Mystery Shopping Thread 24 *PLEASE READ THE OP FIRST**PLEASE NO CLIENT NAMES OR FEES

mskitten2904

GEMGIRL67 wrote: »

If you start doing mystery shopping and don't register as self employed, is there a good chance that the tax office catch up with you. Just I am thinking of maybe starting mystery shopping in the future and will register as self employed straight away. But I have a friend who has just started and not declaring it yet or registering as self employed.

You have 3 months from the date you start to register I believe but your friend is asking for trouble by not declaring because the Inland Revenue know who I work for and I have never told them so companies do declare you.

skintsocks

If your friend is claiming any form of tax credits, she really does need to register self employed as soon as possible, as the tax credit department are really hot on investigations also, and expect to be told about changes in circumstances immediately.

skivenov

From memory (I've been self-employed in one line of work or another for most of the last 10 years), you've got 3 months to declare yourself as self-employed to the tax man after you start trading. If you don't, you're breaking the law.

Most MS companies pay by BACS with a narrative saying what company the payment came from, so if you have your affairs looked into by the taxman, then it will be obvious what you've been doing.

Big_Graeme

GEMGIRL67 wrote: »

If you start doing mystery shopping and don't register as self employed, is there a good chance that the tax office catch up with you. Just I am thinking of maybe starting mystery shopping in the future and will register as self employed straight away. But I have a friend who has just started and not declaring it yet or registering as self employed.

Simple answer is yes, MS agencies send your details to HMRC when they do their own accounts, you will get caught eventually.

Big_Graeme

radio-jo wrote: »

I don't understand - what's your problem with identifying yourself?

Because we visit the same store many times, being known to the staff stops that line of income.

skivenov

...or the store next door, or the stand down the hall, or the bank the MoS's partner works at....

In the last month, I can name four centres or retail parks where you could throw a stone from one client that I've visited to at least two others. I'd pretty much guarantee the staff from those clients stand in the same place for a brew or a smoke and a gossip.

superliss

radio-jo wrote: »

Nonsense! Gap have asked me to ID myself twice in the last six months (Only one instance was after a negative report I gave), and they've not sacked me.

Dont speak to soon... Like many have said there's often no reason as to why you get the boot.

PinkWing

Out of curiosity, does anyone known why you have to reveal yourself for the RA health shops?

gallygirl

PinkWing wrote: »

Out of curiosity, does anyone known why you have to reveal yourself for the RA health shops?

To put the fear of god up them so they can test their own herbal remedies I assume :rotfl:.

xpf

PinkWing wrote: »

Out of curiosity, does anyone known why you have to reveal yourself for the RA health shops?

That's what the client must want as it's the exact same scenario as the previous MS company advertised (previous one offered more money - they still couldn't get enough people to do them though!)