SMP - self employed and employed

[SLP88]

Hi all,

Looking to see if anyone can offer some advice regarding remaining self employed while receiving SMP from my full time job

I am employed full time working 45 hours a week. I also run a small dance school for children teaching round 5-6 hours a week and making £40-£50 a week on a good week which I have done for last 6-7 years while being employed full time at my current job

I pay taxes and NI by doing an annual self assessment on my dance earnings and was planning on only taking 6 weeks off dance so I could have a little extra money to keep me going while I get SMP for 6 months. However I have been thinking about this a lot and I am not wondering if earning by being self employed while getting SMP is wrong/illegal in some way?

I don't make massive amounts out dance and my earnings drop in school holidays, Xmas, when kids grow up and get new hobbies so I wouldn't exactly be lining my pockets with plenty spare cash as I have a lot of outgoings from dance - hall lets, petrol, insurance, subs ect

Can anyone offer advice?
Thanks
Sara

Yes you can return to your own small business (sole trader, self employed) whilst claiming SMP from your employer.

Maternity Action have a helpline. Their website is pretty good as well though I can't find the right page with the exact answer to your question: This one is about multiple jobs: www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnant/rights-for-parents-with-more-than-one-job/

3.12 of the Technical Guidance at HMRC however does make it clear:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/maternity-benefits-technical-guidance/maternity-benefits-technical-guidance
"If you do any work in a self-employed capacity during your MPP, then such work will not affect your SMP." MPP=Maternity Pay Period.

Thanks for that @nannynick xx