Mystery Shopping Thread 21 *PLEASE READ THE OP FIRST**PLEASE NO CLIENT NAMES OR FEES*

HappyMJ

Boredupnorth wrote: »

Maybe you should look harder then, they are out there and the money are are talking about is not massive. 35 jobs a week would see you clearing that....

Thank you a figure...So that's a profit of £8.80 per job working 46.4 weeks (5.6 weeks holidays). Can't see them. I'll keep looking.

Boredupnorth

HappyMJ wrote: »

Thank you a figure...So that's a profit of £8.80 per job working 46.4 weeks (5.6 weeks holidays). Can't see them. I'll keep looking.

You can borrow my glasses if you like as they are out there....mind you i actually look for them rather than spending my time cooking the books.

Ziggy_Stardust

I'm so confused with this tax business, I've not done it before, only started a few months ago so I'm sorry if what I'm asking has already been covered.

My first job was at a shopping centre 60 miles round trip away from me. I was already going there anyway and the job came up. It was an eatery where I had to spend at least £5 and was getting paid £10 (to include what I spent) I actually spent £8.50. How do I do this one? This is what I've got:

Fee Mileage Petrol Expenses Profit

10 60 27 8.5 -25.50

The only reason for taking this job was to try and get established with the company who have not offered me any further jobs that are closer to home. Can I count my loss in profit? I won't be earning over the tax threshold as I'm a carer and only do 3-4 MS jobs a week. I have registered as SE, how long does it take for your tax number to come through as I only did it the other day?

Also can I claim a mobile phone on expenses, mine's died and I used it to take photos and make notes on while doing my jobs?

marvellousaunt

Ziggy_Stardust wrote: »

I'm so confused with this tax business, I've not done it before, only started a few months ago so I'm sorry if what I'm asking has already been covered.

My first job was at a shopping centre 60 miles round trip away from me. I was already going there anyway and the job came up. It was an eatery where I had to spend at least £5 and was getting paid £10 (to include what I spent) I actually spent £8.50. How do I do this one? This is what I've got:

Fee Mileage Petrol Expenses Profit
£ £ £
10.00 60 27.0 8.5 -25.50

Can I count my loss in profit? I won't be earning over the tax threshold as I'm a carer and only do 3-4 MS jobs a week. I have registered as SE, how long does it take for your tax number to come through as I only did it the other day?

Also can I claim a mobile phone on expenses, mine's died and I used it to take photos and make notes on while doing my jobs?

If you only HAD to spend £5 but CHOSE to spend more, I'm not sure that you can deduct the - I don't, I would just claim the £5 - but again others may do differently.

I also believe you can't deduct for the mileage if you were already going there - your mileage wasn't 'solely and completely' for business (or whatever the fancy phrase is).

I believe you could claim a percentage of a phone as expenses, but again if you use it for personal use as well it'll be a judgement call as to the percentage you claim.

I got my tax number in a few weeks perhaps? I can't recall the exact date but it wasn't too long.

HTH

ETA - If you have a loss overall in a job, some of my mileage for unforeseen circumstances was greater than I expected as I had to travel from home rather than work, and came up at a loss overall, you still include this in your accounts and that's fine. It happens from time to time.

square-pants

Would you claim petrol if you were going there anyway? I don't think it would look right claiming £27 petrol for a £1.50 fee.

Ziggy_Stardust

Thanks marvellousaunt, I'll change my spreadsheet to £5 and not count the mileage, as I said it won't make a difference to me as I'll be under the tax threshold but got to keep the books clean .

square-pants wrote: »

Would you claim petrol if you were going there anyway? I don't think it would look right claiming £27 petrol for a £1.50 fee.

That's why I asked as I was just filling out my spreadsheet as I'd set it out, thanks for the feedback .

HappyMJ

Ziggy_Stardust wrote: »

Thanks marvellousaunt, I'll change my spreadsheet to £5 and not count the mileage, as I said it won't make a difference to me as I'll be under the tax threshold but got to keep the books clean .



That's why I asked as I was just filling out my spreadsheet as I'd set it out, thanks for the feedback .

Just be careful as Carer's Allowance counts towards your tax threshold. It's taxable income. I'd only claim any excess mileage from where you were going to the client site may only be a couple of miles and I would limit it to the £5 or the lowest cost item that you could have purchased.

jen_br

HappyMJ wrote: »

How much profit should I make doing 30 hours a week mystery shopping?

Ok well heres the thing I do MS and Video shopping... I earn a lot of money (sorry not meaning to brag but its my only source of income) and I have never lost 14k per year like your claiming!

what you are doing with the hotels is illegal.. and if I knew your name I would happily report you. I hire an accountant every year to do my taxs so I can make sure im doing it right that and I just don't have the time. I have consulted him on what you have said and you can't claim the hotels like you are.

there is no feasible way your making 16k and only 2k profit I for one would like to see your books.. unless your in london driving to scotland for a 4.00 job you either A) Lying, writing off FAR more then your entitiled C) not even blimin doing your taxs.

You HAVE to claim benefits in kind.. If you are going to stay at a hotel (sorry the whole "I might get more work" is BS especially when it comes to hotel jobs EVERYONE wants them your in control of your own destiny)... and you get reimbursed for said hotel IT HAS TO BE CLAIMED...

It sucks but it does. I get free flights and I have to go through and claim the cost of the ticket -- My accountant has even made me go online the day I get the free ticket to look how much one ticket is going to cost and screen shot it -- print it etc for my books.


Sorry but you are scamming the govt and MSE have strict policies against this. I know many MSers that are getting audited yearly so I would watch your back.

square-pants

I wonder if you can claim gym membership to work off all the gap burgers

HappyMJ

jen_br wrote: »

You HAVE to claim benefits in kind.. If you are going to stay at a hotel (sorry the whole "I might get more work" is BS especially when it comes to hotel jobs EVERYONE wants them your in control of your own destiny)... and you get reimbursed for said hotel IT HAS TO BE CLAIMED...

I am not an employee. Benefits in kind rules apply to employees.