Prolific Academic Survey Alerts

snowwhyte

You still need to register as self-employed and file a tax return. The form imports your regular employment income, you input your self-employment income and then it does the calculation for you. Prolific will notify HMRC that you earned self-employment income but it's mostly so HMRC knows to check if you submitted the self-assessment. 

Mum161111

I know that ignorance is no defence but this is beyond me.  My (modest) income is taxed at the normal basic rate and I am not a high earner.  There is an assumption that most people are 'good' with technology but many, like me, really struggle.

Do people, like me, have to register as self employed - or not?  I am confused.

elsien

snowwhyte said:

You still need to register as self-employed and file a tax return. The form imports your regular employment income, you input your self-employment income and then it does the calculation for you. Prolific will notify HMRC that you earned self-employment income but it's mostly so HMRC knows to check if you submitted the self-assessment. 

I’m still working on the basis that I’ll do it as and when they tell me to. 

snowwhyte

This has some helpful information.
https://community.hmrc.gov.uk/customerforums/sa/f691994a-df49-ee11-a81c-6045bd0abb89

Slinky

elsien said:

snowwhyte said:

You still need to register as self-employed and file a tax return. The form imports your regular employment income, you input your self-employment income and then it does the calculation for you. Prolific will notify HMRC that you earned self-employment income but it's mostly so HMRC knows to check if you submitted the self-assessment. 

I’m still working on the basis that I’ll do it as and when they tell me to. 

That won't wash with the tax authorities. It is your responsibility to file a tax return if you have income which is taxable.

silvercar

It only counts as income when you take payment, in the same way as a proper job only counts when you get paid. 

I found downloading from Prolific confusing, the bonuses went all over the place and didn’t add up. Far easier to download from PayPal and just filter the payments from prolific.

littlegreenant

The tax authorities will have access to your information for the first time in 2025 (for your 2024 earnings) and for each year after that. You can contact the tax authorities directly for more information on how they use your information.

As of 1 January 2024, this is a reporting requirement on an annual basis, to be reported after each year end.

I'm confused, are they reporting from April 2024- April 2025 ie the tax year or from January 2024, which will go into some of 23/24. It would make sense to report each tax year… 

snowwhyte

I don't think this needs to be complicated. Fill in the form for Prolific so they can do their mandatory reporting. If you made over £1000 last tax year, register as self-employed and submit a tax return by the end of Jan 2025. If you made over £1000 this tax year and aren't already registered as self-employed then register and file your return by Jan 2026. HMRC calculates your tax and tells you if you owe anything. You pay it. Prolific will let HMRC know you earned extra cash. HMRC checks your tax return to make sure you submitted it. You did so. All is fine. 

littlegreenant

snowwhyte said:

I don't think this needs to be complicated. Fill in the form for Prolific so they can do their mandatory reporting. If you made over £1000 last tax year, register as self-employed and submit a tax return by the end of Jan 2025. If you made over £1000 this tax year and aren't already registered as self-employed then register and file your return by Jan 2026. HMRC calculates your tax and tells you if you owe anything. You pay it. Prolific will let HMRC know you earned extra cash. HMRC checks your tax return to make sure you submitted it. You did so. All is fine. 

Thanks for this. Needed it this simple!

ele_91

elsien said:

I’m already employed, so I’m just waiting for prolific to inform HMRC and then they can do whatever they do and let me know if and when I need to do anything extra. 

I think this way trouble lies. I’m also already employed but take income from property and the onus is on me to register and file a tax return. Pleading ignorance wouldn’t work if HMRC decided to investigate my earnings. They do make it quite clear you are responsible for reporting earnings.