Tax Return for mystery shopping - This can't be right!

FatAndy

Can you be a self employed mystery shopper?

Presumably you get told where to go and when and get paid a set 'wage' for any work done?

Personally I would think that a mystery shopper would be an employee, but then again I've done it myself.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/employment-status/index.htm#1

glider3560

FatAndy wrote: »

Can you be a self employed mystery shopper?

Presumably you get told where to go and when and get paid a set 'wage' for any work done?

Personally I would think that a mystery shopper would be an employee, but then again I've done it myself.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/employment-status/index.htm#1

A few companies used to take you on as an employee and taxed you on PAYE, but almost all are now on a self-employed basis where no tax is deducted at source.

mrkbrrws

FatAndy wrote: »

Can you be a self employed mystery shopper?

Presumably you get told where to go and when and get paid a set 'wage' for any work done?

Personally I would think that a mystery shopper would be an employee, but then again I've done it myself.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/employment-status/index.htm#1

I think the income is a fixed amount, irrelevant of the time and expense you may incur in doing the task. Also I would imagine you are under no obligation to take any particular assignment, and the mystery shopping company may not be under any obligation to give you work.

Without knowing any more, it does point to self-employment. Having said that, I agree that anyone who is starting out doing MS or a few surveys should wait until they have actually earned a material amount before they bother registering as self-employed.