Key updates for SEISS 4 & 5

23 March 2021

Following the announcement in the budget earlier this month, the fourth Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant will be open to some taxpayers who became newly self-employed in 2019/20 and were previously part of the ‘excluded group’.

HMRC’s writing to some of those who started self-employment in 2019/20 and those who wish to claim the fourth and fifth self-employment income support (SEISS) grants to complete pre-verification checks. This will include confirming their identity and providing evidence of an ‘active trade’.

Following this, they’ll send a letter between 8th March and mid-April 2021, shortly followed by a phone call from HMRC themselves within 10 working days. There will be three phone calls made to make contact, so it’s important to make sure the correct contact number’s on file.

They’ll then ask the individual to confirm their email address and agree to receive a link to a secure Dropbox. The individual will then have two days to upload one form of identity and three months’ worth of bank statements to demonstrate their business activity. If HMRC’s unsuccessful in reaching the taxpayer, they’ll write again.

It’s important to note that taxpayers who receive the letter but don’t complete the checks will not be able to claim a grant.

The updates to the SEISS legislation are ever changing and can be a little confusing to say the least. And, with so many fake companies claiming to be HMRC, it really can be a minefield. So, if you have any queries relating to whether you can now claim the latest iteration of SEISS, and how much you can claim, then give our Tax team a call on 01604 273782, who will take you through the ‘ins & outs’ of this process. 

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