Self Assessment: don’t forget to declare COVID-19 payments

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding Self Assessment customers that they must declare COVID-19 payments in their tax return for the 2021 to 2022 tax year.

More than 2.9 million people claimed at least one Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) payment up to 5 April 2022. These grants are taxable and should be declared on tax returns for the 2021 to 2022 tax year before the deadline on 31 January 2023.

The SEISS application and payment windows during the 2021 to 2022 tax year were:

• SEISS 4: 22 April 2021 to 1 June 2021
• SEISS 5: 29 July 2021 to 30 September 2021

SEISS is not the only COVID-19 support scheme that should be declared on tax returns. If customers received other support payments during the 2021 to 2022 tax year, they may need to report this on their tax return if they are:

• self-employed
• in a partnership
• a business

Customers can check which COVID-19 grants or payments they need to report to HMRC on GOV.UK. This applies to payments received during the 2021 to 2022 tax year.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

“We want to help customers get their tax returns right, first time. We have videos and guidance available online to support you with your Self Assessment. Search ‘help with Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK to find out more.”

Help and support is available on GOV.UK for those completing their Self Assessment tax returns. There is also a series of videos on YouTube.

The free and secure HMRC app can be used to make Self Assessment payments. Alternative payment options include:

• paying through PAYE tax code (subject to eligibility)
• paying via online banking

Those who are unable to pay their tax bill in full can access the support and advice that’s available on GOV.UK. HMRC may be able to help by arranging an affordable payment plan, known as a Time to pay. Customers should try to do this online, go to GOV.UK for more information. Alternatively, they can contact the helpline.

All Self Assessment customers need to be alert to the risk of criminals emailing, calling or texting claiming to be from HMRC. Scams come in many forms - some threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion, others offer a tax rebate. Contacts like these should set alarm bells ringing and HMRC advises customers to take their time and check scams advice by searching for ‘HMRC scams’ on GOV.UK. HMRC also urges customers never to share their HMRC login details. Someone using them could steal from the customer or make a fraudulent claim in their name.

Notes to Editors

1. More information about Self Assessment

2. If customers are self-employed or in a partnership and received any coronavirus financial support, they will need to declare it on their Self Assessment Tax Return.

If self employed, they should use:

form SA103S - short if a customer’s tax affairs are simple and their turnover was below the VAT threshold (£85,000) for the tax year
form SA103F - full if their annual turnover was above the VAT threshold for the tax year

If in a partnership, they should use:

form SA104S - short if they are only declaring partnership trading income
form SA104F - full to record all the possible types of partnership income they might receive

3. SEISS payments should be placed in the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant box on a customer’s Self Assessment tax return. They should record all other taxable COVID-19 payments in the any other business income box.

4. The government is offering help for households. Check GOV.UK to find out what cost of living support you could be eligible for.

5. Follow HMRC’s Press Office on Twitter @HMRCpressoffice