The deadline for claiming the third SEISS grant is fast approaching. If you are eligible, you must make your claim on or before 29‌‌‌ ‌January 2021.

As with the first and second SEISS grants, the third grant will be subject to Income Tax and self-employed National Insurance and must also be reported on your 2020-21 Self Assessment tax returns (to be submitted by 31‌‌‌ ‌January 2022).

Confirming a significant reduction in trading profits

Before you make a claim for the third grant, you must decide if the impact on your business will cause a significant reduction in your trading profits for the tax year you report them in.

HMRC cannot make this decision on your behalf because your individual and wider business circumstances will need to be considered when deciding whether the reduction is significant.

You do not have to consider any other coronavirus scheme support payments you have already received when deciding whether you reasonably believe that you will suffer a significant reduction in trading profits due to reduced activity, capacity, demand or inability to trade due to coronavirus during 1‌‌‌ ‌November 2020 to 29‌‌‌ ‌January 2021 (period covered by the third grant).

HMRC has announced that Self Assessment tax payers will not receive a penalty for filing 2019-20 tax returns late, as long as you file online by 28‌‌ ‌February 2021.  If you have not yet filed, you are encouraged to do so by 31‌‌ ‌January 2021, if possible.

You still need to pay your Self Assessment tax bill by 31‌‌ ‌January 2021! Interest will be charged from 1‌‌ ‌February 2021on any outstanding liabilities. You can pay online, or through your bank, or by post before you file.

If you cannot afford to pay by 31‌‌ ‌January 2021, you may be able to set up an affordable plan and pay in monthly instalments. But you will need to file your 2019-20 tax return before setting up a time to pay arrangement. More information is available on GOV.UK.