Cafe employer wants invoice

fossil

My son has worked at an independent cafe for a few years. He usually lets them know hours via email and gets paid.

This week, after return to work following covid, owner is asking him for an invoice.

I find this a bit strange as I have only done invoices since I became self employed. He is now 18. Are they trying to avoid paying tax, ni? Apparently a younger worker has been asked to invoice too.

 For now he has emailed back to ask if there is a change in procedure and why. I've suggested perhaps they mean a time sheet. 

Any help appreciated.

kazwookie

Get son to re email the employer and ask why.

Only the employer can answer this.

Or maybe you go with your son to ask the employer.

If it is a time sheet they require, I am sure there are standard templates for such things on the internet, or ask the employer to provide some for your son

JReacher1

It’s a bit weird the cafe doesn’t have a record of how many hours he’s done. 

prowla

Is he paid PAYE?

fossil

I dont think they pay PAYE. Until recently he has only done a few hours at weekends etc as at school, and they pay money into his account. But suddenly now it has reopened, he is doing really long hours.
He has emailed employer to ask.

Potbellypig

kazwookie said:

Get son to re email the employer and ask why.

Only the employer can answer this.

Or maybe you go with your son to ask the employer.

If it is a time sheet they require, I am sure there are standard templates for such things on the internet, or ask the employer to provide some for your son

NEVER do this.

bradders1983

Potbellypig said:

kazwookie said:

Get son to re email the employer and ask why.

Only the employer can answer this.

Or maybe you go with your son to ask the employer.

If it is a time sheet they require, I am sure there are standard templates for such things on the internet, or ask the employer to provide some for your son

NEVER do this.

Indeed. He is 18, not 8.

elsien

Does he get a payslip?  

fossil

Thank you for replies so far on this.

Employer has clarified. Said he can either invoice, or go through PAYE system, but will end up with less money if PAYE. 
My understanding is that if self employed (invoicing) he will have to pay NI but only tax if goes above threshold at end of year. I don't know much about PAYE. Would he be taxed at standard rate, then claim back if too much has been taken:? Does employer have to contribute anything extra? He is on minimum wage for his age.

Employer also suggested hours will be more transparent if done through PAYE. However, I did check on here recently, and apparently everything is above board for his age/student status, so there is nothing for us to worry about there. 

If anyone can advise on this or suggest any pitfalls, that would be useful. I wonder if he is better protected with PAYE and if he/employer are actually allowed to opt out like this.
Many thanks again if you can help. 

Savvy_Sue

The employer is pulling a fast one.

If your son is on PAYE, the employer will be required to give him paid holidays and at least SSP if he's unwell. If your son earns enough, the employer will also have to pay NI (if he earns enough) and set up a pension for him (if he earns enough).

Your son is not self-employed: he can't choose what hours he works, he can't send someone else instead if he doesn't fancy working that shift.

If he WERE self-employed, he would indeed need to set aside some of his income for tax and NI, BUT he would also expect to be paid more per hour to account for the fact that he'd never be paid for holidays, or if he was sick, and he'd have to sort out his own pension.

fossil

Thank you so much.