The Income Support (General) Regulations 1987

CHAPTER IV E+W+S self-employed earners

Earnings of self-employed earners E+W+S

37.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), “earnings”, in the case of employment as a self-employed earner, means the gross receipts of the employment and shall include any allowance paid under section 2 of the Employment and Training Act 1973F1 [F2 or section 2 of the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990] to the claimant for the purpose of assisting him in carrying on his business.

[F3 (2) “Earnings” shall not include—

(a) where a claimant is involved in providing board and lodging accommodation for which a charge is payable, any payment by way of such a charge;]

[F4 (b) any payment to which paragraph [F5 26, 27 or 27A] of Schedule 9 refers (payments in respect of a person accommodated with the claimant under an arrangement made by a local authority or voluntary organisation [F6 , payments] made to the claimant by a health authority, local authority or voluntary organisation in respect of persons temporarily in the claimant’s care [F7 and any payments made to a claimant under section 73(1)(b) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (kinship care assistance)]).]

[F8 (ba) any payment made in accordance with section 26A of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (duty to provide continuing care)—

(i) to a claimant; or

(ii) where paragraph (3) applies, to another person (“A”) which A passes on to the claimant;]

[F9 (c) any sports award.]

[F10 (3) This paragraph applies only where A—

(a) was formerly in the claimant’s care;

(b) is aged 16 or over; and

(c) continues to live with the claimant.]

Textual Amendments

F1 1973 c. 50; section 2 was amended by sections 9 and 11 and Schedule 2 Part II paragraph 9 and Schedule 3 of the Employment and Training Act 1981 (c. 57).

F2 Words in reg. 37(1) inserted (1.4.1991) by The Enterprise (Scotland) Consequential Amendments Order 1991 (S.I. 1991/387), arts. 1, 2, Sch.

F3 Reg. 37(2) substituted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/2155), regs. 1(1), 16

F4 Reg. 37(2)(b) substituted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.5) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/2139), regs. 1(1)(a), 27

F5 Words in reg. 37(2)(b) substituted (7.11.2017) by The Social Security and Child Support (Care Payments and Tenant Incentive Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/995), regs. 1, 2(2)(a)

F6 Words in reg. 37(2)(b) substituted (7.11.2017) by The Social Security and Child Support (Care Payments and Tenant Incentive Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/995), regs. 1, 2(2)(b)

F7 Words in reg. 37(2)(b) inserted (7.11.2017) by The Social Security and Child Support (Care Payments and Tenant Incentive Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/995), regs. 1, 2(2)(c)

F8 Reg. 37(2)(ba) inserted (7.11.2017) by The Social Security and Child Support (Care Payments and Tenant Incentive Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/995), regs. 1, 10(3)(a)

F9 Reg. 37(2)(c) added (23.8.1999) by The Social Security Amendment (Sports Awards) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/2165), regs. 1(1), 6(3)

F10 Reg. 37(3) inserted (7.11.2017) by The Social Security and Child Support (Care Payments and Tenant Incentive Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/995), regs. 1, 10(3)(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Reg. 37 applied (S.) (29.3.2004) by The Individual Learning Account (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (S.S.I. 2004/83), regs. 1(1), 3(9)

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 37 in force at 11.4.1988, see reg. 1

Calculation of net profit of self-employed earners E+W+S

38.—(1) For the purposes of regulation 30 (calculation of earnings of self-employed earners), the earnings of a claimant to be taken into account shall be—

(a) in the case of a self-employed earner who is engaged in employment on his own account, the net profit derived from that employment;

(b) in the case of a self-employed earner whose employment is carried on in partnership or is that of a share fisherman within the meaning of the Social Security (Mariners' Benefits) Regulations 1975F11 , his share of the net profit derived from that employment less—

(i) an amount in respect of income tax and of social security contributions payable under the Social Security Act calculated in accordance with regulation 39 (deduction of tax and contributions for self-employed earners); and

(ii) [F12 one half of any premium paid [F13 in the period that is relevant under regulation 30] in respect of F14 ... a personal pension scheme].

(2) There shall be disregarded from a claimant's net profit any sum, where applicable, specified in paragraphs 1 to 13 F15 ... of Schedule 8.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1) (a) the net profit of the employment shall, except where paragraph (9) applies, be calculated by taking into account the earnings of the employment over the period determined under regulation 30 (calculation of earnings of self-employed earners) less—

(a) subject to paragraphs (5) to (7), any expenses wholly and exclusively defrayed in that period for the purposes of that employment;

(b) an amount in respect of—

(i) income tax; and

(ii) social security contributions payable under the Social Security Act, calculated in accordance with regulation 39 (deduction of tax and contributions for self-employed earners); and

(c) [F12 one half of any premium paid [F16 in the period that is relevant under regulation 30] in respect of F17 ... a personal pension scheme].

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1) (b), the net profit of the employment shall be calculated by taking into account the earnings of the employment over the period determined under regulation 30 less, subject to paragraphs (5) to (7), any expenses wholly and exclusively defrayed in that period for the purposes of that employment.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), no deduction shall be made under paragraph (3) (a) or (4) in respect of—

(a) any capital expenditure;

(b) the depreciation of any capital asset;

(c) any sum employed or intended to be employed in the setting up or expansion of the employment;

(d) any loss incurred before the beginning of the period determined under regulation 30 (calculation of earnings of self-employed earners);

(e) the repayment of capital on any loan taken out for the purposes of the employment;

(f) any expenses incurred in providing business entertainment.

(6) A deduction shall be made under paragraph (3) (a) or (4) in respect of the repayment of capital on any loan used for—

(a) the replacement in the course of business of equipment or machinery; and

(b) the repair of an existing business asset except to the extent that any sum is payable under an insurance policy for its repair.

(7) [F18 The Secretary of State] shall refuse to make a deduction in respect of any expenses under paragraph (3) (a) or (4) where he is not satisfied that the expense has been defrayed or, having regard to the nature of the expense and its amount, that it has been reasonably incurred.

(8) For the avoidance of doubt—

(a) a deduction shall not be made under paragraph (3) (a) or (4) in respect of any sum unless it has been expended for the purposes of the business;

(b) a deduction shall be made thereunder in respect of—

(i) the excess of any VAT paid over VAT received in the period determined under regulation 30 (calculation of earnings of self-employed earners);

(ii) any income expended in the repair of an existing asset except to the extent that any sum is payable under an insurance policy for its repair;

(iii) any payment of interest on a loan taken out for the purposes of the employment.

(9) Where a claimant is engaged in employment as a child minder the net profit of the employment shall be one-third of the earnings of that employment, less—

(a) an amount in respect of—

(i) income tax; and

(ii) social security contributions payable under the Social Security Act, calculated in accordance with regulation 39 (deduction of tax and contributions for self-employed earners); and

(b) [F12 one half of any premium paid in respect of F19 ... a personal pension scheme].

(10) Notwithstanding regulation 30 (calculation of earnings of self-employed earners) and the foregoing paragraphs, [F20 the Secretary of State] may assess any item of a claimant's income or expenditure over a period other than that determined under regulation 30 as may, in the particular case, enable the weekly amount of that item of income or expenditure to be determined more accurately.

(11) For the avoidance of doubt where a claimant is engaged in employment as a self-employed earner and he is also engaged in one or more other employments as a self-employed or employed earner any loss incurred in any one of his employments shall not be offset against his earnings in any other of his employments.

F21 (12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F11 S.I. 1975/529.

F12 Words in reg. 38 substituted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/2119), regs. 1(1)(a), 13(2)

F13 Words in reg. 38(1)(b)(ii) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.5) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/2139), regs. 1(1)(a), 28

F14 Words in reg. 38(1)(b)(ii) omitted (16.7.2007) by virtue of The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1749), regs. 1, 2(3)

F15 Words in reg. 38(2) omitted (25.10.2004) by virtue of The Social Security (Back to Work Bonus and Lone Parent Run-on) (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1589), regs. 1(1), 2(c)

F16 Words in reg. 38(3)(c) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.5) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/2139), regs. 1(1)(a), 28

F17 Words in reg. 38(3)(c) omitted (16.7.2007) by virtue of The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1749), regs. 1, 2(3)

F18 Words in reg. 38(7) substituted (29.11.1999) by The Social Security Act 1998 (Commencement No. 12 and Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/3178), reg. 3(1)(a), Sch. 5 para. 2(a) (with reg. 3(1)(b), Schs. 21-23)

F19 Words in reg. 38(9)(b) omitted (16.7.2007) by virtue of The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1749), regs. 1, 2(3)

F20 Words in reg. 38(10) substituted (29.11.1999) by The Social Security Act 1998 (Commencement No. 12 and Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/3178), reg. 3(1)(a), Sch. 5 para. 2(b) (with reg. 3(1)(b), Schs. 21-23)

F21 Reg. 38(12) omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Income-related Benefits Schemes and Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/2303), regs. 1(1)(a), 6(3) (with reg. 8)

Commencement Information

I2 Reg. 38 in force at 11.4.1988, see reg. 1

Deduction of tax and contributions for self-employed earners E+W+S

39.—(1) The amount to be deducted in respect of income tax under regulation 38 (1) (b) (i), (3) (b) (i) or (9) (a) (i) (calculation of net profit of self-employed earners) shall be calculated on the basis of the amount of chargeable income and as if that income were assessable to income tax at F22 ... [F23 the basic rate [F24 , or in the case of a Scottish taxpayer, the Scottish basic rate,] of tax] less only the [F25 personal reliefs to which the claimant is entitled under Chapters 2, 3 and 3A of Part 3 of the Income Tax Act 2007 as are] appropriate to his circumstances; but, if the period determined under regulation 30 (calculation of earnings of self-employed earners) is less than a year, [F26 the earnings to which the [F27 [F28 basic] rate] [F29 , or the Scottish basic rate,] F30 ... of tax is to be applied and] the amount of the [F31 personal reliefs] deductible under this paragraph shall be calculated on a pro rata basis.

(2) The amount to be deducted in respect of social security contributions under regulation 38(1)(b)(i), (3)(b)(ii) or (9)(a)(ii) shall be the total of—

F32 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F33 (b) the amount of Class 4 contributions (if any) which would be payable under section 15 of that Act (Class 4 contributions recoverable under the Income Tax Acts) at the percentage rate applicable at the date of claim on so much of the chargeable income as exceeds the lower limit but does not exceed the upper limit of profits and gains applicable for the tax year in which the date of claim falls; but if the assessment period is less than a year, those limits shall be reduced pro rata.]

(3) In this regulation “chargeable income” means—

(a) except where sub-paragraph (b) applies, the earnings derived from the employment less any expenses deducted under paragraph (3) (a) or, as the case may be, (4) of regulation 38;

(b) in the case of employment as a child minder, one-third of the earnings of that employment.

Textual Amendments

F22 Words in reg. 39(1) omitted (6.4.2009) by virtue of The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/583), regs. 1(2), 2(7)(a)

F23 Words in reg. 39(1) substituted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/2155), regs. 1(1), 17(a)

F24 Words in reg. 39(1) inserted (6.4.2016) by The Social Security (Scottish Rate of Income Tax etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/233), regs. 1, 2(3)(a)

F25 Words in reg. 39(1) substituted (6.4.2016) by The Social Security (Scottish Rate of Income Tax etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/233), regs. 1, 2(3)(b)

F26 Words in reg. 39(1) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/2155), regs. 1(1), 17(b)

F27 Words in reg. 39(1) substituted (1.10.2007) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 5) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2618), regs. 1(1), 5(7)

F28 Word in reg. 39(1) substituted (6.4.2009) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/583), regs. 1(2), 2(7)(b)

F29 Words in reg. 39(1) inserted (6.4.2016) by The Social Security (Scottish Rate of Income Tax etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/233), regs. 1, 2(3)(c)

F30 Words in reg. 39(1) omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Income-related Benefits Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.5) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/2139), regs. 1(1)(a), 29

F31 Words in reg. 39(1) substituted (6.4.2016) by The Social Security (Scottish Rate of Income Tax etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/233), regs. 1, 2(3)(d)

F32 Reg. 39(2)(a) omitted (6.4.2024) by virtue of The Social Security (Class 2 National Insurance Contributions) (Consequential Amendments and Savings) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/377), regs. 1(1), 8(3) (with reg. 1(4))

F33 Reg. 39(2)(a)(b) substituted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Income-related Benefits Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/2119), regs. 1(1)(a), 14

Commencement Information

I3 Reg. 39 in force at 11.4.1988, see reg. 1