Advice Needed about Going Self-Employed

chome4

I am currently receiving Jobseeker's Allowance and have been offered some IT-related work on a part-time/self-employed basis. I've been informed that I can qualify for Tax Credits as the 'wage' I'll be getting won't be much.

The local Jobcentre are hinting for me to sign-off immediately, maybe to get me off the register! I have the Tax Credit form and HMRC can't reliably tell me when to sign-off. I haven't given HMRC online my starting date for Self-Assessment yet.

Can someone please tell me the procedure/timeline of what steps to take not to have a period with no money coming in so I can make a smooth transition to self-employment.

Thanks in advance.

pmlindyloo

You need to check to see if you qualify hours wise for working tax credit.

Check here:

http://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/wtchelp.aspx

chome4

HMRC asked me some questions over the phone a couple of weeks back and came back with a rate that was about £20 less than the standard £71 JSA, 50-something pounds a week, which is the amount I was told by one of the private 'back-to-work' firms used by the government.

I have registered to log on to HMRC's website but haven't clicked on 'register for self-assessment as self-employed' link. I was thinking of officially listing yesterday, Monday, as being my first day of 'work'. I am due to sign-on again next Wednesday.

Then there's dealing with my local council regarding Housing Benefit...

Thanks for the responses so far.

Mersey_2

You're best requesting a Working Tax Credits Application Form online first, as they can take 2 weeks to arrive and a further fortnight to process once received. Plus this is the busiest time of year.

I'm not trying to put you off, just best to have that in hand before you sign off and register as self-employed.

You can also telephone to request an application pack:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/tax-credits-enquiries

chome4

Hi Mersey,

I received the form last week. It took three weeks to arrive!

I definitely won't be signing-off until I'm OK with the correct procedure.

Cheers...