Mystery shopping thread 26 *please read the op first**please no client names or fees

Big_Graeme

Larac wrote: »

Would agree the tax man is likely to take a dim view, if you take jobs which are not profitable. A lot of these jobs are only worth doing if you can get a circuit up.

I can tell you now, anyone declaring a small profit (on a reasonable) turn over or a loss, will be looked at quite closely by HMRC and doubly so if there are any tax credits involved. The days of doing a basic few hours and claiming tax credits are gone.

Oddjob

MO2 wrote: »

Has anyone done a job for this MS Company recently. I used to do stationary shops for them, but have not heard from them for over a year now. Are they still in business?? :huh:

I was only wondering the same thing a few days ago. I haven't heard from them for ages.

Just realised the company wasn't mentioned in the body of the message, only in the title. Its Optimum Contact.

samtastic7

I have quite a few of the big yellow supermarket. All of them in the past have been scored 9 or 10,
My last one got a 5, no queries of feedback 😒

[Deleted User]

Hi
Just need some quick advice

Already have a job and decided to do this MS for some extra income with MF and SL.

Did read the tax guide and its a bit daunting to me.
Have sent a email to HMRC to register for self employed but how do I work out how much taxable income I am doing from MS?

Most of the jobs I do are on MF and the mileage I dont take account off as im in that area anyway or its very close to me (3-5 miles) - do I need to take account of mileage or do I just claim back the fees they pay me? (ie not the reimbursement costs)

Help

genetic

vinh1000 wrote: »

Hi
Just need some quick advice

Already have a job and decided to do this MS for some extra income with MF and SL.

Did read the tax guide and its a bit daunting to me.
Have sent a email to HMRC to register for self employed but how do I work out how much taxable income I am doing from MS?

Most of the jobs I do are on MF and the mileage I dont take account off as im in that area anyway or its very close to me (3-5 miles) - do I need to take account of mileage or do I just claim back the fees they pay me? (ie not the reimbursement costs)

Help

Long story short: you must keep track of all of your expenses and income.

You need to keep track of the reimbursements, as well. It is in your best interest to keep track of the mileage. You deduct it (and other expenses) from your payment amounts to get your income. This way you only pay taxes on your after-expense income. There are separate entries for payment/income and expenses when you file your taxes.

There HMRC offers periodic courses for self-employed people and, in my experience, are actually helpful if you call in.

[Deleted User]

genetic - thanks

So if I do say a pub job and the fee was say £3 and reimbursement £9.75 would I only declare £3 as the taxable income because I would have only made that amount?

Regards

Money_maker

I think you would need to show the £9.75 coming in then going out, that explains where the reimbursement goes to rather than just showing a fee.


Edited to say, coming in as a reimbursement but showing as part of the expenses so cancelling each other out.

mamashaz

Money_maker wrote: »

I think you would need to show the £9.75 coming in then going out, that explains where the reimbursement goes to rather than just showing a fee.


Edited to say, coming in as a reimbursement but showing as part of the expenses so cancelling each other out.

I have to disagree with this as I was told by the HMRC that the whole payment, i.e. fee + reimbursement, is taxable as you have benefited from the meal.
So basically all goods, meals etc which are received and paid for by the mystery shopping company are taxable as we benefit from them. I jokingly asked if I would benefit from buying men's underwear as I'm female and I was told that this was still the case!!

missymouse

I was told by an advisor at the IR that they were only interested in the fee.

Doc_N

mamashaz wrote: »

I have to disagree with this as I was told by the HMRC that the whole payment, i.e. fee + reimbursement, is taxable as you have benefited from the meal.

But would the meal be chargeable at the full retail value? Or the cost to the restaurant? I seem to recall some obscure point on this.