Avon Hints and Tips (Part 2)

lozza1985

I can't give you much advice as I signed up with an ASM and so therefore don't have a SL, but I would have thought it you couldn't get hold of your SL/had problems with them, then surely you should be able to contact you ASM?

On an un-related note, just rung the tax office to register as self-employed and it literally took 2 minutes lol! Getting forms sent in the post for a small earnings exemption certificate so that I don't pay National Insurance again (I already work full-time) and being sent details/having a phone call from a local tax office regarding a free half day course where they help show you how to keep records, and what things you can off-set as costs Definately worth doing I reckon!

echo

cheers.was gonna email avon to check but then they'd ask too many questions and i didn't want anybody to get into trouble.yea i would've thought i could contact my ASM ( not that i really want to!!!!) but she even told me that i shouldn't have been given her number.maybe somebody will read this later on and give me more info.

lozza1985

I'm sure someone will be along soon with better advice, there is a few SL on here

ellejay156

hi Lozza,

I did mine online which is the first part and they say they will send you all the forms out.

I was also amazed at what you can claim back as expenses. You can claim back part of your rent/mortgage payment as you work from home, also gas and electric bills. You need to work out the % of how much time you do AVON (or whatever) I estimate mine at aroung 5%. Not too much but it works out at around £40.00 per month I can offset. Check out the HMRC website as there are loads of other little bits that you can offset when you work from home so you do not have to pay tax. You may even get money back (i know someone who has).

Elle XxX

lozza1985

That would be great if I could offset that much per month as then I would probably not have to pay anything lol I've already been through my invoices and highlighted anything that was bought for freebies (and myself on the basis that I could say I demonstrate the products!) which has already brought the earnings down a lot, and still got receipts to go through for envelopes, ink, pens etc so will be less again

ellejay156

To be honest with you you very very very rarely will have to proove what you have submitted.

You will fill in your tax return probably online, and as long as your figures are not redicilouse. E.g income £500 expenses £7,000. you get my drift. you do have to retain your receipts and things for 6 years as they can investigate you up untill that point but I do not know any self employed person who is investigated by HMRC, they do not have the time to bother with little people like us when there are big companies out there.

I am not in anyway saying put fictional figures or that it is impossible you will be asked to provide back up (just extreamly rare) (i am an accountant and I could loose my qualification if I did that). but what I am saying is that if you are honest and realistic there is no need to pay that much tax providing you follow the expenses rules that are layed out on the HMRC website. And be consistant with each return. And it is possible to get a tax rebate.

I know a few taxi drivers who pay very little income tax and that is their full time job. But by the time they have offset what they can they do not owe anything or very little.

lozza1985

I wouldn't want to invent figures (OH might have other ideas though lol), and as you say it is very likely an investigation would occur - but even if they did, very difficult for them to prove what I have/haven't demonstrated to customers, and since they are bought from Avon I doubt they would go round questioning my Mum etc lol Definately want to avoid paying any tax, or paying as little as possible, as this extra income from Avon is proving extremely useful. Especially since my work isn't giving a bonus or pay rise this year, and it is doubtful there will be a bonus next year either. The bonuses are never massive, only a few hundred pounds, but it obviously comes in very useful and we had been planning on using it to pay the remaining balance of our holiday.

But Avon has done that for us It has also paid for our kitten to have his "bits" off lol

gettingthereslowly

Just sent my email off for the car or £100 incentive. Address was on C6 invoice and had to say how I got my extra customers and hit my target. Should now get a couple of free samples.

Had a couple of returns to put in so will have to box them up ready. Picking up 16 books from territory tomorrow so hoping for a few orders as very quiet at the moment. Still a week yet before I have to submit so hopefully will get a couple of last minute ones xx

princess_loki

hello all!

well i have been really busy and re-canvassed my whole area! got a few new customers but have found that existing ones are not ordering as much!!

with regards to the recession busting flyers - i have found a use for them - get more customers! i didn't give them to existing customers i used them for re-canvassing the area. they are small so people are more likely to flick through them - i got two new customers from them. i didn't even bag them just stapled an order form inside

just a little question - are there two levels for comission? i know that you have to get £75+ to begin with but do you get more comission if you sell more (if you see what i mean?).

i am now up to £150.00 so far for camp 6!!

hippy-chicy

Yes there are two levels 21% on orders over £78 and 25% on orders over £148