Unique tax Reference query

PlutoinCapricorn

The person who asked me for my UTR was the Finance Director and a full accountant so I assumed that she knew what she was doing: this was a while back and at the time I accepted her request for this proof of self assessment. I have been alarmed by suggestions on this forum that it should not be given to anyone, so am relieved to hear your news. After all, if you work for someone you need to hand over all kinds of information including NI NUmber.

However, this only solved some of your problems: evidence that you are self employed/self assess is one thing, whether the relationship that you have with this company falls within HMRC's rules for self employment is something else. Do you think that the company reallu understands this? Have you discussed it with your fellow workers?

minxtress

I spoke in length with a guy from HMRC about it and he said for all its the same with all companies who do same sort of thing that I am doing, its a very fine line to determine what is self employed and what isn't. There is a tool on thier website which I completed which said I was self employed but to be honest given the nature of my job a lot of it wasn't relevant but there was no way of getting past that specific question without answering yes or no, so I feel its still inconclusive.
A lot of colleagues are same as me, and question as to whether we can be dictated to, all be it loosely if we are self employed.

PlutoinCapricorn

A fine line is a good way of putting it: it makes you a borderline case I suppose!

Where self employment in general is concerned, I still think that it is best for people to make a considered, informed decision to be their own boss, as opposed to registering as SE because a company they apply to requests this. If all their work is done as a SE person, they should be happy to do without sick and holiday pay and to allow for the effect that not paying Class 1 NI will have on their benefits and pension. The rewards should be higher rates of pay and more freedom and flexibility.

Where a particular assignment is concerned, they may be expected to abide by similar rules as an employee would, but this should have been agreed in advance, and the SE person should be happy to do this. When SE people offer their services on a freelance basis, they usually negotiate terms with the client on a basis of equality. You have mentioned being dictated to, and being expected to work very long hours. If you had the choice, would you prefer to be full employee or to have the advantages of a typical self employed person?