Mobile DJ - Do I need to Register as Self-Employed?

charlee1985

Hi All,

I am going to start working as a Mobile DJ along side my full time job. I will be probably making around £200-£400 per month so I was wondering if I have to register as self employed?

Does any one know what steps I need to follow and what do I need to complete? Also will I need an accountant?

Sorry for all the questions, I've been employed all my life and always did DJin as part time for fun, but I think now it's the time to start making some money out of it :j

Thanks

jobbingmusician

Yes, you do, within 3 months of starting SE I believe.

There is some very helpful advice in post 1 of the mystery shopping thread on teh 'up your income' board on this site

polgara

Yes and you will need to arrange Public Liability insurance. Lots of venues also ask for your equipment to be PAT tested.

Re accountant - not really necessary but can be useful

charlee1985

polgara wrote: »

Yes and you will need to arrange Public Liability insurance. Lots of venues also ask for your equipment to be PAT tested.

Re accountant - not really necessary but can be useful

Thanks polgara, I have already paid for PLI for a year. I just trying to understand which forms I need to fill and also whether I need to pay NI or not.

I pay NI on my full time job and I don't expect to receive more than £4k per year on my self employed job.

Do I just need to sign up as self employed and do my tax returns once a year, or do I need anything else?

Thanks

polgara

You will need to register as self employed and do a tax return. They are consulting at the moment about this being on a quarterly basis but at the moment it is annually. I could be wrong but think the Class 2 NI contributions only kick in if your profits are £5,965 or more a year

Smartsaver7

Yes, I did mystery shopping and registered as self employed and just completed a self assessment tax form showing additional income, however to be fair after claiming for mileage and printing etc tax wasn't much
I suggest you make sure to deduct what expenses you can to offset tax, maybe worth getting a session with a tax advisor or going on a tax advice Forum. I registered for class 2 NI as well

DCFC79

polgara wrote: »

Yes and you will need to arrange Public Liability insurance. Lots of venues also ask for your equipment to be PAT tested.

Re accountant - not really necessary but can be useful

Was just about to say the same re PAT tested.

charlee1985

So I guess with HMRC only thing I need to do is:

Register through here: https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/registration/newbusiness/introduction

and do my tax returns once a year.

Is that correct?

Thanks

jamesperrett

Make sure that you claim all expenses and allowances too. While you may think you are making £200-400 per month, you can probably reduce your taxable income quite a bit if you know what you can claim for. When I was doing this (quite a few years ago) I ended up with tax refunds as the expenses/allowances were greater than the income.

One other thing - don't forget PRS. You may be liable for PRS payments if you are playing in a venue that doesn't already have a PRS licence.

charlee1985

jamesperrett wrote: »

Make sure that you claim all expenses and allowances too. While you may think you are making £200-400 per month, you can probably reduce your taxable income quite a bit if you know what you can claim for. When I was doing this (quite a few years ago) I ended up with tax refunds as the expenses/allowances were greater than the income.

One other thing - don't forget PRS. You may be liable for PRS payments if you are playing in a venue that doesn't already have a PRS licence.

Hi jamesperrett

I claim the expenses at the end of the year right? So far I've put down Petrol, Business car insurance, Sound system, DJ Pool subscription, Facebook Ads, Public liability insurance, Equipment insurance. Is there anything that I've left out?

About PRS. I've read online that if you play at private events (birthdays, weddings etc.) you don't need PRS. Is this not correct? http://www.djsite.info/idx/0/054/article/DJ-Licenses--What-Licences-do-I-need-to-DJ.html

Thanks again.

Smartsaver7

Yes I was responsible for events at a club and any private parties non profit ie no entrance fee not included in numbers of events had to disclose