Going Self-employed, advice.

[Chuck]

My thoughts exactly. No wonder I hate my job.

You need to get yourself an accountant. One that specialises in small businesses. I've always found that their advice pays for itself. They should also be able to take you through the basics of how to get your paperwork and contracts right so you don't get stiffed by reluctant payers.

Back in the day, local colleges used to run 'starting your own small business' evening classes, which were often very good. Worth investigating whether these still happen and whether there's one near you.

 

[Mranon1989]

You need to get yourself an accountant. One that specialises in small businesses. I've always found that their advice pays for itself. They should also be able to take you through the basics of how to get your paperwork and contracts right so you don't get stiffed by reluctant payers.

Back in the day, local colleges used to run 'starting your own small business' evening classes, which were often very good. Worth investigating whether these still happen and whether there's one near you.

That’s really helpful thanks for that.

I’ll definitely look into it, in the mean time I’ve been doing my own research into being SE.

Am I legally bound to register with CIS? Does my employer have to if he insists I go SE?

 

[rpm]

Double post.

 

[rpm]

It may have changed but you couldn`t be SE and only work for one company before and the employer can`t insist anything other than to terminate your employment.

 

[Mranon1989]

Yeah I read somewhere that from your self assessment they look to see if your invoices are to the same person and from that they tell you your not SE.

Yeah but I’m order for me to remain earning money I need to play ball because I can’t just jump ship to another firm due to my commitments.

 

[Pickwickpick]

It may have changed but you couldn`t be SE and only work for one company before and the employer can`t insist anything other than to terminate your employment.

To be honest in real life they don't seem to do anything about it and actually more than that, I'd say HMRC are complicit in the spread of bogus self employment as they have the powers to clamp down on it but refuse to do so.

Had a mate who worked for years on a contract for a a firm that subcontracted to one of the big delivery firms. His boss turned round to all of the drivers a couple of years back and gave them the option of either going self employed or loosing their work altogether. This fails every one of the HMRC's self employment tests and is a dodge so the boss doesn't have to pay employers NI, pension contributions... both my mate and a number of other drivers have informed the HMRC and they refuse to do anything about it.

Sorry rant over, on a more helpful note, here is a checklist that can act as I guide to determine if you would be genuinely self employed or not:

Employment status checklist - RossMartin.co.uk/