self assesment and maintenance etc...

[confusedmuch]

Hi, my only income is maintenance and benefits but for the last year I have employed nannies directly instead of through an agency. Staff are part time and through the whole year I have only once clocked enough hours to have to pay PAYE (I think it was £7ish tax). Do I have to do a self assesment tax return? Haven't had to up until now, useless accountants say no but they are quite useless. Been trying to get through to hmrc all week with no joy and can't put in a form without talking to them first to get code etc. Anyhoo have been through the website and think I am ok, maintenance has already been taxed and have no pension or income from assets; anyone else been in this position?

I did register as an employer and the accountants are my agent there, so was half expecting a request from hmrc to do self assesment but haven't heard anything.

I'm not sure I fully understand what you're saying, sorry.
You won't have to pay tax on income you receive through benefits & maintenance.
If you employ a nanny you should pay tax and ni on their behalf, as an employer. They're 2 issues.
It is possible for a nanny to be self employed if they don't work in perminant jobs or have set hours. If that's the case the nannies you've had will complete their own tax return,

No I had 2 nannies, now down to one. One that left was also student so was able to earn a certain amount before paying tax. One I have now does 2 jobs and is self employed for her other job so quite organised on all this but definitely employed by me for this job and earns total (both jobs) below the amount allowed before paying tax - i think it is 8.5k pa or something before tax needs to be paid?

This is my first year as an employer and I really don't have a clue that's why I hired the accountants but they seem to just not give a monkeys and make mistakes every single month so I don't trust them!

Sorry for being so clueless!

Is the consensus that I don't have to do a self-assesment then?

looking up p11s, I guess the accountant must do that?

am I right in thinking this is to do with the expression of nil PAYE to go through every quarter? I did get a reminder about that and apparently my accountants have done that most of the year but forgot the last quarter for some reason cos they are berks and had a nice chat with HMRC about that who said no worries just get them to do it for you so no debts mount up.

Can I suggest you use a nanny payroll company next year instead if the accountants. They sort all of this out for you and i expect charge less. Sorry, not much help now I appreciate
Hope you manage to sort it all out.

Was supposed to be getting direct payments (still waiting) for which an approved accountant was a prerequisite and just didn't want to make mistakes since have far too much on my plate as is but to be honest the accountants have made so many cock ups and cost so much I think I would be better doing it myself. I do a run a payroll spreadsheet and communication book so at least have a good record of hours worked etc.

will call emloyer helpline on monday and double check, thanks for help all, mn rocks

Confused, why would you have a nanny if you aren't in employment?