The Mystery Shopping thread - part 6

Becles

Happy New Year everyone and best wishes for 2009 :cool:

ruthiejane

Happy New Year to everyone - here's to lots of easy, well paying jobs in 2009!!

tizzy79

Happy New Year. Hope you have a fab year ahead in 2009!!!

jobbingmusician

Scaredy_Cat wrote: »

Am I correct in thinking, however, that we can file the return sooner if we want to? I'm one of those (sad) people who worry about forms and stuff and really want it over and done with. I anticipate receiving the form in March/April and then being able to submit it as soon as I have all the required info. That's the way I used to do it - but that was years ago, before we had the internet and online submissions.

As previously stated and AFAIK you can file your return any time from April 2009 onwards.

However, although I tend to agree with you in theory that it is good to get the forms in early, I feel bound as a conscientious MSEr to point out that the later you leave it, the more the Inland Revenue are giving you an interest free loan on whatever money you end up owing them.

Ideally, do all your preparation for your return - you can even complete the online form (I would strongly advise that you do it online as it is so easy and you will see clearly what you owe - and be able to make adjustments if you realise that you seem to owe a silly amount ) but don't submit it until mid January. Make sure you put 25% of your earnings into a high interest account so you have plenty of spare cash to pay the bill. I would not advise leaving submitting your final accounts until 31st Jan as the Revenue website is overloaded at that time and it can be scary leaving until the last minute if any part of your computer system, or their site, starts playing up. I have heard of people who have been unable to file their accounts by midnight on 31st due to site or computer problems and were fined £100 as a result (I don't know whether anyone appealed successfully).

On the other hand, if the Revenue owe YOU money, file ASAP so that you are not giving them an interest free loan..........

PS Happy New Year to all.

tizzy79

Has anyone had any problems with the self assign on BARE? I have passed the quiz and the system is saying my code is invalid. I have emailed them but they are not back in the office till Monday.

egeorgm

due to a mixture of me being away for a while and moving and living in a shared house, i've only just receieved my bill for national insurance which is due by Saturday as that is 28 days after the date said, so I only have tomorrow to pay it, however it says allow 3 working days - which I haven't had! - so which is the best way to ensure they get it on time, can you pay direct on the phone or is post office the best??

Money_Maker_Shaker

egeorgm wrote: »

due to a mixture of me being away for a while and moving and living in a shared house, i've only just receieved my bill for national insurance which is due by Saturday as that is 28 days after the date said, so I only have tomorrow to pay it, however it says allow 3 working days - which I haven't had! - so which is the best way to ensure they get it on time, can you pay direct on the phone or is post office the best??

I delayed paying my NI bill as I was debating going down the small earnings exemption route, anyways I've now decided I don't want to be exempt so phoned them to explain why I was late. In fact I'm back about 3 months late and the lady in the NI office wasn't bothered in the slightest, just told me to wait for the next bill and they would automatically add the outstanding amount onto that. So looks like NI deadlines are much more laid back than tax ones!

Peridot1

Happy new year everyone_party_

I have just changed my mobile number but I dont know how to inform Retail Maxim, does anyone have a number or email address I could contact them with?

Thanks Peridot

Scaredy_Cat_3

jobbingmusician wrote: »

As previously stated and AFAIK you can file your return any time from April 2009 onwards.

However, although I tend to agree with you in theory that it is good to get the forms in early, I feel bound as a conscientious MSEr to point out that the later you leave it, the more the Inland Revenue are giving you an interest free loan on whatever money you end up owing them.

Ideally, do all your preparation for your return - you can even complete the online form (I would strongly advise that you do it online as it is so easy and you will see clearly what you owe - and be able to make adjustments if you realise that you seem to owe a silly amount ) but don't submit it until mid January. Make sure you put 25% of your earnings into a high interest account so you have plenty of spare cash to pay the bill. I would not advise leaving submitting your final accounts until 31st Jan as the Revenue website is overloaded at that time and it can be scary leaving until the last minute if any part of your computer system, or their site, starts playing up. I have heard of people who have been unable to file their accounts by midnight on 31st due to site or computer problems and were fined £100 as a result (I don't know whether anyone appealed successfully).

On the other hand, if the Revenue owe YOU money, file ASAP so that you are not giving them an interest free loan..........

PS Happy New Year to all.

Thanks! Just to clarify things - and I do hope I'm not being overly naive here. My understanding is that am allowed to earn in the region of 5k (can't remember the exact figure) before I am expected to pay Tax. My best estimate is that over a year I will earn around £1800, so I won't be paying Tax anyway. I have no other income except child benefit and Tax Credit.

I can't see the Tax Man owing me any money as I don't pay Tax so any loss I make is my problem, and nothing to do with them.

I've applied for the NI exemption since I won't be earning enough and I'm 'covered' for this period anyway because I have young (ish) children.

Hence, my feeling is that there is no benefit in delaying and I'd rather just get the forms in so I can stop worrying about them!

I do appreciate your advice, it gives a good insight into the pros and cons, but I think in my case there is nothing to be gained by delaying. Please let me know if I'm missing something.

skintbuthappy81

I'm glad it's not just me confused with this tax malarky. I have decided to do MS after reading several items about it, however this won't be on a regular basis as I have a full time job, so it will just be when I have free time (in other words, not a lot) I have looked on the Inland Revenues website and am a bit confused... would this class as a second income even though it will be a rare occurence? and if so will they just deduct 20% as and when I carry out the assignments? Hope someone can enlighten me.