Can I do freelance work while on maternity leave from my job?

[Dollybow1]

Im 4 months into Mat leave with current employee and I have been asked from an external company which I have worked for preciously to do some freelancer work for them. Is this something I am allowed to do or do I need to wait after my Mat leave is finished? The extra money would be so helpful as my partner has just lost his job and we are solely relying on my wages which has now become very stressful.

Take a look at your contract.

In my last place it was written into my contract that I couldn’t take on any other paid work, not just on ML but generally. I did some freelance work during Covid, just never told anyone about it.

Yep, you’ll have to check your contract and mat leave terms I’m afraid. It really does depend on the employer.

I will have a look at my contract, I thought it would be more that because I was receiving SMP that I couldn't do any other work.

Also wondering how would they find out? Suppose it's luck of the draw.

I dont really even want to ideally start freelancing but we have just had twins and they are 10 weeks old And my partner is jobless. Havent slept for days with the worry of money x

I will have a look at my contract, I thought it would be more that because I was receiving SMP that I couldn't do any other work.
Also wondering how would they find out? Suppose it's luck of the draw.
I dont really even want to ideally start freelancing but we have just had twins and they are 10 weeks old And my partner is jobless. Havent slept for days with the worry of money x

From the point of view of SMP, you’d be best to ask HMRC directly. I’ve a feeling you’re allowed a certain number of days’ work, but it’s not very many - and I could be wrong about that. I’ve always found HMRC very helpful when I’ve contacted them; I think there’s an email address or contact form on their website.

As others have said, check your work contract too - if it says you can’t work, it might be worth contacting them and asking for an exception since your husband is at home and can presumably do childcare. As you say, they’re unlikely to find out, but you never know who has contacts where!

If you’re planning to declare/tax this income it would come out anyway, not many options to hide it? My situation is different because I was freelancing when I went on maternity leave, but I was allowed to work 10 days during my maternity leave without maternity pay being affected, maybe there is something similar available for you?

sorry your finding yourself in this tight spot

my advice would depend v much on how likely it us that it could negatively impact on your current job?

if there was a risk you could get sacked then id not risk it

can you ho back to work and DH stay at home ?

Yes I need to look into my contract and see what it states, I know I work with people who have their own business etc on the side but everyone contact is very different and they could of well had these in place before they started to work there.

I know it is so stressful, money just causes the worse stress and ive got 2 babies here aswell, the pressure is so much. My parter is looking for work but just not sure when it when happen or when his next payment will come through. Just was that someone reached out to me asking if I could do some work but looks like it wont be possible.

Yes I think it is best that I call them and see what is allowed, wouldn't want to be left unstuck with anything.

Thank you x

Yes I think everyone is allowed 10 days without pay being effected, I wasnt sure if was allowed to freelance and that pay the tax on what ive earned without MP being effecting, but looks like it would be!

Thank you x

If you're receiving SMP you can do genuine self employed work (not for your current employer obviously, for various reasons) and it won't impact your SMP. This isn't the case for maternity allowance.

But as others have said, whether you're violating the terms of your employment contract by doing so is another matter.

Ah really this would be great news! So if I was to check my contract and I was allowed to work externally I would be okay to work freelancing without my SMP being deducted or effected?

Yes, exactly.

Ahh brilliant, i'm going to look through my contract right now.

I would then just fill out self assessment end of the tax year or would this be something I need to sort each month?

Such good news thank you so much

I checked and I am able to work outside working hours, so im guessing this is the green light!

Providing you are planning to turn over more than £1,000 in the tax year, yes, you'll need to register for self assessment. Currently it'll be one tax return per year but MTD means if you reach certain thresholds you'll be sending quarterly returns as well as a final self assessment. The threshold for the coming year is £50k self employment turnover, the year after it's £30k. Not sure what you're expecting to earn from your self employment though, or if it's going to be longer term after you return to work.

Worth getting the above checked though, I'm a chartered accountant but I work in-house now so this side of accounting isn't day to day for me anymore.

Oh I wish I was turning over this amount, but it would be more than £1,000 would I need to start the self assessment now or at the end of the tax year?

I will maybe do some research on this, thank you again I feel relief that I can get some extra money in to tie us over and hopefully I dont need to do it for any longer than a few months.

It's per tax year, so you're a few days away from the 2025/26 tax year, nothing to do for that.

If you're planning on turning over more than £1,000 in 2026/27 tax year (06/04/26 - 05/04/27) you'll need to register for self assessment at that point, when you become self employed.

Your tax return for that period would be due by 31/03/28, but don't leave it late because there's inevitably issues getting access codes to file your tax return online etc.

You can do self employed work as much as you like while claiming SMP from your PAYE employer.

where people are talking about a 10 day limit they mean keeping in touch days which are limited. You could look into shared parental leave which would entitle you to 20 kit days but it’s a bit more complicated. Your employer has to agree kit day payment

Have you looked at making a claim with universal credit? There is a website called turn2us (you’ll find it on google), just input all yours and your partners details and it will tell you how much you are entitled to. Good luck x

I freelanced whilst on maternity pay, but I wasn’t on-staff somewhere. My accountant didn’t query and HMRC didn’t raise. I’d probably do it in your position.

Wouldn’t it be better to opt to share your parental leave? You go back to work while dad cares for baby and looks for a job.

Firstly, this all sounds very stressful and I hope I can help.

This is more important than your question….As your partner is currently unemployed and you are on SML you would be entitled to Universal credit. Please check this. if you are renting this may also cover your rent.

Are you registered as self employed? Would the work earn you £1000 or more? If the answer is no, you won’t need to register as self employed anyway

Is the freelance work for a similar or competing business?

if you want to chat to someone who has been there and done that and has a TON of useful money tips for you, message me at either thevisualnarrator or kentcountrygirl xxxx

@Dollybow1 just wanted to say how sorry I am for you to be in this position when you should be enjoying your new born twins and a genuine maternity leave.
I'm sure you don't need to worry at all about your SMP, what you propose is within the rules.
If taking on the freelance work will relieve some of your immediate anxieties then make sure your DP really steps up with everything else that's involved with newborn twins.
You won't need to submit a tax return until January 2028 (for the April 2026 - April 2027 tax year). Just make sure you put aside 30% of your earnings where you won't touch it until then to cover the tax and NI that will be due. (If you are back in employment by April 2027 you won't need to pay anything more on account if your self employment has ended.)
And really look after yourself. Good luck with it all.

I’m sorry you’re in this situation. I don’t know the answer to your questions, but I would recommend getting your contract out and getting some free advice through Citizens Advice.