Photography on the side

[Jimbo_715]

Afternoon all,

One of those "Legal" questions,

I currently work as a full time Technician and I am looking to turn my hobby into a profession in a few years time.

If I am to offer my services "on the side" bearing in mind I am probably not going to be earning that much per year... do i still have to register as a business? Is there a cap before you have to register for tax purposes?

Many thanks for any help received.

JC

[markgozz]

I'm no tax expert but as far as I understand the law any income you may earn on top of your PAYE work should be declared to the H M Revenue and Customs ( formally the Inland Revenue ) as part of your Self Assessment tax return and they will then work out if tax is due on it , registering your self as a business is only really necessary for VAT purposes and is different from being self employed as a sole trader or a partnership . Like I say I'm no expert so you should really have words with an accountant to be sure about the legal side of things .

If your asking whether people do cash in hand work and if that's right or wrong then as a self employed person there is no way I would answer that in writing but if pushed then I would have to say that that is very wrong and you would never see me doing anything so dishonest .

Mark

[JonnyM]

No you don't have to register as a business but you may need to inform your employer if working outside of the company isn't allowed as stated in your contract, or moonlighting as it is colloquially known. My employment contract for example categorically states I cannot work on my own account without my employer's permission.

I agree with Mark that any earnings earn on top should be declared; working cash in hand undeclared is a moral and ethical issue (oh, and it can be illegal!). What you earn before paying tax will be on your payslip/P45 etc. That figure is usually reached if in full time employment.

I enquired about this subject recently and had some professional advice from a local company. The 'direct.gov' website is very useful if you haven't tried it yet.

Jonny.

[Jimbo_715]

What was the general comeback from your advice if you don't mind me asking?

[cosmicma]

don't forget your public liability insurance it could save you a whole lot of heartache should something go wrong for not a lot of money

[xavier]

Originally Posted by JonnyM

No you don't have to register as a business but you may need to inform your employer if working outside of the company isn't allowed as stated in your contract, or moonlighting as it is colloquially known. My employment contract for example categorically states I cannot work on my own account without my employer's permission.

I agree with Mark that any earnings earn on top should be declared; working cash in hand undeclared is a moral and ethical issue (oh, and it can be illegal!). What you earn before paying tax will be on your payslip/P45 etc. That figure is usually reached if in full time employment.

I enquired about this subject recently and had some professional advice from a local company. The 'direct.gov' website is very useful if you haven't tried it yet.

Jonny.

Hi jonny

If this is on ones own time, dose the boss need to know? is it any of the bosses bizzness? Yes the government need to know for tax and all that, But i don't see why one should let the boss know all your bizzzzzzz. one may tell out of curticy, yes but one may never know when or if the boss could be or turn into a royal stroppy so & so

[wavemachine]

Originally Posted by xavier

Hi jonny

If this is on ones own time, dose the boss need to know? is it any of the bosses bizzness? Yes the government need to know for tax and all that, But i don't see why one should let the boss know all your bizzzzzzz. one may tell out of curticy, yes but one may never know when or if the boss could be or turn into a royal stroppy so & so

Depends on your contract of employment mine clearly states if I do any other work even working in a bar I must inform them.

If you are looking to do it as a serious business venture then get some advice from an accountant as you may get some tax advantages especially if buying equipment or introducing your own equipment.

[JonnyM]

Originally Posted by xavier

Hi jonny

If this is on ones own time, dose the boss need to know? is it any of the bosses bizzness? Yes the government need to know for tax and all that, But i don't see why one should let the boss know all your bizzzzzzz. one may tell out of curticy, yes but one may never know when or if the boss could be or turn into a royal stroppy so & so

I'm afraid they do need to know if it is stated in your contract as wavemachine says it is in his. Yes you could of course not tell them but it may be problematic later on should they find out. Anyway, it's good practice to keep things above board legal or otherwise. You may find your boss will be more flexible with working hours or even offer work! Stranger things have happened.

Good luck.

[xavier]

Originally Posted by JonnyM

I'm afraid they do need to know if it is stated in your contract as wavemachine says it is in his. Yes you could of course not tell them but it may be problematic later on should they find out. Anyway, it's good practice to keep things above board legal or otherwise. You may find your boss will be more flexible with working hours or even offer work! Stranger things have happened.

Good luck.

Its a catch 22 situation. damed if you do, damed if you don't, either way one is snookered. its been my experience that sume bosses are rather difficult when one wishes to "moonlight" as it were untill they want you to do it for them:rolleyes

[jinky]

Not been on here in a while but just taken some Nikon mags on trial and thought I`d see what is happening when I saw this. I was in this boat when I went semi-pro a year or so back. I`d left work so no need to tell boss but if I had still been there was required to advise them in my contract. No issues usually - just a to do. You should legally declare for tax purposes. I have done so and have my first years tax return waiting to be done. I`ll not end up paying any tax on earnigns as the gear I have bought this year plus what I took in with me (capital allowance) will more than cover the tax that would be due in my first year or two of earning. When I got a job with a big construction comapny entering their preferred contractor list I was required to get public liability cover and I added public indemnity for weddings - costing me around £300 including cover gear per year. Soemtimes special deals at Focus on Imaging / first time sign up.