Self employment and Maternity allowance.

Rmeek

Only just noticed the correction by ceeforcat. There is no longer a 3 month rule. Just see what they say. Good luck and let us know how you get on

Rmeek

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I could hardly believe it myself when I discovered this 'flaw' over 20 years ago, but I used it twice to good effect.

Don't forget to get a certificate of exemption for low earnings though: others will advise if you need to wait until after baby to do this!

Definitely wait until after the baby if you want the small earnings exemption. In fact if you plan on having any more children I'd carry on paying as you don't want to be in this position again. If at the end of a tax year you haven't earned over the threshold or made a claim, you can claim your NI contributions back anyway.

Savvy_Sue

Rmeek wrote: »

Definitely wait until after the baby if you want the small earnings exemption. In fact if you plan on having any more children I'd carry on paying as you don't want to be in this position again. If at the end of a tax year you haven't earned over the threshold or made a claim, you can claim your NI contributions back anyway.

I was not aware that you could reclaim, and I paid up a year after having some time with an exemption certificate, went back on the exemption certificate then paid up another year next time I was pregnant.

However that's all a long time ago ...

Doodlebug1

wow, I can not believe that almost two weeks ago I genuinely had no clue about any of this thinking I would not be entitled to anything when my little one will be born trying to rack my brains to think of how I may earn some extra cash whilst having a toddler and a newborn and have gone from thinking I can get £27 a week, which I was more than happy with (covers nappies and some groceries) to now being entitled to £127 a week!!! This is honestly the best day ever!! thanks you guys!!

I will probably continue to pay NI as we will probably plan on having more children down the line!!

Just wanted to double check, the 66 week test period... do I need to be declaring myself as self employed for those 66 weeks as when I filled in the online form on the HMRC I stated that I was self employed from 25th Sept 2011 when I recieved my first client, didnt think to back track it to 66 weeks

Doodlebug1

even better,can claim NI back if I don't earn enough for that year!

Rmeek

Doodlebug1 wrote: »

wow, I can not believe that almost two weeks ago I genuinely had no clue about any of this thinking I would not be entitled to anything when my little one will be born trying to rack my brains to think of how I may earn some extra cash whilst having a toddler and a newborn and have gone from thinking I can get £27 a week, which I was more than happy with (covers nappies and some groceries) to now being entitled to £127 a week!!! This is honestly the best day ever!! thanks you guys!!

I will probably continue to pay NI as we will probably plan on having more children down the line!!

Just wanted to double check, the 66 week test period... do I need to be declaring myself as self employed for those 66 weeks as when I filled in the online form on the HMRC I stated that I was self employed from 25th Sept 2011 when I recieved my first client, didnt think to back track it to 66 weeks

No. You only have to have worked for 26 weeks so it doesn't matter when you registered as SE providing there have been 26 weeks worth of work from registering to week before baby is due. I have been working since 5th Sept 2011 and my 26 weeks is covered by w/e 4th March. That's when I intend to stop! Lol. Getting harder to manage with a 3 year old to look after too.

As for the claiming back, I already knew this from the last time I was working before baby one, but confirmed it in September with the NI people when I started my NI payments again. I guess if you dont earn over the threshold then you wouldn't have been required to pay anyway

smiffy2801

Please can someone help me!

I am 18 weeks pregnant and have already worked 26 weeks in my test period. I was employed at that time. Very recently I have decided to set up my own business so need to register as self employed. Is it possible for me to state that I am self employed but send payslips in from my previous job as I wouldn't have been registered as self employed for 26 weeks? Or do I back date it so I have been registered for 26 weeks before due date? Then pay the NI and get £127 which is more than I was earning a week! Think there is just enough time. I left employment 7th Jan. I am very confused! Please help!

Weronika

smiffy2801 wrote: »

Please can someone help me!

I am 18 weeks pregnant and have already worked 26 weeks in my test period. I was employed at that time. Very recently I have decided to set up my own business so need to register as self employed. Is it possible for me to state that I am self employed but send payslips in from my previous job as I wouldn't have been registered as self employed for 26 weeks? Or do I back date it so I have been registered for 26 weeks before due date? Then pay the NI and get £127 which is more than I was earning a week! Think there is just enough time. I left employment 7th Jan. I am very confused! Please help!

Hi,
1. to qualify for MA you need to work for 26 weeks in your test period - which you stating you had and got payslips to prove it:T
2. register as self employed AND pay (at least) 13 weeks of class2 NI contributions before your due date - to qualify for full rate of maternity allowance (don't take the small earnings exemption cert as this reduces the MA to £30 a week!)

I would advise registering as self employed ASAP
It takes around 6 weeks to register for direct debit to pay Class 2 NI and as I just find out they are taking around 4-5 weeks each month, so it can take 3 months of DD to get the 13 weeks paid!
it's only £2.5 a week and I was happy to pay a whole year at once or something just to be able to apply for MA already (I'm 36 weeks pregnant now!) but they just don't want it! they said they rather I go on maternity leave and 2 months down the line they will recalculate the MA amount and backpay me!:mad: MAdness:mad: