what happens if you work self employed and its impossible to figure out an average?

Yasha

i'm married with two children and currently we recieve working tax credits, child tax credits, some housing and council tax benefit.
i have been offered work which is self employed but the money coming in would be all over the place. some weeks £20, some weeks £100 - £150.
how would this work with wtc and all the other benefits and also with tax?
i'm not sure if it's worth the hassle but on the other hand its' hours fit in well with having young children (no childcare!) and its still work!
thanks to anyone who can help

zagfles

For tax credits it's the annual amount which is relevant so you should estimate what this will be and tell them. If your income turns out to be higher you might need to pay some back, but then as your earnings were higher than expected you should be able to afford to put some aside. But anyway there's a £10k disregard for income increases so you might not even have an overpayment.

You'll need to estimate average hours too for WTC, you'd just need to get the range right, eg under 24, 24-30 or 30+

Notmyrealname

With housing and council tax benefits you submit your accounts periodically and the award for the next period is based on the accounts you submit.

With tax credits, you make a best guess and if it looks like being wildly out, update them around December. When you get the renewal you put in the actual figure for your profit (income less tax deductible expenses) and then that year is then amended accordingly.