ICAEW.com works better with JavaScript enabled.

TAX NEWS

SEISS 4 claims open over the next week

Article

Published: 21 Apr 2021 Update History

In advance of the claims portal opening, HMRC has contacted those potentially eligible for the fourth Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant. ICAEW’s Tax Faculty has updated its guidance and a webinar is available to all members.

Somewhat later than hoped, claims for the fourth SEISS grant will open over the next week. HMRC has written to each potential claimant giving them their personal claim date. The faculty understands that these dates fall between 22 and 29 April; the phasing is to allow HMRC to manage demand.

The date provided is the earliest date on which the taxpayer can apply; the portal will remain open until 1 June 2021. Those who believe they are eligible but do not hear from HMRC are asked to wait until 30 April before contacting the SEISS helpline.

The taxpayer must confirm that they meet the criteria for the fourth grant, including that they:

  • traded in the tax years 2019/20 and 2020/21;
  • are currently trading but are impacted by reduced demand due to coronavirus, or have been trading but are temporarily unable to do so due to coronavirus;
  • intend to continue to trade; and
  • reasonably believe there will be a significant reduction in their trading profits.

HMRC has updated its guidance and a new direction has been published. ICAEW guidance and a webinar are also available.

Impact of including 2019/20 tax return data

The delay to the claims portal opening reflects the fact that HMRC has needed to incorporate 2019/20 self assessment tax return data into its calculations as the base years are now the four tax years 2016/17 to 2019/20 (where available).

The inclusion of 2019/20 tax return data means that up to 600,000 additional taxpayers who were not entitled to grants one to three may now be eligible for the fourth grant. HMRC has contacted approximately 100,000 of these taxpayers to carry out pre-verification checks; claimants have until 1 June to complete these checks and claim the grant.

Including 2019/20 data also means that a (relatively small) number of taxpayers who were eligible for the first three grants are not eligible for the fourth grant because they now fail one of the eligibility criteria. HMRC has contacted each of these taxpayers.

Even though the grant, like grants one and three, is 80% of three months trading profits capped at £7,500, most taxpayers will find that the amount of the grant they receive is different from previous grants because of the change to the base years.

Tax returns and amendments

To qualify for the fourth grant, the taxpayer must have submitted a 2019/20 tax return by 2 March 2021. The requirement to file by this date applies even if the taxpayer has reasonable excuse for late filing (though it might be worth pursuing the point in a very unusual case) and some taxpayers are likely to miss out on the fourth grant by not having filed by this deadline.

HMRC will base its calculations on the tax return data for 2016/17 to 2019/20 held in its systems on 2 March 2021. All 2016/17 to 2019/20 tax returns filed by 2 March 2021 will be taken into account, as will any amendments, assessments or contract settlements made by that date.

Changes to tax returns for any of the relevant tax years which are made after 2 March 2021 and which would reduce the amount of the grant or would cause the taxpayer to be no longer be eligible must be notified to HMRC and the appropriate amount of grant repaid, subject to a deminimis of £100.

This new requirement applies to grant four (and is expected to apply to grant five) and will require careful attention by taxpayers and agents. There was no such requirement for the earlier SEISS grants; amendments after 26 March 2020 are disregarded for grants one to three.

Further support

Webinar: SEISS grants update

In this webinar Caroline Miskin, from ICAEW's Tax Faculty, navigates the significant changes to the fifth SEISS grant and covers related tax return and compliance issues.

Tax
More support on tax

ICAEW's Tax Faculty provides technical guidance and practical support on tax practice and policy. You can sign up to the Tax Faculty's free enewsletter (TAXwire) which provides weekly updates on developments in tax.

Sign up for TAXwireJoin the Tax Faculty
Tax Faculty

This guidance is created by the Tax Faculty, recognised internationally as a leading authority and source of expertise on taxation. The Faculty is the voice of tax for ICAEW, responsible for all submissions to the tax authorities. Join the Faculty for expert guidance and support enabling you to provide the best advice on tax to your clients or business.

Open AddCPD icon

Add Verified CPD Activity

Introducing AddCPD, a new way to record your CPD activities!

Log in to start using the AddCPD tool. Available only to ICAEW members.

Add this page to your CPD activity

Step 1 of 3
Download recorded
Download not recorded

Please download the related document if you wish to add this activity to your record

What time are you claiming for this activity?
Mandatory fields

Add this page to your CPD activity

Step 2 of 3
Mandatory field

Add activity to my record

Step 3 of 3
Mandatory field

Activity added

An error has occurred
Please try again

If the problem persists please contact our helpline on +44 (0)1908 248 250