How do I become a non tax-payer

Hopeless123

Sorry if this seems like a numpty question! I'm 58, I gave up work in 2012 after burning myself out and, apart from very occasional days temping for my old company, worth prob less than £800 a year, have no income at all. I registered as self-employed not long after I gave up work and each year just basically fill in a blank form with zeros! I think I've done a couple of self-assessments and received tax back from savings interest but I would assume I should be registered somehow as a non tax payer?

All my bills are paid from my savings and sales of ebay tat sometimes goes towards personal stuff, though I don't really spend money!

The goalposts have moved so I won't draw my state pension until I'm 66, but I do have some small personal pensions that I may realise some money from when the savings run out. However, it doesn't seem right that I would have to pay tax on that when I have no income.

Do I just carry on as I am or is there something I should do? Please don't suggest I call the tax office, I've been trying that for a fortnight and begrudge spending the money on the calls when I'm on hold for well over an hour!

Any help would be appreciated. I'm not looking for financial advice, as such, just wondered if there's something I should be doing?

HappyMJ

You are still self employed. A few days a year consulting for an old company is still self employment and you need to fill in that annual self assessment. It's not all zero's you need to be declaring that income.

There's no tax to pay I know...but that form but still be filled in each tax year.

Hopeless123

HappyMJ wrote: »

You are still self employed. A few days a year consulting for an old company is still self employment and you need to fill in that annual self assessment. It's not all zero's you need to be declaring that income.

There's no tax to pay I know...but that form but still be filled in each tax year.

Hi, no it's not through self-employment when I do those few days, I have to go through an agency, get a payslip and P60 at the end of the year, etc. and I declare the income on my personal tax self-assessment form. I'm going to de-register as self-employed anyway, as I've never done anything through it, so maybe disregard that bit of my original post!

booksurr

you can register to receive savings interest without deduction of tax at source by the bank/building society by contacting each of them and following their instructions

other than that you cannot "register as a non tax payer". You must continue to complete SA Returns until HMRC tell you (in writing) to stop. You could prod them a bit by writing to them and asking them to consider your circumstances, other than that just carry on as you are

Hopeless123

Thank you, I did register as a non tax payer with one of the savings providers, when I spotted it was an option, but thought it seemed a bit strange that I don't have anything to back it up, it's only on my say so! Thought there was something else I needed to do with the tax office.

See, told you it was a numpty question :-)

Thanks

HappyMJ

Hopeless123 wrote: »

Thank you, I did register as a non tax payer with one of the savings providers, when I spotted it was an option, but thought it seemed a bit strange that I don't have anything to back it up, it's only on my say so! Thought there was something else I needed to do with the tax office.

See, told you it was a numpty question :-)

Thanks

It's self assessment you tell them your income and you calculate what tax is due. They don't tell you. You don't need anything to back it up. You declare you won't be earning enough to pay tax on your interest and that's it.

zygurat789

Hopeless123 wrote: »

Hi, no it's not through self-employment when I do those few days, I have to go through an agency, get a payslip and P60 at the end of the year, etc. and I declare the income on my personal tax self-assessment form. I'm going to de-register as self-employed anyway, as I've never done anything through it, so maybe disregard that bit of my original post!

If and when you do de-register as self employed don't make the mistake of thinking that you don't have to submit a tax return, that would cost you at least £100.
You may stop submitting a tax return when you are specifically told you can by HMRC.
If I was you I'd do something I fancied just to earn a bit of tax free cash.
Earnings £150, cash in pocket £150. Who's HMRC anyway.

Hopeless123

zygurat789 wrote: »

If and when you do de-register as self employed don't make the mistake of thinking that you don't have to submit a tax return, that would cost you at least £100.
You may stop submitting a tax return when you are specifically told you can by HMRC.
If I was you I'd do something I fancied just to earn a bit of tax free cash.
Earnings £150, cash in pocket £150. Who's HMRC anyway.

Didn't know that, thanks. Might as well leave it as it is then.