I want to work self employed part time, how do working tax credits and tax work?

[HowD]

I am a clueless novice.

Help!

In that case Universal Credit is going to hit a lot of women with DCs just trying to get by.

Also from next year we need 35 years of NI contributions to get a basic state pension, up from 30.

Thanks to all the PP.

I think this is becoming clearer for me now.
Also I've found this site very useful:
www.entitledto.co.uk

I am separating from my H. I think I can claim working and tax credits (starting my own business, working 16hrs plus a week, with 2 kids). It looks like Universal Credit won't be an issue until it rolls out to everyone in 2018? Is that right?

MrDarcy
How many years would you expect it to take to grow the business out of tax credit range?

Just that the whole point of the reforms is to get fewer, more productive, businesses.
If your business cannot survive beyond 2 years without taxpayer support, its not a business, its a hobby.

It's grim isn't it. Luckily with a bit of luck it might grow quite quickly. Otherwise I guess I'll have to try something else