house extension plans

vsumouse

hi all,

heres my problem.
i have been working in the construction industry for over 8 years now and have progressed onto becoming a draughtsman in the last few years,
i am always getting asked if i will produce house extension plans for planning permission, i have always refused these offers as im not sure where i stand with the taxing and vat side if things.
i work a 9-5 as a draughtsman and think if i take on these projects i could fit them into my own time,
and could do them at home if i was to start drawing plans up for people but how do i declair my 2nd income.
also i m not sure how much to charge people and what the going rate is for someone to draw up plans fo a house extension.
i have done the research into what plans need sending where and know once (if) i start this i can make a go of it and who knows if it gets busy i can maybe do this full time.
so if anyone has any prices they have been quoted for this type of work and info on taxes they think will help me i would be very gratefull.

Savvy_Sue

The tax bit is easy: phone your local HMRC office and explain that you are thinking of doing some freelance work as well as your regular job, they'll explain how to register as Self-Employed, and away you go ...

You'll have to do a tax return each year on which you'll declare both your employed income and your s/e income. As you'll be liable to pay tax on the s/e income at 22% (unless you're a 40% payer or likely to be one with the additional income!) then put 1/4 of your s/e earnings aside to cover this.

There are some things you'll be able to deduct from your s/e earnings but that's outside my area of expertise, as is the rest of your post ... Hope someone else can be intelligent about that bit!