HMRC has added a new online tool this morning for people to check if they are potentially able to make a claim under the self-employment income support scheme
https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/self-employment-support/enter-unique-taxp...
Agents can check use it to check if a client would be potentially able to claim though can't make the claim themselves.
For clients:
You need to first enter your UTR number and then your national insurance number.
The tool will then say if you are potentially able to make the claim though does not say how much.
You can then register your interest in making the claim by supplying them with your contact details. That is done via the Government Gateway route. If you've already got a Government Gateway ID and password log in and presumably it will then ask for contact details.
If you don't, then you'll need to create one and there's a link to do that,
You will be able to make the claim as from mid-day on the 15th.
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I thought HMRC was going to contact eligible people see below
The online service you’ll use to claim is not available yet. HMRC will aim to contact you by mid-May 2020 if you’re eligible, to invite you to claim using the GOV.UK online service. Payment will be made by early June 2020 if your claim is approved.
Or is this bad wording ??
Agents can't make the claim?
I have a fair few self-employed subbies who do not own computers, they are labourers who get CIS repayments each year & will be expecting us to make the claim for them. This could get interesting!
There will be another way I am sure albeit probably slower or hanging on the phone to HMRC. We will see.....
Checked and it now says 8am on the 14th for the one I did. Unless they are being staggered?
It's probably a blessing in disguise that agents can't do it. It would involve another round of Covid related work which may not be recoverable. I understand that some clients are not computer literate, but for most of them it will be surprising how quickly they learn if there is free money on offer.
Its all a cunning plan to get everyone online.
Plus anoterh cunning plan to get folk to ditch using their accountants.
Then HMRC can make millions from penalties and fines.
This mornings latest HMRC move to make accountants be involved:-
This week we will start contacting people who may be eligible for the new Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
If they are eligible, this scheme will allow them to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their trading profits up to a maximum of £7,500.
The process is quick and easy for your clients to follow, but we are asking for your help in guiding them through the eligibility criteria and the process for checking and claiming.
Advising clients
You can play an important role in supporting your clients by helping them get ready to claim, by:
talking them through why they may / may not be eligible
helping them to find the details they need
using the online eligibility checker on their behalf (or supporting them to use it themselves).
Under the rules of the scheme, not every self-employed person will be able to claim, so we’d value your support in helping them understand this. Your client must complete the claim themselves.
More problems for us
Once you've entered the UTR and NI numbers it asks for contact details BUT it then says
"You need to use Government Gateway to sign in and add your contact details.
If you do not have an existing Government Gateway user ID and password you should create them now."
Expect the phones to ring
It beggars belief that HMRC prevents the people whom are in the best possible position to submit the self employed SEISS claims.
If as an accountant you delude yourself that work such as this is "not billable" then good luck with speaking to each and every individual client who WILL get stuck in a matter of minutes trying to do it themselves, and who WILL ring you asking for the solutions.
It appears the date differs for some. I've had clients say it says 15th and 14th. Now you say 13th. Maybe they are staggering claims?
If you try to follow the claim through, using Agent's log in details you get:-
https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/self-employment-support/account/agent-uns...
so, all as envisaged. You cannot use this service
Agents cannot make a claim through this scheme on behalf of their client.You should tell your clients that they will need to make the claim themselves.