Small Tutoring Business

twinklie

I have in the past tutored through a government scheme and am now looking to tutor privately. I'm already registered as self employed through the mystery shopping work I have undertaken.

However, I was just wondering if people could advise me on a few points....seemingly not everyone declares their additional income. I am a full time teacher so only looking to tutor a couple of hours per week tops, and it's very unlikely I'll tutor throughout the summer months due to the nature of the job. Therefore I am aware I'll probably not need to pay NI class 2 contributions and can get an exemption form.

However, please can you help me with the following questions:

1. Do I need a business bank account? My guess is yes.
2. What can I claim as an expense against tax? So far I have: mobile phone SIM and top ups (for business use only), office suppies (pens/paper etc), printing (6p per sheet), petrol (40p per mile), home office use (not sure of amount because I won't tutor at home - but will do all the prep at home), business cards...not sure what else yet.

Any other thoughts or suggestions that might help me or save me any hassle would be greatly appreciated. I know I had other questions but I've forgotten them. Doh!

Horace

Mileage is now 45p a mile for the first 10,000 miles.

You would need public liability insurance to cover you and most likely professional liability insurance.

Ideally, you should have a business bank account to keep your money separate from your personal money.

I know you say that not everyone declares their earnings - those of us who run honest businesses do.

Avoid Vistaprint cards if you value your business - the quality just isnt there and can reflect badly on your business plus they have a nasty habit of printing their own advert on the reverse so you would have to have a blank side.

The HMRC run some free courses on how to complete your self assessment and they tell you what you can and cannot claim for too.

twinklie

Thanks, I've always declared - but only done mystery shopping in the past.

45p per mile....right spreadsheet is now amended and I thought as such re: bank account. I didn't even think about insurance....hmm.

I'm ok with filling in the SA, but do need to look into what I can and cannot claim for in more detail.