Starting a new business whilst on maternity leave

mrsdumplin

Are there any Tax experts out there?
I am hoping you can give me some advice, I've tralled the internet and cant find the answer...
I have a full time job, I am now on SMP.....plan to go back to work when this runs out beginning of June ( if my sums are correct!)
I have the opportunity to start my own business working form home. Selling greeting cards...its like Avon but with cards....we've set it up in both hubby and my name...just in case its a problem me doing anything whilst I'm on SMP...
What if any impact does this have on my SMP....I doubt we will make very much profit (if any) between now and June...
also
We've yet to register as self employed.....as I'm not sure whats the best to do...
In both our names...( not sure how the tax works out for that)
In my name..I'm a higher level tax payer
In hubbys name - he's normal tax payer...
Should we do it one way till June and then change it????
Any advice welcomed !
Thanks

jen_br

YOU CAN NOT work if your on SMP.. .unless your self employed and getting SMA you are able to go to work for z amount of hours... as a check in day.

you will have to wait until your smp runs out or stop your smp.

chrisbur

Doing self-employed work while recieving SMP is okay, working for an employer is when you would usually have to stop getting SMP.

From http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/ni17a-a-guide-to-maternity/statutory-maternity-pay-smp/working-in-your-maternity-pay/

Working in your Maternity Pay Period

If you are getting SMP from one employer and, before your baby is born, you do some work for another employer, your SMP is not affected.
Your SMP will stop if after the baby is born but before the end of the Maternity Pay Period, you work for an employer who did not employ you in the qualifying week. It is your responsibility to tell the employer paying you SMP about your new job. You must do this as soon as possible, and make sure you return any SMP payment you get that covers the week you started work and any part of the period after you resumed work.
If you do any work in a self-employed capacity during your MPP, then such work will not affect your SMP.

mrsdumplin

Thank you for finding that.

xx

laurenjs88

Does the same rule apply for MA?