work because you:
  • were shielding
  • were self-isolating
  • were on sick leave because of coronavirus
  • had caring responsibilities because of coronavirus
• When you had to scale down or temporarily stop trading because:
  • your supply chain has been interrupted
  • you have fewer or no customers or clients
  • your staff are unable to come in to work

Bear in mind that you may not have to provide this evidence until after you tax return is submitted in January 2021. The SEISS provides grants not loans, but that won’t stop HMRC pursuing anyone who they believe has claimed fraudulently.

“We are building checks into the self-employment support scheme to prevent fraud. Only those already known to HMRC through tax return data as self-employed will be able to apply.

We already have a wide range of statutory and common law powers to tackle fraud and criminality, which will be used.”
– HMRC Spokesperson

Reporting you SEISS Grant

The SEISS grant is taxable and may affect other payments you receive such as Universal Credit and Tax Credits. You will need to report the grant:

• On your Self Assessment tax return
• As self-employed income for any Universal Credit claims
• As self-employed income and that you’re working 16 hours a week for any tax credits claims

How to claim SEISS

In order to claim SEISS you will need your:

• Self Assessment Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
• National Insurance number
• Government Gateway user ID and password
• UK bank details

The first step towards submitting a claim will be to complete the HMRC online tool to find out if you’re eligible to make a claim.

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