How can I prove hours worked - self employment

ollow

Hi

After being a SAHM for 10 years and becoming a single parent I've found a job. It's a zero hour contract but the company have said they'll give me 16 + hours.

They also call you to cover shifts.

Due to the nature of the work (care work) I can have calls canceled etc., and not meet at least 16 hours. This week I've been lucky as I've had cancelled calls but I've also been able to pick up a shift.

I've spoken to HMRC/tax credits and they said I can go both employed and self employed.

But how do you prove what self employed work you've done? I'm thinking of doing online surveys etc but only for about 2 hours a week in the hope of keeping my hours above 16.

I am planning to up my hours with work but I'm just breaking myself in gently.

Hope I've made sense.

Many thanks

benefitbaby

You keep a diary of what you do, when and for how long... and any other evidence available to you e.g. print-outs of surveys/emails etc

ollow

Thank you.

Sorry but I'm a bit confused - would I print out the invite email and the completion page?

Also I was thinking about swagbucks but I can't see how I could take print outs of this, as it's also watching videos, taking up offers and playing games as well.

benefitbaby

You keep copies (or screen prints) of everything, obviously you will paid into an account so you will need to keep the banking records too.
Self-employment is work done in expectation of payment so any records you can keep as to the work you have done and the remuneration you have gained will be important. If you cannot print something out then make a written note in a work diary.

ollow

Thank you once again, I could take screen shots of it all.

Do you know if they would except evidence electronically? As I know with swagbucks you earn points and then convert them to cash or vouchers but some things are only worth a couple of swagbucks. If I had to print everything then I'd run out of space.

Do you know if there's anyone I could go and speak to in person as I'm getting a feeling this is going to be very complicated (it could be just me).

I spoke to HMRC and they said there is no way I can prove hours to them, obviously I want to cover my back.

gingergee

Trust me, very soon the care work will give you enough work!!! Lol x make syr you remember to include time on the phone to the office, training and travelling time in your hours. And offering to cover at weekends etc will help x i worked in care for 12 years, so have a bit of knowledge. Well done for doing such a rewarding job x x

ollow

Thank you.

Unfortunatly I don't get paid for travelling between calls, so am I right in thinking I only declare actually hours worked i.e. 3 calls at 30 mins = 1.5 hours. I don't include the 30 minutes of travel time to get to the calls.
As my wages will only reflect hours worked. (To working tax).

skivenov

It doesn't matter if you're getting paid, it's still a work related activity. If you want to cover your bases, deduct home -> first call and last call -> home.

ollow

Thank you

So I can just get this right, ignoring self employment. Concentrating only on my main job.

Say I left at 8.00am got to my first call at 8.30am, completed other calls including travelling finished my last call at 12.30pm got home at 1.00pm, I would be able to say to WTC that my hours for that day are 4 hours, even though I may have only actually worked 2.5.

Sorry for asking so many questions just trying to get my head around things.