So confused

PeterJames123

Hi Guys,

The company I work for has recently reduced my hours from full time to 16hours per wake (the same as my wife) We are both now on low income and claiming working tax and child tax. It's been 2 months now and I have been unable to find work and thought I would to start my own wedding photography company. The camera will cost me £2k and my plan is to take bookings and use the deposit of those bookings to go any buy my new camera. My question is do I need to declare this to the HMRC ? and how often do I need to tell them? All the money I get paid is cash in hand and I have no business account as I am only doing it freelance at the moment.



Which way is the correct way to do freelance photography or any freelance work for that matter without looking over your shoulder.

Oldernotwiser

Do you have any experience or qualifications in this field?

Pollycat

Oldernotwiser asks a very good question.

Do you actually have any bookings already or is this just at the 'I have a dream' stage?

I'm not sure that you'd get many bookings without having a portfolio of how good your work is to show to potential clients.

I'd certainly never book a photographer for a wedding without knowing how good and reliable they are.

Have you considered liability insurance?
What if you !!!!-up and someone takes legal action against you?

Any earnings (cash in hand or not) should be declared to HMRC and also to the DWP who pay your benefits.

If you don't and you are found out, you may be in trouble with underpaid tax and overpaid WTC & CTC.

PeterJames123

Yes I have been working for a photgraphy company for years so have a great portfolio. Do I call them everytime I get a booking or is it a end of year thing?

karenx

You will need to keep accounts of everything for your tax return. You will need to register self employed also. You will also need to declare your earnings to tax credits and any other means tested benefits you recieve