Census Jobs

beckythemadcow

NonGeographicalMan wrote: »

It should be 45p per mile since 6th April as the rate for the first 10,000 miles per annum was increased in this year's budget. If ONS only pays 40p then you are entitled to offset 5p per mile against your earnings on your tax return.

I have never done a tax return before... How would I go about this?

dou_jyr

em80 wrote: »

I don't think you can do the same street you live in or close by it.

exactly. so how can you be given the ED you live in?

given the weather forecast today i think a whole day off is in order!

em80

dou_jyr wrote: »

exactly. so how can you be given the ED you live in?

given the weather forecast today i think a whole day off is in order!

It's made up of 3 areas

andyroberts1967

I've not been allocated the ED in which I live, but it is only a five minute walk or a one minute drive to the closest ED to me, and the furthest ED away from my house is less than two miles, so it's all pretty compact, but then I do live in Southend on Sea which is a large town. TBH I would hate the rural ones, and I've managed very well doing most of mine on foot.
Regarding the route planning, paperwork etc, I've been doing all of that before and after collections, and I certainly count all that towards my time. My co-ordinator is very laid back but helpful, and I'm sure that as long as we are knocking on doors and getting forms back then he's going to be more than happy.
Once you've done the whole round once, the second visits seem a breeze as you only have to visit the N's for second visits, all of which I am leaving cards now. I guess it will be more of a concentration on fewer households as we enter Phase 2, whenever that is!!
Overall I'm really enjoying the job, loving the exercise and enjoying meeting people. Let's hope the weather holds out till May. It's actually ok today here in Essex.

Kate78

^ Yes, we get our new workload today, our co-ordinator said that we might not get the same EDs as last week.

This week should be a bit lighter in terms of addresses as more will be ticked off, and I suspect more repeat visits to N houses.

Phase 2 will have fewer houses to visit still, but more paperwork as we have to fill in a dummy form for every N house, so that will account for our working time I reckon.

Happy days

dou_jyr

em80 wrote: »

It's made up of 3 areas

really? i thought an ED was the quantum size area and wasn't subdivided.

dou_jyr

Kate78 wrote: »

we get our new workload today

we were due to, but my coord's printer has run out of toner, and central office have run out of replacements! :rotfl: and they've seen fit to use some strange make of printer so you can't just go down to WHSmiths and get a replacement! :T

ex-dmp

Finally got final offer email which I have responded to.

Should start today if I get the phone call.

With regards to mileage, do keep a daily record of mileage, reason for and where you have been , in case you need to claim from HRMC as mentioned in previous posts.

HRMC sometimes challenge claims and you will need evidence if, in the unlikely event, being called for interview etc.

wolvesinwales

I had an easy 1st week most addresses in town and lots in the same streets, a nightmare this week in out lying villages where you can go for miles and not see a house and when you get there there is no name or number ! In 6 hours yesterday i only got to speak to 1 person.

NonGeographicalMan

beckythemadcow wrote: »

I have never done a tax return before... How would I go about this?

You can always ask HMRC (formerly Inland Revenue) to let you complete one if they have any money they owe you (for instance on taxed deposit savings for non taxpayers etc) but if you are driving say 800 miles for the Census then you probably won't consider its worth it for the £40 in tax you might get back. I was really musing if the mileage rate from ONS had already gone up to 45p per mile as the government now allows them to pay this tax free up to 10,000 miles per annum.

I still have to fill out a tax return with an income of only about £2,000 per annum from savings even though I haven't been working for several years. If you ever used to have self employed income or used to pay 40% tax they always suspect you might be going to do so again. If you have always been a PAYE person they seem to assume your tax affairs have always been simple. I think that is how they miss so much tax from trades people who are paid PAYE and then do other untaxed and unvatted work on the side. Legally they should be declaring this but as HMRC haven't sent them a return to fill out they seem to find it easier to square with their conscience failing to declare the income for tax and/or VAT..............