how easy is it to register as self-employed?

i want to become a freelance PCV driver and work for few different companies but not 100% sure how to go about it. Also, whats the deal with paying tax and national insurance?

cheers chaps

 

Ring up your local tax office. Fill in a form or two. That's pretty much it. Last time I checked anyway (which was a long time ago now.)

 

Piece of wee wee mate, ring up the Inland Revenue and let them know what you plan to do.

Come the end of the tax year, they'll send you out the right self certification forms.

They'll also inform the branch that deal with N.I contributions. You can pay that by DD or quarterly. Works out about £35 a quarter [can't remember off the top of my head how much] for standard contribution.

Good luck

 

thats alright then cheers guys. ill get on the blower then. also, someone said that i'd be able to claim work expenses back like clothes, books etc. how does that work? claiming it back i mean?

 

Its really easy

Read this: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/startingup/register.htm

I literally called them up (had to do it after my first day of starting), they then set up my NI contributions direct debit, which is something outrages at £2.20 per week ( class 2 for now but increases depending on income to class 4).

As I'm in construction, I'm CIS registered and 20% tax gets deducted by the company I'm working for ...most are CIS registered. They then give you a payment certificate which covers is proof that your tax has been paid. You'll need a UTR number for 20% payment and that can take anywhere between 3-7 weeks to come through. Until you get that your on 30& tax deduction.

I think that about covers most of it

 

thats what accountants are for

 

Its always handy to know what kind of things people are putting in for in case you get a shit accountant