Self-employed

[kizz898]

So, I have started a new job as a courier. I will be working for a company that has franchised its routes from main office.

I know I am self employed, I know what I'll be paid every 4 weeks, I just have absolutely no idea how to pay my tax and ni contributions. I don't know what to register myself as, how much to put away to pay what I owe or even how to find out what I owe.

[48k]

kizz898 said:

I know I am self employed,

Are you 100% certain of that?

Based off the brief content in your OP, the role sounds like it could be disguised employment and will set IR35 alarms ringing.

Your best bet is to talk to an accountant, show them your contract and any other terms & conditions and paperwork you have and take it from there.

[Frank Flowers]

kizz898 said:

So, I have started a new job as a courier. I will be working for a company that has franchised its routes from main office.

I know I am self employed, I know what I'll be paid every 4 weeks, I just have absolutely no idea how to pay my tax and ni contributions. I don't know what to register myself as, how much to put away to pay what I owe or even how to find out what I owe.

I'd be very surprised if they're going to give you a set amount per day, free of tax, in to your account paid every four weeks.

Are you sure you're not going to be paid through an agency / umbrella?

Whats the courier company?

[Eric Mc]

IR35 will not apply unless you have set up a limited company through which you run your “self employed “ activity.

However, the terms and conditions you describe regarding your engagement with your “employer “ indicates to me that you are not truly “self employed “ I.e running an independent sole trader business. The conditions tell me that you have little or no control over how you run your affairs and will only work strictly in accordance with your “employer “.
The good news for you is that, if HMRC ever decides that you have been wrongly classified as self employed for tax and NI purposes, it is your employer who has to pay any missing tax or NI.

Edited by Eric Mc on Tuesday 26th November 11:03

[Countdown]

kizz898 said:

So, I have started a new job as a courier. I will be working for a company that has franchised its routes from main office.

I know I am self employed, I know what I'll be paid every 4 weeks, I just have absolutely no idea how to pay my tax and ni contributions. I don't know what to register myself as, how much to put away to pay what I owe or even how to find out what I owe.

You need to register as self employed with HMRC. Then every year you'll have to submit a self assessment return to HMRC showing all your income, costs, net profit etc. The website will tell you how much tax you need to pay.

or just speak to an accountant - they'll do it all for you (for a price)

[MustangGT]

Other things to consider:

Who provides the van?
Who pays the running costs of the vehicle?
Do you have a uniform?

[Countdown]

Frank Flowers said:

I'd be very surprised if they're going to give you a set amount per day, free of tax, in to your account paid every four weeks.

Are you sure you're not going to be paid through an agency / umbrella?

Whats the courier company?

If OP is working through an Agency/Umbrella then the Agency/Umbrella will ddeal with all the tax / NI issues. If he isn't then the Company he's working for will want invoices.

[Frank Flowers]

Countdown said:

Frank Flowers said:

I'd be very surprised if they're going to give you a set amount per day, free of tax, in to your account paid every four weeks.

Are you sure you're not going to be paid through an agency / umbrella?

Whats the courier company?

If OP is working through an Agency/Umbrella then the Agency/Umbrella will ddeal with all the tax / NI issues. If he isn't then the Company he's working for will want invoices.

Yes, thats why i was asking. That will give a clearer indication of whats going on.

I cant imagine the courier company are just lodging a gross amount per week, paid four weekly in to their account without either going through an agency at least to pay the tax, etc or invoices being raised to them.