Self employed -one client

Rtj123

Hi
I became self employed last year as a handy man. I started doing small jobs for a family farm. Recently it has increased more and I'm there most days every week. I charge them for my services per week and they pay me by cheque. I generally do tidying, grass cutting etc etc.
My question is as this is my only client is this allowed? I buy my own protective clothing etc and tools that I need, things like a grass cutter I don't need too because I already have one.
Im new to all this and just getting myself out there and grateful I'm able to do this work and earn money. Am I ok doing this because I only work for one client on a weekely basis?
Thanks

Masomnia

Rtj123 wrote: »

Hi
I became self employed last year as a handy man. I started doing small jobs for a family farm. Recently it has increased more and I'm there most days every week. I charge them for my services per week and they pay me by cheque. I generally do tidying, grass cutting etc etc.
My question is as this is my only client is this allowed? I buy my own protective clothing etc and tools that I need, things like a grass cutter I don't need too because I already have one.
Im new to all this and just getting myself out there and grateful I'm able to do this work and earn money. Am I ok doing this because I only work for one client on a weekely basis?
Thanks

Don't see why not. If you're both happy with the arrangement and you're paying the appropriate taxes etc then there's no issue.

These arrangements get messy when the handyman wants to claim employment rights. Then it gets controversial.

Rtj123

Thankyou
I invoice every week for my work, I have yet to pay any taxes because I only started last year so it's only just come to the end of my first tax year (although to begin with i was doing nothing)
On a side note....I take it I receive a letter from hmrc telling me to do a tax return?
Thanks,

Mojisola

https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself
You’re probably self-employed if you:
run your business for yourself and take responsibility for its success or failure
have several customers at the same time
can decide how, where and when you do your work
can hire other people at your own expense to help you or to do the work for you
provide the main items of equipment to do your work
are responsible for finishing any unsatisfactory work in your own time
charge an agreed fixed price for your work
sell goods or services to make a profit

Rtj123

I'm hoping to gain more clients if I can in the future, but at the moment my time is spent doing work for this one client. I can choose when I work, when I have time off etc

asajj

MY OH has been self-employed over the last 7 months and only had one customer for a long time. Assuming you are looking to gain other customers and fit into other criteria, I don't see why you can't be SE.

Have you registered with HMRC as self-employed? I believe you can do it online as well as your self-assessment tax return. Their website also is useful and when you call them, they are helpful. So if in doubt, I'd give them a call too.

Rtj123

Thanks for reply.
Yes I'm registered as self employed and received a letter from hmrc telling me so. I just haven't received anything yet from them telling me I need to do a tax return.

Rtj123

I've also kept receipts for things I've purchased...like protective equipment, clothing, a few tools I need etc..

breakinthesun

You're self-employed. The relationship between you and the family is that of a business-customer. Your situation is not analagous to other gig-economy situations you might have read about like Uber, Deliveroo, Pimlico Plumbers.

asajj

https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns/sending-return
I don't know whether they email you to tell to submit your return.Call them if in doubt.

Pennywise

As a sole trader, you bear no risk of "false self employment" anyway. If HMRC challenge the relationship, it's your client/employer who'll get the bill for the tax/nic that HMRC think should have been deducted had they paid you as an employee.