Should I register as self-employed??

[sallyandmoney]

I posted about NICs yesterday but I think I should start a new thread for this. So, here you go, again apologies for being so clueless...

I had been SAHM for ten years until one day a family asked me to help their kids' homework. It was just one evening a week. But since then, they've kept asking me things like looking after their dog, doing casual housework etc, and now I work 4 evenings a week for them (but not through a year as there are times when I cannot work for them). The kids call me I am their nanny/practice supervisor/housekeeper/dog carer etc!

I earn very little out of it so I didn't think of myself 'self-employed'. But I am wondering if I am supposed to register as self-employed and make some actions to avoid anything becoming illegal (even if unintentionally).

I am hoping to start focusing on more teaching job after completing my postgrad course (6 months to go). I already teach the kids the subject and that's how it all started with the family. So, I am going to be self-employed at some point anyway. But my question is should I register now or later??

Can anyone tell me if I am doing anything wrong legally?

Depends how much you earn - you need to register and set up as self-employed if you earn more than £1000 pa.

You won't pay any tax though, unless you earn more than £11,500 pa.

That said, you won't actually meet some of the self-employment rules, I actually think you're employed! Which means the family should be paying you properly - with sick leave and stuff.

Yes, you need to register as self employed. It should have been done within 3 months of receiving your first payment. I would strongly recommend you seek advice from an accountant.

As someone else said,you may be employed (check the HMRC website for advice),in which case the family “employing “ you could be in trouble for not paying NI amongst other things

Thanks for the reply.

I don't think the family have any intention to 'employ' me properly. It all started so casually and we both are happy this way. They enjoy the flexibility I offer them. And, I am hoping to shift my weight on to teaching on a freelance basis once I finish my course so I don't really want to be 'employed' by them and would rather like to be self-employed. Why and where don't I meet the self-employed rules...?

However, if it is going to be illegal, I'll have to have a talk with them...

You need to check the HMRC website as I said before.
It’s not a choice, and their intentions don’t matter, if you fit the employed criteria then that’s that
Do you have other customers?
Can you send someone else in your place?
Do they provide the place of work and any items you need to do it?

If I count all the other things I do (mainly teaching) yes I have other customers. But they aren't as regular as the family. Some are just one-off - quick prep before exam etc. I can't send someone else in my place as I don't have anyone working for me. I'm just making a tiny amount of money by doing the service I can offer on my own.

I'll check HMRC website for more details, thanks.