Happy PLR day!

[barbarianoftheuniverse]

Or am I the only one left who cares?

What's PLR day? I'm a freelanceer (well, trying to be, anyway) so please fill me in!

It is when you get your sixpences from Public Lending Rights.

Huh? I'm definitely still in the dark.

no, lost me too - are they real old fashioned sixpences, i.e. 2.5 new pence?

Talking of self-employed etc. - have you all done your tax returns yet?

If you are a writer and someone takes your book out from a library you get sixpence (5.98pence) actually. Once a year they add up all the sixpences and tell you how much you've got.

I don't see how it can possibly be tax return time again.

so should I just take 8 books out every time, regardless of the fact I only want 2/3??

Yes yes yes you should.
Especially if they are books that you yourself have written.
It is a foolproof method of earning nearly 48p a day.

oh but it is, barbarian, it is - well it is for those slackers like me who leave it until the last minute to do everything and file on line. My only saving grace this time is that I really SHOULD be due a rebate and not actually owe them anything, due to being on maternity leave for about half the tax year 07-08. Hurrah!

that is interesting about the PLR now you have said it - I must instantly set out to write several books and coerce persuade many people to borrow them daily. Is it taxed as well?
Does it count if you are the Editor/co-editor of a book as well?

This seems like a god place to hijack.....

I am unexpectedly employed on a freelance basis. PLR eh? tax returns huh? that all sounds important. Something I should know about then?

oh. ah . books. right.

please ignore me.

tax returns apply to you too Slur!! But I am sure you know that..

right. yes knew that. now erm I suspect I should also do something with that knowledge eh?

Hmm.

Writer, illustrator, editor, whoever...
Get your name on the title page and you are in. 48p a day (nearly) for old rope.
Taxed though but thankfully the VAT man has not yet worked out a way of charging VAT though I am sure he boils his brains night and day in an effort to come up with a solution.

pmsl barbarian - wish they WOULD boil their brains!!

Slur, you have until the 31st January to file an online tax return. If you really haven't done anything about it, get going fast because you have to apply for a login and password, which they send you in the post. otoh, if you have been taxed at source (unusual for a freelancer) then don't worry about it.

right. eek. ok. thanks.

Slur, go here to read all about it and register for self-assessment. If you need to - the top link will tell you if you do.
Good luck!

Hi thumbwitch! Yes, I've decided to stay Merry for the time being. Thankfully self-assessment doesn't apply to me for another 12 months as I only went freelance a few months ago.

• I really, really hate doing it which is why it gets left to the last minute. Ugh, really should get started though...

Do a little bit every other day - you've got loads of time! Before you know it, it'll be done and dusted.

I'm sure I don't need to remind you to reward yourself with chocolate, now, do I?

you certainly don't need to remind me that bit mrsMH!
Yes, it sounds easy when you put it like that but you don't understand - I still have to collate all my bank statements and bills etc to complete my spreadsheets before I can get the figures to do the tax return. Which means going through about 5months worth of paper piles, one of which at least is bound to be lost somewhere (have tidied up at least twice, always FATAL to my chances of finding anything again) etceterAH, etceterAH...

Am so pathetic, really.