Maternity Pay & Own Business

Jvic28

Hi All,

I hope I can make this clear. Also, not sure if it's in the best place so feel free to move.

I'm trying to develop my own business. Not sure if its gonna work so just trialling some ideas at the moment. (In fact, I've only had my 1st very low paying customer today).

I also work full time and am doing this on the side.

Obviously, providing things look promising and I decide to roll out the business I will register myself as a sole trader and sort out tax stuff etc but will continue to work alongside. (No idea how these things work but will look into that as I go along)

I'm due to go on Maternity leave in June and wondered if anyone knew where I stood with carrying on with this business. Does it cause any problems carrying on with this business whilst also receiving Maternity Pay from my full time job?

Thanks for reading.

J

Becles

You can't "trial a business". If you have had a paying customer, you are now trading and need to register as self employed. You need to register within three months of your business start date, otherwise they may fine you for not registering promptly.

If you are claiming SMP from your full time job, it's fine to work on the business in a self employed capacity.

However if you are claiming MA from your full time job, then you cannot do any work at all regardless of if it is PAYE or self employed.

Jvic28

Excellent, thank you. Any ideas which website is best for finding this information. I'll also get myself registered as self employed ASAP. Lets hope the 77p so far grows into much more eh?

Becles

www.hmrc.gov.uk

Read the section on self employment. There's masses of info on there, so make a cuppa first

The people on the self employed helpine are really lovely and will guide you through registering. I got a folder with lots of information in too, and details of courses in my area on various business aspects like accounting and marketing.

Jvic28

Thanks. Is there also information on there about claiming SMP and working self employed on top?

Xandersmum

Hi Jvic,

I was in the same boat as you - had started a little ebay shop but didn't want to compromise my SMP, so I knew the link was out there somewhere as it took me ages to get a black and white answer!!

'If you do any work in a self-employed capacity during your MPP, then such work will not affect your SMP.' This is taken from the DWP website - Will PM you the full link as I'm a newbie and can't post it!!

Good luck with it all - I don't get as much time as I would like with my now 8 month old angel, but made me a bit of nappy money and kept the wolf from the door:rotfl:

max2009

Jvic28 wrote: »

Lets hope the 77p so far grows into much more eh?

It may only be 77p but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Jvic28

Xandersmum wrote: »

'If you do any work in a self-employed capacity during your MPP, then such work will not affect your SMP.' This is taken from the DWP website - Will PM you the full link as I'm a newbie and can't post it!!

Thanks. That's exactly what I was after.

Wish me luck x

Becles

Good luck!

There's also a big manual with all the SMP and MA rules in on the DWP site somewhere. I read it when I was pregnant and wasn't sure if I would get MA or not.