Mystery Shopping Thread 23 *PLEASE READ THE OP FIRST**PLEASE NO CLIENT NAMES OR FEES

MysteryMe

You would have been shown your login details when you first registered. If you can't find your details I'd ring the HMRC self assessment helpline and have your NI number handy.

0845 900 0444

They are open Sats 8-4 and M-F 8-8.

They can help on filling the form in as well.

HeavensDevil

mimi1234 wrote: »

Out of interest, I chose Monday to do a REACT gadget shop, would it be a bother if I did it tomorrow instead? I've emailed Uncle Ted but have not had a response yet. Anyone know if this is OK? I could call him but I don't want to disturb him as it might be his personal mobile?

I've contacted Karen and Ted outside office hours and they've been fine with me (or at least pretended to be ) I send texts, beginning with a quick apology, as I find texts are less intrusive and then it's up to them if they want to respond or not.

On a similar note, I picked up a longer TNS supermarket (with mileage, of course!) and said I'd do it today. It was after office hours this evening when I realised I wouldn't make it. The only other day I can do is tomorrow, and the email said it would be OK to visit on Saturday. However, when I went to change the date on VAS, it would only let me change it to Sunday. Do you guys think it would be alright to visit tomorrow, input the results on Sunday (if it won't let me do it before) and send an apology email to TNS explaining what happened?

N.I.M

I wouldnt but I don't trust TNS as far as I could throw them so maybe best to get anothers input.

cyprus31

Does anyone know another way to contact GAP other than shopperpaymentUK email or web enquiry form?

My July payment for 3 jobs only consisted of the fees and not the reimbursement. Despite 2 emails and 2 enquiries, I still have not had a response. I understand phoning is a no no, so what else can you suggest please?

superflygal

misssarahleigh wrote: »

You may claim for the meal as an expense if you got a fee with it.

E.g. £20 Fee and £30 reinbursment

As you had to order (and pay) for the food to get the fee

If you just get £40 to spend on fee and no fee then NO. As it's seen as 'benefited'. You've done the job for the meal, not for the money.

If it's £5 for the fee and £50 meal, this is a grey area. If you claim for the meal Mr Tax man may say, where is the profit in traveling 20 miles, spending 2 hours out, doing a half hour report? You would then have to prove to Mr Taxman it was for the fee not for the 'free' meal.

(although current arguments could include you took a job like this to get on the right side of a company for further, more profitable work).

The grey area depends on how confident you are that A. Mr Tax man will no knock at your door and B. You can convince him your right.

Thanks for this Misssarahleigh.

Bit worried now though! Have been keeping records of all my visits. i.e. place visited, income, expenses: (meal, petrol, photocopies) Net profit and a rolling total. My total after 6 months, (since I mainly do restaurant/pub visits and put mileage in) is -£125. I mainly do the visits for the meal and have done a few where there is no fee (not many though just italian american and mexican) So do you think I will get a tax bill for my negative earnings? I have made sure these are all legit and don't do more than 17 miles one way.

Thanks!

SFG x

square-pants

superflygal wrote: »

Thanks for this Misssarahleigh.

Bit worried now though! Have been keeping records of all my visits. i.e. place visited, income, expenses: (meal, petrol, photocopies) Net profit and a rolling total. My total after 6 months, (since I mainly do restaurant/pub visits and put mileage in) is -£125. I mainly do the visits for the meal and have done a few where there is no fee (not many though just italian american and mexican) So do you think I will get a tax bill for my negative earnings? I have made sure these are all legit and don't do more than 17 miles one way.

Thanks!

SFG x

I think your calculations maybe wrong.

You can't claim the meal as an expense if you are only doing the visit for the meal (i.e there is no fee, or the fee is £5 and the meal reimbursement is £50)

If you are doing a visit just for the meal, then the meal is your payment...and you are taxed on this.

So if you accept a job for a restaurant that pays a £60 reimbursement and no fee, it costs you £10 petrol to get there - you've benefited by £50 and will be taxed on this at 20% - so pay £10 tax. A good way of looking at it is that you've had a great meal for a tenner

I'm sure this is right....someone will tell me if it isn't!

square-pants

Are you allowed to do a Gap Drive-Thru with your dog in the boot? I know no other people are allowed to be in the car but what about animals? I want to take my collie to the river tomorrow and there's a premium Gapburger to pick on the way.

N.I.M

Dogs arent legally people so I think you'd be ok assuming its in a cage/pen in the back.

skintsocks

*is giggling*

square-pants

I'll try it then. If the store gets a bad report though, I can see them arguing that the dog was a distraction. I've never had an issue with GAP before but I know some people have had problems with them.