Voluntary repayment window for Covid grants opens

Individuals and businesses that received Covid payments they weren’t entitled to have until December to pay back any money owed under a voluntary repayment scheme. This period offers the grace of a ‘no questions asked’ solution for people to repay any grants they shouldn’t have had. So, if you’re in this position, it would be best to act now. This is the last chance for anyone owing money to come forward and repay before HM Treasury starts more severe recovery processes next year, which could include prosecution. There isn’t a set date for this window to close, we only know it will be open ‘until December 2025’ according to the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG). Grants covered in this window include a variety of Covid support payments, such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, and the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

What were the SEISS grants?

The SEISS support scheme helped self-employed people who were struggling and needed Government support during the pandemic. It ended in September 2021, and consisted of five separate grant payments for those who met certain eligibility criteria. You can find more details on who would have qualified for these grants and who may need to pay them back at Gov.uk. Some self-employed people may have made mistakes on their grant applications in relation to fully meeting all criteria and tests that were specified. Someone may have inadvertently looked at the wrong criteria, or simply didn’t understand the rules properly when they applied. If you think you might be in this position, then it would be wise to speak to your accountant to double check, and if you find you have made a mistake, then you should begin the process of paying the money back during this window.

How do you make a repayment under the scheme?

If you think you might have received Covid support money you shouldn’t have had, then the first step is to go to the relevant webpage for more information about each Covid support scheme. If the grant you need to pay back is an SEISS grant, then there is more information specifically about these and how to deal with repayments at Gov.uk. Use the ‘start now’ button at the bottom of this page to begin the process and you will be asked a series of questions, which you will need to answer based on your circumstances. You will also need some specific information to hand before you start, including:

• Your Government Gateway user ID and password.
• Your Self-Assessment Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number.
• Your grant claim reference number.

Source: LITRG Your UTR is on your self-assessment tax return or in your personal tax account with HMRC. If you can’t find it, your accountant will be able to help. Your grant claim reference number is on the online copy of your grant claim according to the LITRG, which you would have got when you made your SEISS claim. After you file the form, HMRC will come back to you with details on what to do next, and how to make the payment.

We can help you

If you think you may need to repay Covid grants, or you simply want reassurance that you have done everything correctly, then please contact us and we will do everything we can to assist you.