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

enevel

Implication wrote: »

My worry is whether I will be causing myself problems in the future by applying for the exemption certificate because it lowers paternity leave, pensions etc.

Nothing of the sort. The Revenue likes to write a load of guff on NI forms to scare people into paying voluntary contributions. If you're not earning enough, applying for an exemption is your right - and has absolutely no effect on anything else you may be entitled to.

Chocforever

I understand some, but not all, of your NIC concerns. Perhaps I can help you a bit.


At the moment, the general rule is that a person needs to pay NIC for 30 years to be entitled to a full state pension. If you are relatively young and expect to be fit to work/be self employed in the future, you are likely to pay NIC for many more than 30 years.


Opting out of Class 2 should not affect paternity pay.


If you are under 30, and I suspect you are, I would definitely claim the small earnings exemption.

Chocforever

enevel wrote: »

Nothing of the sort. The Revenue likes to write a load of guff on NI forms to scare people into paying voluntary contributions. If you're not earning enough, applying for an exemption is your right - and has absolutely no effect on anything else you may be entitled to.

NIC contributions do affect entitlement to some state benefits, for example, the state pension.


It is true that the HMRC correspondence on NIC is quite scary and opting out of class 2 can be the right thing to do, but not for everyone.

enevel

Chocforever wrote: »

NIC contributions do affect entitlement to some state benefits, for example, the state pension.

And the state pension is generally topped up by other benefits if you are short of NI contributions.

But let's not beat around the bush here. The OP is clearly never going to get a state pension, due to the obvious cues dropped about their age. Those 20 years this person's senior are unlikely to ever see a penny in state pension, so there's pretty much zero chance of them doing so.

Implication

Chocforever wrote: »

I understand some, but not all, of your NIC concerns. Perhaps I can help you a bit.


At the moment, the general rule is that a person needs to pay NIC for 30 years to be entitled to a full state pension. If you are relatively young and expect to be fit to work/be self employed in the future, you are likely to pay NIC for many more than 30 years.


Opting out of Class 2 should not affect paternity pay.


If you are under 30, and I suspect you are, I would definitely claim the small earnings exemption.

enevel wrote: »

Nothing of the sort. The Revenue likes to write a load of guff on NI forms to scare people into paying voluntary contributions. If you're not earning enough, applying for an exemption is your right - and has absolutely no effect on anything else you may be entitled to.

Thanks for your help.

Assuming I do apply for exemption, would I need to let them know if/when I wish to opt in again (e.g. if I get another job), or is tax/NIC dealt with separately at separate jobs? Sorry if these are silly/naive questions!

Chocforever

Class 2 NIC is only relevant for self-employment, so if you get a job, it makes no difference (you pay class 1 NIC as an employee) and you don't need to tell the employer. If you got other self-employed work, the exemption only applies if the earnings in total are below the limit as set out above.

emmylc

Just wondered if anyone has any experience of the cinema audits that are offered by the MS company that I think doesn't like to be named - seems a reasonable fee but minimal information given and no paperwork to look at to judge it.

FYI I have emailed them previously asking for more info on what's involved after receiving a similar notification but received no response, hence asking you guys instead.

Cybi-Ping

The first rule of A***** is; do not talk about A*****. The second rule of A***** is ....

Larac

emmylc wrote: »

Just wondered if anyone has any experience of the cinema audits that are offered by the MS company that I think doesn't like to be named - seems a reasonable fee but minimal information given and no paperwork to look at to judge it.

FYI I have emailed them previously asking for more info on what's involved after receiving a similar notification but received no response, hence asking you guys instead.

I would be like you on this and be seeking further information. I have been caught on a number of occasions on some of their briefs, it looks fine on paper, until you do the job. For that reason I won't do any of their merchandising jobs as they always take longer than stated and sometimes you need end up revisiting as the person you need is not in the store. The fees are low and don't cover revisits.

mrbanjo

Quick question, are Lodge some kind of outsourcing company? Apparently linked to React but seem to be offering TNS jobs