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MUST I declare earnings?

Hullo. I am an aged fella new to this internet thing so go nice and easy on me please. I have started doing gardening jobs for the neighbours the most I ever accept is a tenner and a cuppa. What I want to know- need to know is will I have to tell the taxman about these earnings? Dont want to end up behind bars at my age.

I currently have a British Rail pension and top it up doing my percy thrower impression for them next door.

My grandson James thinks that I will get in trouble if I dont declare the extra earnings. Help!
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Comments

  • fengirl_2
    fengirl_2 Posts: 4,530 Forumite
    Yes, you will get into trouble if the taxman finds out, but you won't get put in prison. No one on here is going to tell you it's ok to not declare your earnings.
    I want to know if you are single beacuse my garden wants doing and I love older men.
    £705,000 raised by client groups in the past 18 mths :beer:
  • vivatifosi
    vivatifosi Posts: 18,746 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Mortgage-free Glee! PPI Party Pooper
    Henry,

    I really would, because you've posted under what looks like your name and told them where you live... However if it isn't your real name... I'm with Fengirl though, good advice.
    Please stay safe in the sun and learn the A-E of melanoma: A = asymmetry, B = irregular borders, C= different colours, D= diameter, larger than 6mm, E = evolving, is your mole changing? Most moles are not cancerous, any doubts, please check next time you visit your GP.
  • lindseykim13
    lindseykim13 Posts: 2,978 Forumite
    would you tell the tax man if you did a car boot and made the odd tenner? in reality they tell you that you have to declare every penny that comes in but i'm sure some don't ;)
  • olly300
    olly300 Posts: 14,738 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    would you tell the tax man if you did a car boot and made the odd tenner? in reality they tell you that you have to declare every penny that comes in but i'm sure some don't ;)

    If you do car boots or ebay and sell your own used processions then you don't have to inform HMRC.

    If you do car boots and ebay, and sell stuff that you have sourced from another supplier then you have to inform HMRC.
    I'm not cynical I'm realistic :p

    (If a link I give opens pop ups I won't know I don't use windows)
  • robpw2
    robpw2 Posts: 14,044 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    according to british law ....
    It is illegal not to tell the taxman something which you do not want him to know...however it is perfectly legal not to tell the taxman something which you do not mind him knowing.

    this is one of those silly laws that has never been repealled however this answers your question


    Slimming world start 28/01/2012 starting weight 21st 2.5lb current weight 17st 9-total loss 3st 7.5lb
    Slimmer of the month February , March ,April
  • real1314
    real1314 Posts: 4,432 Forumite
    would you tell the tax man if you did a car boot and made the odd tenner? in reality they tell you that you have to declare every penny that comes in but i'm sure some don't ;)


    If you sold a load of old stuff at a car boot, you are not making money, you are losing it.
    You are selling things for £3 that you bought for £10. That is not a profit.

    However if you sell somehting for £4 that you bought for £3 that IS making money and should be declared.
  • Oh good lord, i didnt know you could use fake names - suedenims? on here. Can I change it to something sexier?

    Hello Fengirl, what do you want with an old duffer like me? I will be needing some of that Ciagra these people keep offering by email!
  • zzzLazyDaisy
    zzzLazyDaisy Posts: 12,497 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Henry, if you want to stay the right side of the law, don;t accept money. Just let them return the favour by helping you out in some way, in return. Perhaps by doing a bit of shopping for you, or giving you the occasional bottle of whisky, or taking you out for a meal now and again or maybe giving you a garden centre voucher, as a gift.
    I'm a retired employment solicitor. Hopefully some of my comments might be useful, but they are only my opinion and not intended as legal advice.
  • Notlob
    Notlob Posts: 335 Forumite
    Henry, if you want to stay the right side of the law, don;t accept money. Just let them return the favour by helping you out in some way, in return. Perhaps by doing a bit of shopping for you, or giving you the occasional bottle of whisky, or taking you out for a meal now and again or maybe giving you a garden centre voucher, as a gift.

    The barter system is also subject to tax you know!
    Notlob
  • Mikeyorks
    Mikeyorks Posts: 10,377 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi Henry ..... as the Chancellor has hiked your personal allowances quite substantially this year (you don't say how old .. but the 'Percy Thrower' gives you away!) - do you actually pay tax on your BR / State pensions? As that potentially makes a difference to your question.
    If you want to test the depth of the water .........don't use both feet !
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