Mystery Shopping Thread 25 *PLEASE READ THE OP FIRST**PLEASE NO CLIENT NAMES OR FEES

Hannah88811

Hi! I'm new to mystery shopping and have searched this thread but can't seem to find the answer to my question. I have just signed up to a company and been accepted but not booked any assignments yet as the registering for tax is confusing me. I am currently employed and earn approx £13,000 pa so I know I would have to pay 20% on anything I earn MSing but I am only planning on doing one assignment a month and for reimbursement only. So what would my "earnings" be? I want to be 100% clear before I book my first assignment as it may not be worth me doing it after all. Thanks in advance

mrbanjo

Whats the point in doing just one per month, what criteria do you have to choose just one per month? What company do you MS for?

Hannah88811

mrbanjo wrote: »

Whats the point in doing just one per month, what criteria do you have to choose just one per month? What company do you MS for?

It's the mystery dining company. I can choose which ones I want to do and how many, plus it doesn't look like there are many in my area to do. I'll only be doing it as a hobby, not an income

Big_Graeme

Hannah88811 wrote: »

So what would my "earnings" be?

Whatever they were paying you to do the job, in this case the reimbursement value.

Hannah88811

But then isn't the meal I have classed as an expense? This is what is confusing me

chinora

Hannah88811 wrote: »

But then isn't the meal I have classed as an expense? This is what is confusing me

As all you are being paid is the reimbursement for the cost of the meal you will have no earning and do not need to declare your self self employed. If however you ever take a payment for a job then you will need to declare your self employment status.
Hope this helps.

Big_Graeme

chinora wrote: »

As all you are being paid is the reimbursement for the cost of the meal you will have no earning and do not need to declare your self self employed. If however you ever take a payment for a job then you will need to declare your self employment status.
Hope this helps.

Where do you get this little gem from?

Big_Graeme

Hannah88811 wrote: »

But then isn't the meal I have classed as an expense? This is what is confusing me

No, not for you, it is an expense for Mystery Diners though. The meal is the payment for your report, it is classed as payment in kind.

superliss

Not sure why you would only want to do one per month. If it's MDC the more you do the more beneficial it becomes. I'm with BG on the tax stuff. If you really aren't sure speak to HMRC. Personally I think this how companies like MF reel newbies in. Making out its just go for a free meal tell us if it was tasty!

Anyway weather is good. Hope everyone has enjoyed Easter.

One love.

Hannah88811

Big_Graeme wrote: »

No, not for you, it is an expense for Mystery Diners though. The meal is the payment for your report, it is classed as payment in kind.

Yeah that makes sense. So can I still put down the expenses listed in the first post? Mileage to get to restaurant, printer/pages printed, all stuff to get started (calculator, diary, files) etc?