What counts as 'earnings' for your pension contribution limit?

californiasunshine

Hoping you guys can kindly help with this question. Does anyone know what kinds of income count as 'earnings' for the purposes of calculating your pension contribution limit?
Obviously salary and self employment profits count. And I know that earnings/dividends from investments don't count. But what about things like Renewable Heat Incentive/FIT payments? Business insurance payouts for lost income? Or the Covid payments replacing lost earnings? 
Thanks!

Secret2ndAccount

I'm not a tax lawyer. Maybe one will come along and give you a better answer. This is just how I see it.

The Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) payments are considered profit of the business. They are subject to income tax, and are relevant earnings for pension contribs. Of this I am sure. All three payments so far should be entered on your next tax form after April (not the following year, even if your accounting period would point that way), so the pension contribs would need to be made before April 5th.

For the other items you asked about, I think the same principle applies. If your insurance is paid to the business, and increases the business profits, then it ends up being taxable and relevant. If it comes straight to you, it is neither taxable nor relevant.

Hope this helps

zagfles

There's a list here: https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/pensions-tax-manual/ptm044100