Delivering phonebooks - one off - pay tax?

zippy1997

Newbie question.

I'm thinking of taking a one-off job of delivering phone books in the local area in August, but just wanted to check the tax situation out first. It's all a mystery to me so thought this was the best place to ask!
The payment for a weeks work would be about £150, I haven't worked full or part time for 2 years and am a 'housewife'. After reading the HMRC website it appears I can register online but does that mean I have to self assess every year from now on even though this was a one-off job? Would I have to tell them when I start the job and then when I finish it (within about a week!) or just tell them the dates afterwards?
I don't want to skip the system if I need to pay but am worried about the paperwork involved (if any) and getting it wrong.

Any other info I should know? Thanks in advance.

LittleVoice

You could notify them after the event.

And you may decide against doing the work. If £150 is what you would get for one week, work out how much you would be spending on petrol to transport the directories and wear and tear on your vehicle (they weigh a lot and you would either do a lot of journeys or need a van to start with). Then decide whether it is worth it.

Mojisola

If you are going to earning less than your personal allowance, do you need to register?

isitenough

Many thanks. That was what I was wondering Mojisola. I don't have any other income.

Torby

Mojisola wrote: »

If you are going to earning less than your personal allowance, do you need to register?

I would have thought the answer to that one is "yes", but I'm sure a tax expert will be along soon

dzug1

Don't forget you will have to insure your van/car for business use.

If this is your only income in the year then the taxman is NOT going to be interested. In fact he would thank you for NOT telling him (if he could) as it will save him unnecessary work.

isitenough

I was just searching for this type of answer! Any other views?

fengirl_2

I concur with dzug1. The only reason to register is if you are in on-going self employment. This one off payment will not make you liable to tax and you need not declare it. HMRC will thank you for not doing so.

kitty1801

If this is only a 'one off' period of work, you should still contact HMRC to advise them of the income. You may not need to register as self employed but you will need to declare the income, regardless of whether tax is due on it or not.

If you do not declare taxable income, HMRC may see it as a compliance issue and could take it further.