Can i work??

nuttymummy

hi guys!

it would be great im someone could answer this question for me

my OH works full time, and im a stay at home mum.
we arent entitled to working tax credit, but we get child benefit and child tax credit.

i make celebration cakes/wedding cakes etc but only charge for ingredients as it was just a hobby, but now im getting more n more in demand, and wondering if i could turn it into a part time stay at home job?

my question is....how much am i allowed to earn a year without it affecting the benefits i already claim, and would i have to pay any tax?

sorry if thats obvious, but i just dont understand all these benefits n rules! thanks xx

xnatalie81x

Have a play around on www.entitledto.com - i know it is probably obvious but you will need to register for self-employed assessment but it is not mega difficult and can all be done on-line and if you earn under your tax threshold it will come out to 0 anyway.

Well done on building a business though xx - and i think you should do it as it is a good time to start building for when the kids are at school

nuttymummy

thank-you so much natalie, ill have a look at that now xxx

AnxiousMum

Well done on creating a success there! If you are providing food though - you will need to (even if you are only charging for ingredients!) get your kitchen checked out for being fit to cook in for your business. If you are 'selling' cakes - you may also need insurance - as you could lose your shirt if someone decided to sue after getting salmonella or some such (cream, eggs, contact from other products such as chicken via a cutting board, knife etc.)

If you have a business at home though, there may be other things that you can write off as a cost of running your business from home as well, which will take care of any of the extra costs involved above.

LondonDiva

Why not start your business and look to build it up so you don't need to claim?

[Deleted User]

your kitchen would need to come upto enviromental health standards if you are using it in this way,you may also have to inform the council re:business rates,you would have to inform your mortgage lender and as above get the relevant insurance.

nuttymummy

anxious mum, thanks! i never thought about that...seems like alot of hard work! LOL

londondiva, in the position i live in no-one can really afford to pay too much for cakes, and to make a real business from it id be making cakes round the clock...meaning i couldnt look after the kids. also if i was full time i still wouldnt earn enough for us to live off properly without the benefits. working part-time seems to be the best option as i can still keep my eye on the kids...one goes to nursery for 3 hours a day, my other one is only 8 months old, so i cant really do fulltime just yet xx

woodbine i didnt realize it would be this 'messy' LOL i think i may have given up before i have started n keep it as a hobby !! xx