Opting out of PAYE

Boatservesafety

I’m now receiving the state pension since January. I was working for the uk limited company owned by an Italian company until June and then converted to a zero hours contract so I could refuse some jobs. 

I’m also self employed for over five years making canal boat safety inspections which entails a self assessment every year. The Italian company want to either wind up the uk company to save costs as I’m the only employee or have me ‘contracting’ to them alongside the boat work. Insurance rules that out.
can I remain on zero hours and pay all my tax through self assessment?

DullGreyGuy

No because that would be the contracting option which you say doesn't work because of insurance. 

The other option is to be a contractor but via an umbrella company in which case the umbrella as your employer will deal with insurances but you still will get net pay. This makes you liable for the employers NI, apprentice surcharge and the umbrella's weekly/monthly fee so would need to negotiate an uplift in rate to stay level in take home pay.

Sarahspangles

Boatservesafety said:

I’m now receiving the state pension since January. I was working for the uk limited company owned by an Italian company until June and then converted to a zero hours contract so I could refuse some jobs. 

I’m also self employed for over five years making canal boat safety inspections which entails a self assessment every year. The Italian company want to either wind up the uk company to save costs as I’m the only employee or have me ‘contracting’ to them alongside the boat work. Insurance rules that out.
can I remain on zero hours and pay all my tax through self assessment?

It sounds as though the company want to close their UK payroll arrangement - presumably they outsource this.  There will be employer returns whether or not you work and probably a retainer or minimum charge.  So if you're not willing to set up/insure as a contractor you need someone else to employ you and supply you on contract.  Who would they go to if you aren't available?