Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
I was assigned SIC and performing PF duties. During Preflight activities I took care of customer service; greeted passengers; brought them to plane etc. The PIC was performing PNF duties; obtaining ATC Clearance and cockpit set up. After ensuring passengers were taken care of; I then went to the flight deck and sat down fastened my safety belt in the left seat. The PIC had already obtained the departure clearance and set up the cockpit for departure to include the flight instruments with an initial assigned altitude of 16;000 feet. I was not present on the flight deck when clearance was received; read back to ATC; and confirmation of correct read back from ATC. The PIC briefed the flight plan; we reviewed the FMS; and I was briefed 16;000 feet as our initial assigned altitude. We departed PIE normally; thunderstorms were in the vicinity. The PIC attempted to check in 3 times with ATC before successfully making contact on the 4th attempt. We were climbing through 12;600 feet to what we believed was our assigned altitude of 16;000 feet. ATC immediately told us to descend to 12;000. We complied with that instruction and descended to 12;000 feet. At no time did I observe on TCAS an aircraft within 5NM of our aircraft. We did not get a TA or RA event. ATC requested we contact them after we land at our destination. We called ATC. We discussed event with Controller. Controller had informed us that he had reviewed the event prior to us calling. Twice in the conversation he stated that we (Pilots of Aircraft X) did nothing wrong. He believed PIE Tower may have missed correct read back of Initial ATC clearance.Suspect miscommunication of initial ATC clearance departing PIE. Without being present when clearance was obtained from ATC; I cannot confirm with 100% certainty. Other factors to be considered should take into consideration the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and how this has affected all aviation operations. Both the PIC and myself haven't flown in over two months. This was our first trip back in just less than 90 days. Controller from ATC also briefly addressed the affects COVID-19 was having on ATC personal in our conversation. I understood from Controller that many ATC personal were working in unfamiliar duty positions; new sectors etc.; i.e. recognition that ATC personal; operations have been strained over the past few months due to COVID-19 issues.Recognition that many ATC personnel and pilots are working in somewhat strained conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to maintain vigilance in regards to attention to detail; recognition of distractors that may degrade or impede performance. Keep focus on tasks at hand.
Air carrier First Officer reported a miscommunication problem with TPA TRACON resulting in an altitude deviation and attributed it partly due to not flying because of COVID-19.