If you became newly self-employed in 2019/20, you may be eligible for the fourth self-employed income support scheme grant. HMRC will be protecting the scheme from fraud with pre-verification checks. They will be writing to up to 100,000 taxpayers to request that they complete these checks.
If you became self-employed in 2019/20 and you wish to claim the fourth and fifth SEISS grant, you may be required to complete these pre-verification checks to confirm your identity and show evidence of trading.
If you are required to do so, you should receive a letter from HMRC from the 8th of March until mid-April 2021. This letter will inform you that you can expect a call from HMRC in the next 10 working days.
When you are called by HMRC, you will be requested to confirm your email address. You will be emailed a secure Dropbox link and given two days to upload a valid form of identity and bank statements for a three-month period to prove your trading activity. Preparing this documentation in advance by keeping your records up to date will ensure you can respond quickly when the information is requested.
It is important to ensure you have registered your current and up to date contact information with HMRC. They will make three attempts to contact you by phone and it is important that they can get through to you if you need to claim these grants. If you receive the letter but do not complete the checks, you will be unable to claim the grant.
If you need to update your phone number with HMRC, please contact them on 0800 024 1222.
Please be aware that delays to the postal system could mean that you receive your phone call before you have received the letter from HMRC.
With scams on the rise, it is important to make sure you are speaking with HMRC before disclosing any personal information. Please see the GOV.UK website for more information about the letters and phone calls you can expect to receive.