LITRG warns self-employed that SEISS is taxable
The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has warned
self-employed individuals that the government's coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-employment
Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is taxable.
The group is concerned that many may wrongly assume
that the SEISS funds are exempt from tax, particularly as they are termed 'grants'
by the government. It is warning that many people may have to pay a third of
the grant back in tax and Class 4 national insurance contributions (NICs).
The LITRG said that grants made to the self-employed
via the SEISS are likely to be included in claimants' 2020/21 self assessment
tax returns.
Commenting on the issue, Victoria Todd, Head of the
LITRG, said: 'Many claimants of the SEISS grants might, understandably, use the
money as soon as they get it, for example to catch up on liabilities or to meet
essential living costs - but they need to think now about budgeting for income
tax and national insurance on it.'
More information on the SEISS can be found here.