I know a few questions have been asked about this, I've been searching through them but I'm really confused.
I'm a director of my own company, established in October 2013. I have been paying myself just under the minimum wage for part-time hours. I've also done some work as self-employed (i.e. sole trader) since September 2013, earning about £10,000 in total.
I just discovered that my test period starts today. That's the 8 weeks before the 15 weeks before I have my baby (due on Christmas Eve). My company isn't earning very much at the moment, in fact I owe myself a couple of months' wages at this stage. I wasn't planning on paying myself for the foreseeable - i.e. I would put the pay in the books but not actually take the money out of the business as yet - but now I think that I need to pay myself quite well for the next 8 weeks or risk not getting SMP; I'm not eligible for maternity allowance because I am an employee. Can anyone tell me if I've worked that out correctly?
I don't have an accountant yet, I know they're the best people to ask but I'm stressing at 1am and typing this question on here is at least a step in the right direction!