--- title: "HMRC encourages self-employed to claim COVID-19 support" url: https://taxdisputes.co.uk/2020/05/hmrc-encourages-self-employed-claim-covid-19-coronavirus-support-claims-income-support-scheme-legal-advice/ date: 2020-05-28 modified: 2026-06-02 author: "Annabel Clarke" description: "HMRC will begin contacting around three and a half million taxpayers who may be eligible for the government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. HMRC will explain the application process for the..." categories: - "Coronavirus" - "COVID-19" - "HMRC" - "Media" - "News" tags: - "Coronavirus" - "COVID-19" - "HMRC" - "HMRC Tax Disputes" - "Tax Appeal" - "Tax Disputes" - "Tax Tribunal" image: https://taxdisputes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/hmrc.jpg word_count: 511 --- # HMRC encourages self-employed to claim COVID-19 support [HMRC ](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/self-employed-invited-to-get-ready-to-make-their-claims-for-coronavirus-covid-19-support)will begin contacting around three and a half million taxpayers who may be eligible for the government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. [HMRC ](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/self-employed-invited-to-get-ready-to-make-their-claims-for-coronavirus-covid-19-support)will explain the application process for the support scheme and how they will be able to make a claim.  Those who are eligible will be able to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their average trading profits up to a maximum of £7,500 (equivalent to three months’ profits), paid in a single instalment. HMRC is also inviting customers, or their agents, to [go online and check their eligibility for SEISS](https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/self-employment-support). ## How will the Scheme help those who are self employed? The service opened on 13 May 2020 and will allow those who are self-employed to claim a taxable grant worth up to 80% of their average trading profits for three months. The maximum grant for those who are eligible will be a maximum of £7,500.  [HMRC ](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/self-employed-invited-to-get-ready-to-make-their-claims-for-coronavirus-covid-19-support)will use the information that is provided in their 2018/2018 tax return, returns for 2016/17 and returns for 2017/18 if needed, to gadge whether people are eligible for the scheme and how much for.  ## Who is eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme? Self-employed taxpayers whose businesses have been adversely affected by the [Covid-19 crisis](https://taxdisputes.co.uk/2020/04/how-will-covid-19-affect-tax-disputes-with-hmrc/) will be eligible for the scheme.  Taxpayers will also have to: - Have traded in 2019/20 and intend to continue trading;- Earned at least half of their income through self-employment; - Have trading profits of no more than £50,000 a year; - Have traded in the tax year 2018 to 2019 and submitted their tax return on or before 23 April 2020 for that year.  ## How to make a claim from the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme? [HMRC ](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/self-employed-invited-to-get-ready-to-make-their-claims-for-coronavirus-covid-19-support)are encouraging those who believe they are [eligible ](https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/self-employment-support/enter-unique-taxpayer-reference)for the scheme to use their [online check](https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/self-employment-support/enter-unique-taxpayer-reference) to show their eligibility. Once someone is confirmed as eligible they will be given a date when they will be able to submit their appeal.  Those [eligible ](https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/self-employment-support/enter-unique-taxpayer-reference)are also encouraged to ensure that their contact information is up to date so that they can easily be contacted if they are able to receive a grant. The claims service will open on 13 May 2020 which [HMRC ](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/self-employed-invited-to-get-ready-to-make-their-claims-for-coronavirus-covid-19-support)have explained is ahead of their original timetable. ## Expert London Tax Investigation Lawyers If you need [HMRC ](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs)[Tax Investigation](https://taxdisputes.co.uk/hmrc-tax-investigations-solicitors-london/) advice, we are available to aid you at every stage of the [HMRC ](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs)investigate process. Members of our legal team have first-hand experience and knowledge of the internal workings of [HMRC](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs). We can provide you with the very best representation in negotiations with [HMRC ](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs)and defending all forms of [HMRC ](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs)fraud, tax inquiry, tax fraud investigation, criminal tax evasion and [HMRC ](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs)enquiries and investigations. Our team specialises in successfully challenging [HMRC ](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs)decisions and will assist you in every aspect of the investigation. Our specialist Tax Solicitors and Barristers deliver expert technical knowledge, strong negotiation skills and respected advice, which can make a pronounced difference to eventual tax penalties, charges and liability. **We provide urgent advice and representation to clients from our unique expert team of established Tax and Duties specialist solicitors and barristers with a proven track record of delivering authoritative results. Just call us on 0207 1830 529, or email [contact@lexlaw.co.uk](javascript:;).**