Fourth round of SEISS grants have now opened up to the public

The fourth round of Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grants have now opened up to the public.

The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) has been extended to September 2021and details of claims for the fourth grant have now been released. This fourth grant covers February, March and April 2021. There will then be a fifth grant covering May to September 2021. 

The latest grant allows the self-employed to claim 80% of their average profits for the period up to 2019/20, and is again limited to £2,500 a month.

There are lots of conditions that need to be satisfied such as being self-employed in 2019/20 and continuing to trade in 2020/21 or would be doing so if it the business had not been impacted by coronavirus.

In order to be able to make a successful claim the self-employed profits in 2019/20 must not exceed £50,000 and must be more than 50% of the individual’s total income. If that test is not met, then the same £50,000 and 50% tests are applied to average profits and total income over the four years (or shorter period) to 5 April 2020. This means that those who commenced trading in 2019/20 will now potentially be eligible for SEISS grants, having not previously qualified for the first three grants.

Although accountants cannot make the claim on a tax-payers behalf we can help you determine whether you are eligible and assist you with your claim if required.

HMRC will contact you to give you your personal claim date.

Conditions for the fifth grant will be linked to a reduction in business turnover. 

Self-employed individuals whose turnover has fallen by 30% or more will continue to receive the full grant worth 80% of three months’ average trading profits, capped at £7,500. People whose turnover has fallen by less than 30% will receive a 30% grant, capped at £2,850. We are still awaiting further details of the fifth grant calculation.