Can anyone help with this ? I really don't understand what I am doing, or if it is even possible.

[TheOriginalNutcracker]

Currently I work 22.5 hours a week in a job that bores me to death.

I'd like to go back to college in sept and also do some voluntary work to get experience in the are I want to work in.

My friend has offered to pay me to be her childminder. I wouldn't need to register with ofsted or whoever it is, because the child is over 8, but I would need to register as self employed, because I would need to claim WTC.
If I did this I could then go to college full time.

My friend would not need to claim for her childcare.

How would this work though ? Do I just ring up the tax office and say I am now a self employed childminder ? Can I even do that if i'm not registered ? How do I prove my earnings etc ? I'd be being paid the same every week and wouldnt be looking to take on anymore chldren as i'd hopefully be going to college.

I am finding it all very complicated though, especially as I am on partial benefits due to being a lone parent and would need to prove income for housing benefit etc.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Anyone ??

www.ncma.org.uk/childminders.aspx

Thank's TP

But as you say you don't need to register as you will be looking after children over 7 years old.

This is no different from starting any other business, and most of the information at Business Link is going to be relevant. For the really important bit, registering with HMRC, go straight here.

There is a a good web site run by and for childminders with quite an active forum, although like most childminding resources it is geared towards those registered for under 8s.

Anchovy
the friend can only claim the childcare costs if the provider is registered ....

My friend would not need to claim for her childcare.

OP in answer to your question, you self-declare your earnings, keeping receipts and invoices that can prove you earned what you say you did should you ever be investigated (unlikely). You have to keep these records for 5 years I think.

With WTC, you likewise self-declare to them what your earnings will be.

I don't have experience of needing to prove your income for HB, could you provide copies of invoices and related bank statements if you are required to prove your income?

I don't know if there'd be a complicating factor with being a full-time student and working/claiming benefits, but maybe someone else can advise you.

Good luck.

General information about self employment requirements can be found here...
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