Hi
I am a stay at home single mum and claim carer's allowance for my 15 year old son with autism.
An opportunity has come up for a part time job and I would like to get back into the workplace. The job is ad hoc and pays £8 per hour before tax and NI. I don't have any set hours but it will be around 15 - 20 hours a week. I will have to use my own car and will get 45p a mile. I can manage this as I can do it when my son is in education or with his therapists. I would be self employed and currently don't pay tax (as I am not up to the basic tax threshold). Therefore I have the following questions:
How long do I need to work before I get a regular pattern and tell CA my hours and pay.
Can I deduct my car allowance from my weekly pay, for example if I earn £130 one week and drive 25 miles, can I deduct £11.25 to £118.75, thus going below the £120 threshold.
If I pay into a pension, does it need to be a recognised workplace pension pot (I don't have one). Or could I set up a highstreet ISA ie Marks and Spencer or Post Office and use that as a pension savings vehicle.
I want to work, but am petrified of going over the £120 per week limit. Some week I may do, others I may not so if I can use these deductable allowances I can be sure I am in the limit.
Also with these deductions I could work 16 hours plus which means I can claim working tax credits which will be an enormous help.
To complicate matters my son turns 16 in January so I don't know if I should wait and declare everything then when I have a pattern of income. He moves from DLA to PIP so don't know how that will affect my CA payments. Is it too late to declare my change of circumstances but have a record and do all at the same time?
Thank you for reading and your advice. I really want to start work again, for my sanity and confidence!
I am a stay at home single mum and claim carer's allowance for my 15 year old son with autism.
An opportunity has come up for a part time job and I would like to get back into the workplace. The job is ad hoc and pays £8 per hour before tax and NI. I don't have any set hours but it will be around 15 - 20 hours a week. I will have to use my own car and will get 45p a mile. I can manage this as I can do it when my son is in education or with his therapists. I would be self employed and currently don't pay tax (as I am not up to the basic tax threshold). Therefore I have the following questions:
How long do I need to work before I get a regular pattern and tell CA my hours and pay.
Can I deduct my car allowance from my weekly pay, for example if I earn £130 one week and drive 25 miles, can I deduct £11.25 to £118.75, thus going below the £120 threshold.
If I pay into a pension, does it need to be a recognised workplace pension pot (I don't have one). Or could I set up a highstreet ISA ie Marks and Spencer or Post Office and use that as a pension savings vehicle.
I want to work, but am petrified of going over the £120 per week limit. Some week I may do, others I may not so if I can use these deductable allowances I can be sure I am in the limit.
Also with these deductions I could work 16 hours plus which means I can claim working tax credits which will be an enormous help.
To complicate matters my son turns 16 in January so I don't know if I should wait and declare everything then when I have a pattern of income. He moves from DLA to PIP so don't know how that will affect my CA payments. Is it too late to declare my change of circumstances but have a record and do all at the same time?
Thank you for reading and your advice. I really want to start work again, for my sanity and confidence!