Issues with moving to become self employed

[TTlover]

Hi all.

I am currently a primary school teacher in my local area who has come to dislike my job (due to workload, well-being and high pressure).

I am currently taking an online course in dog grooming, with the hope of setting up a salon from my garden and becoming self employed next year.

I will obviously need to continue to work in education for the remainder for the year, plus be dog grooming on the side to build my experience and advertise.

I have set up a business page on Facebook and Instagram with a price list, in order to build my business.

However, issues are crossing my mind:

Tax man: I’m worried this will be classed as a ‘second job’ even though I only plan to do 1-2 dogs per weekend just to merely get my name out there.

School: if my current school find out, will there be an issue?

I’m feeling frustrated as I really need an exit plan for teaching, and don’t just feel comfortable to not groom dogs all year, nor do advertising and then go it completely alone with no money coming in when I eventually do leave teaching.

What do you all think? Thank you.

Well if you’re taking money for dog grooming then it is a second job. The good news is you can earn up to £1000 a year before you have to declare it and do a tax return under the Small Trader’s Allowance.

With regard to your school job, check your contract.

It’s not what you’re asking but are you sure am online course in dog grooming is adequate to equip you with the skills to safely and properly groom dogs in real life? It’s the kind of thing I would want my groomer to have learned in person with a hands on tutor who can assess them in person.

@TeaStory

So shall I keep quiet in the meantime and then when I’m looking like I’m hitting the £1,000 mark, declare it as a second job?

I’m just trying to test the waters at the moment , so don’t want to declare that I have a second job unless the money is coming in!

@RachelHasThoseInBurgundy on my weekends I am currently volunteering at a dog grooming parlour locally, which provides me with hands on experience.

I completely agree that an online course isn’t enough !

Ahh that’s good then! I had images of you learning from videos with no hands on learning!

That's not really suitable for a home based business in most areas.

Saying “keep quiet” sounds like you think you’re doing something ‘naughty’ but you’re not, that’s how it works. Make sure you keep accurate records of money coming in and going out and get ready to register as self-employed. Make sure you know what allowable expenses are for your tax return - the HMRC website has loads of guides.

There is information here: www.gov.uk/guidance/tax-free-allowances-on-property-and-trading-income

@RachelHasThoseInBurgundy sadly, getting experience isn’t a requirement apparently.

The course goes through modules online, you then need to practise on three dogs, video it and send it to an online tutor instead.

I’m doing voluntary work as I can’t believe that this would be considered as enough to then start running a business!

I was shocked to learn that you do not even have to be qualified to dog groom! Insane!

I don’t think you need to tell your current employer- it’s not going to affect your current job is it (for now). I definitely think you could do this from ‘home’ if you had a proper space/doggy salon. As for second job I would declare it when it goes over the threshold. Good luck! Xo

@TeaStory thank you!

So perhaps I’ll stick to volunteering and dog grooming one dog every other weekend, tracking the money I am taking in.

Just reading the link you have kindly sent over, my partner (who lives in the same household) is self employed- will this effect me in any way?

Many thanks

@sjxoxo thank you!

Just reading the link you have kindly sent over, my partner (who lives in the same household) is self employed- will this effect me in any way?

No. Income tax is individual, not per household.

I have a hairy husky if you need any new clients op?

The only disadvantage of it being a “second job” is that all your tax allowance will be used up in your first job so as soon as you earn enough to register you’ll be taxed at 20% (assuming that’s your rate as a teacher). So make sure you put 20% of income into a savings account till you do your first self assessment. You can offset costs against that income though so do also keep all receipts for equipment you buy.

I am self employed. I would say get an extra current àccount does not need to be a business one. Will just make doing accounts so much simpler if you do go over £1000.. You will only need to do very simple cash based accouñting in any case think list of payments received and dates and list of expenses and dates.

Well it is a second job, even if you're only doing a couple of dogs a week to build your reputation.

However registering as self-employed and completing your tax return is easy enough.