"Simply not solvent!

tyllwyd

One year I earned less than the previous, and I filed my tax return online before 31 July, and they reduced my payment on account to just the actual balance owing - even that would be better than nothing, even if there is no refund!

It's a bit worrying that you earned so much less without realising - my accounts are probably a bit simpler than yours, but I keep a running total of the money as it comes in which gives me a rough idea of where I am, at least.

Glad to hear that the job (soon to be jobs) is going well - sounds like you made the right decision to go for them, at least you will be able to budget properly for the next few months. And fingers crossed they turn into something more long-term for you.

Seaxwyn

Hi tyllwyd. I knew I was earning less but never totalled up or did a comparison with the same point in previous years. I keep all my records in a paper-based system, and do one big totting up at the end of the year. One of my tasks today is to research easy bookkeeping software. I really don't want anything complicated but it would be good to have a system that did some simple calculations.

The picture is bad for sure. But it has reconciled me to the fact that I've taken this job, which is definitely a very good thing.

Karmacat

Seaxwyn wrote: »

I've just walked DS to school for the last time:( and am sitting down for a day of number crunching and admin. I hope to work out my final figures for my tax return - I will get an accountant to look over it and check everything's correct but I'd like to know at least provisionally what my tax liability is. Karmacat, I'm sure I won't get anything back.

I just thought that because you've paid income tax based on earnings that are higher than you've actually made, you'd probably get a refund of some of that. Because of your situation, it may well be that that just lessens your debt (just! she said ) but thats good too. Honestly, Seaxwyn, that did happen to me - my actual income was about 4k less than my actual income, and the bill I paid as a result was about £800 less than usual.

I *hope* it happens for you too, anyway....

boredofbeingathome

Can't offer any practical help but can send *Good luck* wishes Seaxwyn. As you say. no wonder things were a bit tight and when i look at my earnings over the last year i want to cry too..Think i earned a third of what i could earn!
But there are positives and i for one don't really regret this last year as it has meant that i could fit in everything i needed to with DD2 and in all honesty would not have it any other way.

taxi73

I daren't look at how much less we've taken on the year and as you say it comes as a shock.Perhaps this new job will really help out as at least you know what you'll be earning and be able to budget accordingly.It's so hard being S/E sometimes and near impossible to work out a budget so you have my sympathies as I can really understand all the difficulties.

Seaxwyn

So now I've picked up DS from school for the last time :( and having a little wallow. I've been feeling almost tearful all day, only just taking on board what a big deal it is to be going back to full-time office-based work. But I need to give myself a shake and get on with it.

Now I'm going to have a quick tidy of my office space here, pack away lots of boxes of unsightly papers out of sight so this corner of the room is more like a family sitting room.

Then I'll get on with the tax stuff. I hope DS will do his tax return in the next few days as well so we can give our figures in to the tax credits people and perhaps get some retrospective payments. I daren't even think about getting a tax rebate until I've done all the sums.

lucielle

Come on, you can do this, give it a couple of weeks and you'll be settled in a routine.
L

Seaxwyn

I've got over it now and feel much more positive. I was just hit by a strong feeling of one phase of life coming to an end and these transitions have to be acknowledged.

I spent the evening clearing out my office, which was cathartic. The last ten years or so zipped past my eyes as I binned and shredded. So many different phases! I must have done every possible combination of working, not working, freelancing, commuting, being at home etc etc that there is. And have had lots of great experiences, so hope the next phase has its rewards. The sitting room has much less office clutter in it now, which is a bonus.

Off to bed now, ready to catch the 7.51 tomorrow.... 'night all.

hypno06

Good luck today x

Double_Trouble

Seaxwyn wrote: »

Hi DT! What a shame about the photos. How was the trip?

I'm making great progress on my accounts. Have sorted my receipts into piles for each month, now have to go through weeding out duplicates and working out which are claimable.

The trip was great hard work but I managed to meet all the children except one and my host over there managed to see her last weekend so all is well, car lost the tread on one of its tyres, car broke down, missed my plane connection, luggage arrived home 30 hours after me - edited highlights :rotfl:seriously it was a good trip a bit weird going on my own but no major problems just need to deal with the paperwork now.

All the best for today.

DTxx