The Mystery Shopping Thread - X

annasbee

Just sorting my spreadsheet and I have a question (prob a stupid one but here goes)
If I am paid A for doing a job and have to spend B on food leaving a balance of C do I declare A for tax purposes or C.
Bit of a quiz question!
Im just trying to work out if I can claim tax relief for the cost of the food I ate doing the job or whether I have to pay tax on the cost of it.
(Does that make sense?)
Anna x

catwoman150

ukmonkey wrote: »

Guys, I had a call from my local tax office's advice team today. Apparently they do courses for self-employed people and people. I've had a look online and found this:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/bst/index.htm

Specifically this: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/event?topicId=1073858808&r.lc=en&r.s=el

I thought this may interest some of you.

Interesting
Which would be the best course to ask for, and do you have to pay for these?

look_after_the_pennies

TractorGirl327 wrote: »

It's like rain on your wedding day
A free ride when you've already paid :T

And ... not gloating or anything ... but I've just checked that everything is entered into my spreadsheet, my diary is updated, and I've reconciled my bank account. I am waiting for over £600 in payments to come in - blimmin well need it with (1) Dad's 75th birthday (2) Son's 6th birthday (3) Our 10th wedding anniversary (4) Daughters 9th birthday and (5) a little thing called Christmas!

Oh and we've got 2 weekends away before Xmas as well - we're going to Southwold in Suffolk at Half term, and to Centerparcs for our anniversary/Megan's birthday weekend so I'm hoping that Gap release the coffee jobs in good time - there are at least 2 if not 3 coffee shops at Centerparcs!!!

Hi Tractorgirl,

If you're going to the Centre parcs in Suffolk, RE have the restaurant assignments for them. Maybe worthwhile contacting RE and letting them know you're going!

ukmonkey

catwoman150 wrote: »

Interesting
Which would be the best course to ask for, and do you have to pay for these?

She recommended the "self assessment" one and one other, something about starting out/becoming self employed.

They're free of charge.

mharzuk

annasbee wrote: »

Just sorting my spreadsheet and I have a question (prob a stupid one but here goes)
If I am paid A for doing a job and have to spend B on food leaving a balance of C do I declare A for tax purposes or C.
Bit of a quiz question!
Im just trying to work out if I can claim tax relief for the cost of the food I ate doing the job or whether I have to pay tax on the cost of it.
(Does that make sense?)
Anna x

AFAIK If you need to assess the food (product) as part of the MS shop then it is part of your expenses and therefore tax deductable e.g. was the pizza edible. If the food is not assessed but you need to make a purchase as part of the assessment (customer service at the tills) then it is also an expense so is tax deductable (because you cannot assess the service without making a purchase). However HMRC do say if you get to keep the product then it is "payment in kind" and should be included as part of the fee.
I'm sure our resident tax expert will be along soon to give us all a better answer. Or if anyone is going to a free course on tax matters they may ask this question and get the info added to the first page

Beckfordbaby

Miss_Qwerty wrote: »

Ooh, i'm getting slightly dizzy watching that!

Looks like cheques from ESA are winging their way to us, my last month's assignment is now showing as being paid.

ESA pay monthly by BAC, usually in your bank on 9th of the month

josie

glitterjunkie wrote: »

Hey everyone, hope you're all happily MS'ing away!

I've got a bit of a dilemma - any help appreciated! I live and work in Town A, and usually do all my MS'ing here. However I've recently started a new course at uni in Town B, 70 miles away (140 mile round trip). It's only 1 day a week so I'm still living at home in Town A, just commuting to Town B on a Wednesday to go to my classes and coming home again that night. I'm going to try and do the odd MS job while I'm in Town B - not many, just the odd burger or sandwich so I can have a free lunch. My question is, how should I declare this for tax? Can I put 140 miles as my mileage for those jobs, or is that just ridiculous? I don't live in Town B, and I do have to travel those 140 miles to get there and do whatever MS I'm doing, and pay for petrol etc - but obviously I'm only doing the MS because I'm going there for uni anyway, not the other way round!

It would make a brilliant paper loss if I could count it but just a bit worried that if the tax people ever do ask to see my spreadsheets, would they question why I'm travelling 140 miles for a burger?! lol. Any advice appreciated x

Any advice appreciated!

You'd be on very dodgy ground, trying to claim the whole lot every time, especially as with just a handful of jobs, you'd soon be into HMRC owing you money!

I really don't think we should be advocating anything else via this board.

josie

ukmonkey wrote: »

I once did 10 in the same day (or was it 11, hmm...).

I did have to be at the first one literally minutes after they opened though, and the pressure was intense during the late afternoon. I did it though, and got good scores on my reports. I took notes throughout, and filled in the reports (that I'd printed out) in between jobs so I didn't forget stuff, or get mixed up.

You're gonna have a huge job sorting out all your info for your tax

Get your own spreadsheet started now!!!

Or if it's too complicated for ya, try mine :rotfl:

PS, lovin those smileys TG - can you tell?!?

Miss_Qwerty

Beckfordbaby wrote: »

ESA pay monthly by BAC, usually in your bank on 9th of the month

Oh, does the first post need changing then, I was going by that...

look_after_the_pennies

Purely for selfish reasons, I'm glad there wasn't an upload of RE jobs last night as I was enjoying a very tasty pub meal courtesy of Ms'ing!! Bagged myself two airport jobs from the upload today for the weekend as am having a girlie weekend away.