[p1w1]

My local MP has indicated to me twice this week that there are further measures to be brought in on Monday/Tuesday for the self employed.

80% of last years self assessment is fair given what employed people are getting. As said above all the figures are there to see.

Those that have under-declared won’t be happy with the above but that’s the choice they made when not paying their taxes correctly.

What if they had a bad year? Off sick for a while?
I remember us going for a mortgage after I'd had a long spell off work and resigned a part time job for two of the three years. Not good.
Some could get penalised twice.

Exactly, what if you just invested in a load of new equipment that year, the list goes on.

[Richard Groves]

Yeah of course the list goes on. And on......... and on..........
But at some point it's got to stop.
It would be impossible for everybody to be happy. If they even gave me 50% of my last return, I'd pack up tomorrow and do what they are asking of us all.

[Richard Groves]

I don't want to carry on as normal tomorrow. But until the government put a better offer out for the self employed I've no choice. Right now I don't even want to go to a shop, let alone try to work. The advice is not even to see your own mother today.

[G Griffin]

Yeah of course the list goes on. And on......... and on..........
But at some point it's got to stop.
It would be impossible for everybody to be happy. If they even gave me 50% of my last return, I'd pack up tomorrow and do what they are asking of us all.

Ok.
50% of what then? We don't even know how long a lockdown would be. They're not going to pay out 50% of 12 months if you're off work for much less than that.

[SB Cleaning]

Yeah of course the list goes on. And on......... and on..........
But at some point it's got to stop.
It would be impossible for everybody to be happy. If they even gave me 50% of my last return, I'd pack up tomorrow and do what they are asking of us all.

Ok.
50% of what then? We don't even know how long a lockdown would be. They're not going to pay out 50% of 12 months if you're off work for much less than that.

We wont even get 50%

It will be the £94 a week for us that's it.

[Slacky]

Working all that out would for every individual would take forever.

No it wouldn't. You submit your earnings on an annual basis, they have your figures on a computer; all the Govt has to do is base what they grant each individual on an average figure you've submitted to them after expenses for the last three years. Divide it by 12 and there's your figure.

[James Styles]

Well I’d get f all then as I’ve only been self employed about 11 months

[Don Kee]

Yeah of course the list goes on. And on......... and on..........
But at some point it's got to stop.
It would be impossible for everybody to be happy. If they even gave me 50% of my last return, I'd pack up tomorrow and do what they are asking of us all.

Ok.
50% of what then? We don't even know how long a lockdown would be. They're not going to pay out 50% of 12 months if you're off work for much less than that.

In fairness, the maths isn’t hard...

Last years earnings, divide by 12 for monthly income and then what ever percentage of that, that is being thrown about. (Slacky beat me to it!)

Can’t see it happening though.

Just like with the employees 80% ruling, they’ll need/want a blanket implementation to avoid delays.

Not everyone will be happy but these are unhappy times.

[RPCCS]

First time in 52 years I haven't seen my mother on mother's day. Gutted,but phoned her earlier,I daren't risk it as she's 87 and has diabetes, irregular heartbeat and asthma.

[Granny]

I've just checked for Universal Credit and I feel bloody stupid for saving some money. We should have spent it all then we'd be eligible.

[G Griffin]

Working all that out would for every individual would take forever.

No it wouldn't. You submit your earnings on an annual basis, they have your figures on a computer; all the Govt has to do is base what they grant each individual on an average figure you've submitted to them after expenses for the last three years. Divide it by 12 and there's your figure.

Three years would be fairer. Or maybe longer. But some could have been employed in that period or even out of work.
This is why we clean windows .

[G Griffin]

Yeah of course the list goes on. And on......... and on..........
But at some point it's got to stop.
It would be impossible for everybody to be happy. If they even gave me 50% of my last return, I'd pack up tomorrow and do what they are asking of us all.

Ok.
50% of what then? We don't even know how long a lockdown would be. They're not going to pay out 50% of 12 months if you're off work for much less than that.

In fairness, the maths isn’t hard...

Last years earnings, divide by 12 for monthly income and then what ever percentage of that, that is being thrown about. (Slacky beat me to it!)

Can’t see it happening though.

Just like with the employees 80% ruling, they’ll need/want a blanket implementation to avoid delays.

Not everyone will be happy but these are unhappy times.

But TBK said he'd finish tomorrow and we don't know the length of any lockdown. They couldn't do the maths until we know how long it's for.
Basing it on last years earnings might be unfair to some, as well.
But there'll never be a perfect solution.

[p1w1]

Working all that out would for every individual would take forever.

No it wouldn't. You submit your earnings on an annual basis, they have your figures on a computer; all the Govt has to do is base what they grant each individual on an average figure you've submitted to them after expenses for the last three years. Divide it by 12 and there's your figure.

Yes it would, there is roughly 5 million people registered self employed, they cant just pop on a computer and work it all out for everybody overnight.  It would take a long time for them to sift through everyone, especially when their already busy with all the other stuff their doing at the moment.

[Slacky]

But it wouldn't be a reason not to do it or not to have it in place when the system could cope. I couldn't care less how long it takes, so long as I knew the money was in the pipeline. If I cut back on all my expenses I could get by for 5 months I reckon; maybe people will save a little more from now on, for times like this. Its going to go on for a long time, be prepared.

[Richard Groves]

Yeah of course the list goes on. And on......... and on..........
But at some point it's got to stop.
It would be impossible for everybody to be happy. If they even gave me 50% of my last return, I'd pack up tomorrow and do what they are asking of us all.

Ok.
50% of what then? We don't even know how long a lockdown would be. They're not going to pay out 50% of 12 months if you're off work for much less than that.

The employed will be getting 80 %  of their weekly, monthly, annual, daily or hourly pay  its all the same. No we don't know how long it's going on for, nobody does. They want everybody other than key workers off the streets and safely isolating themselves at home. 90 odd quid a week as it stands now will not deter us from working. My point was even 50% of my monthly or whatever way you want to word it is still much better than poxy ssp. I'd stay home with my feet up, wouldn't have to ask me twice. It would be enough to cover my monthly outgoings and when it's all over just go back to where I left off. Providing half my round hasn't died by then, which let's face, is the whole reason we are all meant to be at home.

[Slacky]

Precisely.

[KS Cleaning]

My local MP has indicated to me twice this week that there are further measures to be brought in on Monday/Tuesday for the self employed.

80% of last years self assessment is fair given what employed people are getting. As said above all the figures are there to see.

Those that have under-declared won’t be happy with the above but that’s the choice they made when not paying their taxes correctly.

I hope if it does happen it goes on an average of the last 3 years or so. I bought a new van last financial year which could have a big  impact on any pay out for me😢

[Don Kee]

But TBK said he'd finish tomorrow and we don't know the length of any lockdown. They couldn't do the maths until we know how long it's for.
Basing it on last years earnings might be unfair to some, as well.
But there'll never be a perfect solution.

I agree, there wont be a perfect solution.


If they base it on my last years earnings or even an average over the last three years then brilliant, I’m quids in.
If they wait another two weeks then my year end earning will be down due to enforced part time hours for the three months before Christmas due to the wife rupturing her achilles and having to do school runs and no employee to cover at the time.

It is what it is though isn’t it?

Some help will be better than no help, we’re looking for a perfect answer in an imperfect time.
You’ve seen with the 80% employees wages being covered it’s imperfect.
If work downturns more than it already has within the next week or so, it’ll be a grind to keep him on whilst waiting for reimbursement.
Especially seeing as the only way to get the reimbursement is to furlough him, still cover his wages whilst he’s not working for the next month or so, whilst working on my own.
An imperfect solution but the best we have...


With the earnings most post on here, most should hopefully have some set back which gives time to get this sorted and then rolled out.

[p1w1]

But it wouldn't be a reason not to do it or not to have it in place when the system could cope. I couldn't care less how long it takes, so long as I knew the money was in the pipeline. If I cut back on all my expenses I could get by for 5 months I reckon; maybe people will save a little more from now on, for times like this. Its going to go on for a long time, be prepared.

I agree nothing wrong with it being done, just that it wouldn't as quick like it can with PAYE.
In my opinion there are many benefits of being self employed when all is well, work when we want, charge what we want, its up to ourselves to choose how and when we make our money and look after ourselves work wise.  However now we are seeing the downside of it and to a point we will just have to suck it up, its no different to say if you broke your leg and couldn't work you would also have to fend for yourself then. So if we do get any big help then it should be looked on as a bonus but not think its a given right to be helped out.
The PAYE being helped out is also helping us out anyway as there is more of a chance of keeping customers then if they were not getting this benefit and being forced to cancel our services because of no income coming in.

[p1w1]

Although it may sound horrible, i cant help think that a lot of good will come of all this once people have got through it.