SEISS 4th grant using 2020-21 figures

HelenWoodview

I claimed the first three grants. They were based solely on my 2018-19 return as I wasn't self employed prior to this  (and 2019-20 wasn't included). 

I have just claimed the 4th grant and they have calculated it on 2018-19 which they have said is 2017-18 for which no return exists, 2019-20 which they have called 2018-19 and the very recently submitted 2020-21, not even due until January, which they have said was my income in 2019-20.

Obviously this latest return is a fraction of my previous income owing to the pandemic. It has greatly reduced my grant. I wouldn't have submitted it yet if I knew they were going to use this figure, nowhere does it say they will.

Has anyone else had HMRC using 2020-21 figures to calculate their grant?

I have written to advise them that they have used the wrong figures as I can't get through on the phone.

Thanks,

Jeremy535897

It should be based on 2018/19 and 2019/20 alone.

No doubt you have seen this:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/get-help-with-the-self-employment-income-support-scheme

If you decide to call again, ring at 8am sharp (start a few minutes beforehand).

You can always return to your claim to see if it changes:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-self-employment-income-support-scheme#return-to-your-claim

HelenWoodview

Yes, that was my understanding. Hopefully once they get my letter it will be sorted. Thanks for prompt reply.

Braiths

So I filled my self employed tax return online early January so it was all sorted and that I could claim my 4th grant that I’m entitled to. I paid the calculation and paid the amount due. I then find out that I didn’t press the submit final button even though payment had been taken and left my account. So because this final submit button was pressed I’m not unable to claim for the 4th and 5th grant. Ive had no direct contact from Hmrc to inform me that it was submitted but only paid. I’ve now tried to appeal this I’ve had no luck. Anyone else had this issue at all

Jeremy535897

Unfortunately it seems to be rather a common issue on this board. Nobody has said they managed to overturn the rejection in these circumstances.

Braiths

They even said to me on the phone that they have had this happen to a lot of people. Surely this needs to be raised and those who have paid on time and did things correctly shouldn’t be punished. Even more annoying to see some people got a little longer to get them completed if they had not by the 31st jan. Seems very unfair on those who have paid on time and completed online in time but due to not pressing the finish button are being punished. The website even offered me the survey about how was my experience today. Gave me every reason to think all was completed. 

Jeremy535897

If you don't press the submit button, you haven't submitted it. You should always ensure you get a submission receipt, and print it off for your records.

HelenWoodview

I've now received the incorrect payment so will wait to see what their response to my letter is. They have definitely used 2020-21 figures as if they were 2019-20 income.

Percy1983

On you tax account have a look at your previously filed returns.
Seem odd the system would move everything a year as your saying, have you input the correct figures into the correct years? (not saying you have done it wrong but its worth a check).

HelenWoodview

I have now solved the issue with the 4th grant. In 2019-20 I had 4 income streams. I used almost all of my profits from the first three to put into a limited company set up to produce a play - this was a loss the first year and since Covid shut all theatrical production it has been impossible to tour the show as planned.

Whereas I was taxed on each income stream separately, they have lumped them all together for the 4th grant calculation so it appears my income was almost nothing in 2019-20.

Thank you for your time in responding to my earlier complaint.

Jeremy535897

That does not make sense. A loss made by a limited company has no impact on SEISS.