Mystery Shopping Thread 20 **PLEASE DO NOT MENTION CLIENT NAMES OR FEES ON HERE**

dazza.mk

marvellousaunt wrote: »

Please don't hate me... a question regarding the recording of profit against reimbursements, picking up the conversation over the last couple of pages... seeking clarification if I may.

Example 1:
(Gap) Petrol Assignments
eg £x reimbursement, £y spend required on petrol. (Inevitably y > x).

I was under the impression that seeing as I HAD to spend at least £y as dictated by the job notes, and I was buying this specific purchase with the sole purpose of receiving £x income, that £y was then classed as an expense. Am I interpreting your conversation correcting by saying that because I then go onto USE and BENEFIT from this £y amount of petrol, it is therefore NOT deductable?

Example 2:
Any number of food assignments, for reimbursement + fee.

Let's say, for the sake of argument, that the reimbursement exactly covers the spend on the food. My argument would be that I would certainly not buy this food if not for the fee, and to be honest, yes I do do these jobs for the small fee. I do a number at a time, on the way back from work, and I find a little goes a long way. I specifically have to buy a certain product in order to get the fee. I do not benefit from eating in a certain burger place whatsoever! The vast majority of the time I sample the food, only, for the purposes of the survey. In this instance, would the FEE only be taxable?

(Sorry, I would go on the other site you mention to look at their discussion but it says no free addresses and I don't have a non g mail or hot mail account...)

Any advice would be helpful so I can get the accounts sorted. Thanks!

Example 1:
But the job is reimbursement only, as such you are doing it for the petrol, so you can't argue that the 'benefit' from the petrol is incidental to the purchase, as its the sole reason for the purchase (you could argue that the shop purchase is incidental to gettingthe benefit of the petrol however so is allowable).

Example 2:
Yes, as the benefit from the food/burgers are only incidental to gaining the fee - as with everything as long as you don't take the mickey (ie try and claim a massive purchase at the supermarket where you are given a minimal reimbursement)

lalli_pickle

'D just like to point out that HMRC do have to complete a number of random checks on self assessment as well as ones targeted at high risk tax returns so you may get looked at even though you've done nothing wrong

cheekychipmunk

Just a thought folks - I'm thinking of creating an alternate user account and using it to quote on my own posts..... Anyone else out there tried that???? Might make me feel better about myself (if I was acting like a plank, say)....

:eek:

mimi1234

Calm down dears. Stop getting so excited will you all. Take a chill pill before you post on here. If people carry on smacking each other down, this forum is definitely gonna get binned which would be a shame as I have come across some lovely people on here who keep in touch and swap ms tales with me, and moan and grumble etc etc. Can we all just "Stop, Slow Down, Take A Deep Breath" and have a little think before we post on here!

Re: tax queries, call the tax office and book in for one of the many sessions they do. Like I and someone said they run for a couple of hours and are very informative. Plus you can ask as many questions as you want, and they have free biscuits! Woohoo. If you ask one here, everyone will have a different opinion, you might as well get it straight from the horses mouth so to speak.

PS. Who has cleaned out all the visits from REACT in West Yorkshire!! :eek::eek:

Lil_Me_2

mimi1234 wrote: »

Re: tax queries, call the tax office and book in for one of the many sessions they do. Like I and someone said they run for a couple of hours and are very informative. Plus you can ask as many questions as you want, and they have free biscuits! Woohoo. If you ask one here, everyone will have a different opinion, you might as well get it straight from the horses mouth so to speak.

I suspect the tax office would tell you that you have to pay tax on all reimbursements. Anyone fancy giving them a call and checking? I don't want to draw attention to myself personally.

squeaky1055

cheekychipmunk wrote: »

Just a thought folks - I'm thinking of creating an alternate user account and using it to quote on my own posts..... Anyone else out there tried that???? Might make me feel better about myself (if I was acting like a plank, say)....

:eek:

Perfect idea..if you have a split personality

samtastic7

yonk wrote: »

But they send money to you. In today's world, nothing is untraceable, other than cash and there are major restrictions on that nowadays.

who sends money?

serendipity2706

mimi1234 wrote: »

PS. Who has cleaned out all the visits from REACT in West Yorkshire!! :eek::eek:

At least there were some in West Yorks, Bu**er all in Scotland

invalid_username_2

samtastic7 wrote: »

who sends money?

I remember a few years ago when I had my first 'failed' venture with mystery shopping that a 'Bits of everything' (?) store used to mystery shop themselves (ie. no middle man) and they used to post out money.

I doubt these days that that is common practice, but i stand to be corrected.:o

invalid_username_2

berbastrike wrote: »

If I earn around £1500 a year doing MS, can I get any benefits? Although I am not looking for any more work.

I found a benefits checker on this site somewhere, but i thin it might be the same as the one already posted. But use it and see if you're entitled to anyhting. I'm sure there must be loads for you

good luck :j