As we have now entered the 2020-21 tax year, those applying for the Self Employed Income Support Scheme should by law be allowed to include their 2019-20 tax return. 

The current scheme has many loopholes that let down thousands of self employed people. Those who are new to self employment and individuals who have taken time off during the 18-19 tax year for maternity/sickness/caring for others are all considered ineligible.

It is also letting down many people who work on a contract basis with both PAYE and schedule D payments.

The government  are refusing to include 2019-20 at present in fear of fraud; People claiming they earn alot more than they do in order to claim more through the scheme.

This is totally implausible. If a person were to claim they have earned more, they would also be expected to pay the tax equivalent. Noone of sound mind would be willing to do this and the only way to counteract this would be to balance it out on expenses, in which case - it defeats the point as the scheme only covers for a self employed persons PROFIT. 

As tax payers we should be judged on the most recent and accurate tax year submitted.

We should also be treated fairly and equally as the employed. An employed person is not means tested. There is no £50,000 cap on earnings and a person's savings / partners income are not considered. So why is this all a consideration for eligibility for the self employed?

If we are truly 'in this together' as the government continue to state, then surely we should be treated equally instead of having one rule for one and one for another.