Two metres. Two Standing Charges.

ZZaffy

tightauldgit said:

ZZaffy said:

matt_drummer said:

It seems you don't need two separate supplies hence you don't need the second meter. 

Now the fun might begin when you attempt to extract yourself from your commercial energy supply contract - are you tied into a fixed term? Can you disconnect the supply without any penalties?

I will contact both companies again.  So far, they have been of no help. Will report back.  

ZZaffy

Okay thanks Matt.
I will speak to someone who knows more than me.  (I only know a little more about tax than I do about electrics)
Because I know only a little more about horses than I do about tax and electrics, the stable girl determines what hours and what needs doing. Thought because of this, I am not classed as her employer.  Must say, the person who gave me that advise was again no expert.  Life is so complex.

matt_drummer

ZZaffy said:

Okay thanks Matt.
I will speak to someone who knows more than me.  (I only know a little more about tax than I do about electrics)
Because I know only a little more about horses than I do about tax and electrics, the stable girl determines what hours and what needs doing. Thought because of this, I am not classed as her employer.  Must say, the person who gave me that advise was again no expert.  Life is so complex.

Well, it may be fine as it is and this is not the place for me to give you formal advice.

Just something to be aware of.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

is the stable girl 'on the books' or paid buckshee, if on the books, then you are running a business.

matt_drummer

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

is the stable girl 'on the books' or paid buckshee, if on the books, then you are running a business.

They are running a business because they are carrying on an activity with a view to making a profit.

How staff are paid does not determine whether it is a business.

Do you have any formal accountancy training?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

matt_drummer said:

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

is the stable girl 'on the books' or paid buckshee, if on the books, then you are running a business.

Do you have any formal accountancy training?

oh, gosh no, just thought that a person on the books would need to be accountable to HMRC.

matt_drummer

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

matt_drummer said:

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

is the stable girl 'on the books' or paid buckshee, if on the books, then you are running a business.

Do you have any formal accountancy training?

oh, gosh no, just thought that a person on the books would need to be accountable to HMRC.

No offence intended towards you.

`On the books' is a bit of a laymans term and as we had been discussing and advising in a professional way I didn't think the comment was particularly appropriate.

On  the books can mean all sorts of things, but maybe you mean an official employee all properly recorded with HMRC?

A business is still a business whether it has employees paid through the PAYE system, wholly subcontractors or just the owner working as a sole trader.

I am sure you are trying to help but I fear it is helpful advice like this that has left the OP a bit confused.

ZZaffy

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

is the stable girl 'on the books' or paid buckshee, if on the books, then you are running a business.

The stable girl, she will be flattered, she is in her 30's, is paid slightly above minimum wage.  She has another business as a chef, but horses are her passion.  Her wage is paid from my bank to her bank so there is nothing hidden away.  I understand that her tax arrangement is not my responsibility, but I could be wrong, I usually am.

macman

The stable girl appears to be a self employed contractor. She has another job, and determines her own hours, which are not fixed. The Op does not deduct PAYE or NI.

matt_drummer

macman said:

The stable girl appears to be a self employed contractor. She has another job, and determines her own hours, which are not fixed. The Op does not deduct PAYE or NI.

Having another job does not mean that this one is not an employment.

She works 16 hours a week, at least, sometimes more.

I would assume that she is not offering her services to other livery owners?

Those are not the only tests of employment, the fact that it is at a set place is a big test, whether she could send somebody else in her place is another as is whether the services provided are offered and supplied to others.

I can vary my start and finish times at work, go in when I like, as long as I do my work nobody cares, but I am defenately an employee.

She sounds like an employee to me.