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

whitelabel

Chomeur wrote: »

Not sure that they want me to say. It sounds as if they could well be taxable from what misssarahleigh say. I won't do any of these trips unless I can get confirmation from HMRC that I don't have to declare them as a benefit in kind.

fair enough,
HMRC will tell you you will though, why else would you do it ...

superliss

whitelabel wrote: »

fair enough,
HMRC will tell you you will though, why else would you do it ...

Ultimately, its a free holiday.. you would have a hard time proving otherwise.

In other news. I have been part of the biggest mystery shop of all last week. OFSTED!!!

Bloomin horrible. Hell of a week.

PeteW

Anyone worked for 'The Silent Customer' as just posted in the alerts thread? Not heard of them before.

Siouxsie32

Same MS company (Aba-i), same shop (petrol), two different clients - can the visits be combined?

MysteryMe

No Pete W, but I registered with them to see what's what. They appear to be a US company so perhaps have a client with establishments in the UK?

skintsocks

I have. They're in the UK with a USA website. Very nice to deal with, and decent reimbursement for a nice night out

MysteryMe

Thanks for that, just been accepted. Nothing near me at the moment but agree it seems promising!

Big_Graeme

skintsocks wrote: »

I have. They're in the UK with a USA website. Very nice to deal with, and decent reimbursement for a nice night out

Agree, I know someone who does some work for them, recommended if you live in the south of England.

Big_Graeme

Siouxsie32 wrote: »

Same MS company (Aba-i), same shop (petrol), two different clients - can the visits be combined?

Usually not but ask ABAi they are really good.

lucy03

whitelabel wrote: »

fair enough,
HMRC will tell you you will though, why else would you do it ...

When I contacted them a few years back - although it was about hotel visits and not air flights - HMRC said that the entire income should be added up minus any costs (legitimate costs) incurred (regardless of whether it was a reimbursement only job). The end profit figure is the amount declared for tax. That isn't accordance with what some other people have been told, so it's definitely worth checking with them.

The caveat they gave is when an employer is attempting to avoid paying wages by making payment in goods/services instead of cash.

The argument would be that you are self-employed providing mystery shopping services and you undertake a range of roles to gain experience and future work. But it's one best argued with HMRC in advance, rather than after the event.