Self employed - where to start?

azzap

I've accepted a job as a full time caddy having only ever done this on a casual basis in the past. I'll be self employed as a contractor (I have to bill my player for my fee) and settle my own travel expenses out of the agreed fee (paid in €'s). Not sure where to start in terms of bank accounts and paying tax / NI, after intl travel expenses I'll be left with very little as my player is a low ranking one and I'm looking at this year as a stepping stone.
Any advice would be really greatly appreciated, I have a short window before starting. Many thanks

Aquamania

azzap wrote: »

I've accepted a job as a full time caddy having only ever done this on a casual basis in the past. I'll be self employed as a contractor (I have to bill my player for my fee) and settle my own travel expenses out of the agreed fee (paid in €'s). Not sure where to start in terms of bank accounts and paying tax / NI, after intl travel expenses I'll be left with very little as my player is a low ranking one and I'm looking at this year as a stepping stone.
Any advice would be really greatly appreciated, I have a short window before starting. Many thanks

What makes you think you will be self employed? :huh:

Based on what you say, I very much doubt HMRC will interpret things that way.

I suggest you look at the HMRC website to see how they decide what constitutes self employment, and if after reading that, you agree with me, then tell the person that wishes to employ your services not to shirk from their responsibilities of an employer (and don't you give up your rights as an employee)

antrobus

Aquamania wrote: »

What makes you think you will be self employed? :huh:

Based on what you say, I very much doubt HMRC will interpret things that way....

I am inclined to be similarly blunt, and ask what makes you think you know anything about the taxation of golf caddies?

As far as I can see, a golf caddy is generally regarded as being a self-employed contractor when they work for a golf club; thus it may not be any different when they work for a single golfer. I'd say that it was clearly a specialist niche, and there appear to be accountants that specialise in this area, such as

http://www.advisers4golfers.co.uk/caddies/

(Not that I know them from a hole in the ground.)

azzap wrote: »

I've accepted a job as a full time caddy having only ever done this on a casual basis in the past. ...

That still counts as work ya' know, casual or not. You should have probably registered as self-employed or at least declared those casual earnings.

Anyways, this is where you start

https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself/what-you-need-to-do

azzap

antrobus wrote: »

I am inclined to be similarly blunt, and ask what makes you think you know anything about the taxation of golf caddies?

As far as I can see, a golf caddy is generally regarded as being a self-employed contractor when they work for a golf club; thus it may not be any different when they work for a single golfer. I'd say that it was clearly a specialist niche, and there appear to be accountants that specialise in this area, such as

http://www.advisers4golfers.co.uk/caddies/

(Not that I know them from a hole in the ground.)



That still counts as work ya' know, casual or not. You should have probably registered as self-employed or at least declared those casual earnings.

Anyways, this is where you start

https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself/what-you-need-to-do

Thanks, very helpful. As far as I have been told, I am indeed a 'self employed' contractor. It's definitely a niche role, and as the earnings are fairly small after expenses I would be keen to do most of the accounting etc myself however I appreciate I may need some advice. Very helpful links, will look into it.

Aquamania

antrobus wrote: »

I am inclined to be similarly blunt, and ask what makes you think you know anything about the taxation of golf caddies?

As far as I can see, a golf caddy is generally regarded as being a self-employed contractor when they work for a golf club; thus it may not be any different when they work for a single golfer. I'd say that it was clearly a specialist niche, and there appear to be accountants that specialise in this area, such as

http://www.advisers4golfers.co.uk/caddies/

(Not that I know them from a hole in the ground.)



That still counts as work ya' know, casual or not. You should have probably registered as self-employed or at least declared those casual earnings.

Anyways, this is where you start

https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself/what-you-need-to-do

You can be as blunt as you like with me, dear. Although I must say I did not intend to be in any way offensive or confrontational to the OP, but if that is the way the OP does interpret my advice, I do apologise to the OP in that regard.

However, your post neither in style nor content tempts me to modify the advice I provided to the OP above.

If you were to consult the HMRC website you will see the factors that they consider when looking for indications that a person is employed or self employed.

I don't see job title alone as one of those indicators.

I do concede that the role of a golf caddy acting in the manner you first describe could indeed be consistent with many of the pointers indicating self employment.
However, the role of a golf caddy as described by the OP is quite different, and does, in my opinion based on the indication factors given on the HMRC website, suggest HMRC will consider the OP to be an employed person.