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there’s no such thing as free money
Indeed, and I'm sure we'll all be paying in some way for years to come. Unfortunately, I imagine it will mostly come in ways that hit the poorest hardest.
Got mine into the bank yesterday.... That was quick!
Already put the tax part of it into another account so I don't spend it!
I got mine today, I’m tempted not to touch it until I’m desperate. Although I’ve lost work I’m still currently working so I can cover bills. My losses are impossible to prove so I’m very concerned mr tax man will see I’ve still been earning and demand the money back.
I’m not sure how they could possibly manage it - if (for example) a person earned £40k in 16/17, £45k in 17/18 and £49,999.99 in 18/19, their expected earnings would be £55k for the coming year so it would be fair for them to say that anything less than £55k would be a fair reason for them to claim. It’s so not black and white (and the Government understaffed) that I can’t see anyone being asked to give money back.
The way I see it, they have concluded that to check with everyone that their income has actually been affected is far too complex.
Remember, just because you’ve had work now doesn’t mean that it won’t be affected over the rest of the year as clients tighten their belts, or go to the wall, or delay projects.
You had to make a declaration that your business had been affected when you claimed. I suspect that if the fickle finger of fate points at you and they investigate you they will expect to see a change in your turnover for that period/the coming months. If there isn’t one, and you can’t prove that you lost business due to the virus then maybe there will be penalties.
We have to pay tax on the amount awarded in any case so I’m just treating it as extra income (which is nowhere near what I’d have actually turned over in the last 3 months of clients hadn’t shut sites down) and being grateful to get it at all.