Newly registered childminder

[Kate84]

I was wondering if anyone could help. I have just become ofsted registered, do I need to register as self employed even though I have no children yet???

[k1rstie]

Hi Kate, and welcome to the group.

Do not forget you are still occuring expenses even though you have no children, such as training costs, paperwork, toys etc.

kirstie

[JCrakers]

Yes, I think ( if I remember ) that you have 3ms to register as Self Employed.

Someone please correct me if this is wrong

[MrAnchovy]

No, you don't have to register as self employed until you start earning money, but you should register as soon as you do (there is no longer any three month period). You can still claim any expenses you incur when you do start trading.

But note that you won't get entitlement to benefits unless you are registered and paying Class 2 National Insurance - this is particularly important if you do not get Child Benefit (so that you get credit towards the basic state pension) or it is at all possible you may get pregnant (so that you qualify for Maternity Allowance). Class 2 National Insurance is £2.65 a week.

You might find this section of the forum helpful for similar questions

[Jo Jo]

Hi and welcome to the forum

[gizzybear]

my understanding is 3 months to register self empolyed with inland revenue.

[Kiddleywinks]

It used to be Gizzy, but they changed it a while back

[bunyip]

Our CM group had a presentation recently from HMRC's Business Education and Support Unit. We were told by an HMRC employee and self-employed specialist that you need to register asap and no later than 3 months of opening for business. She also said they take advertising and being prepared to take on children indicates a CM is "open for business" - so they may consider that you need to register before you have any actual mindees and therefore before you have any money coming in.

We were a little taken aback by this and questioned it as unfair. The HMRC person said that it at least gave start-up CMs th opportunity to register and pay NI so as to keep their contribution record going (DWP wouldn't pay it as the CM would not be classed as "actively seeking employed work" so unable to get NI paid through the benefits system.)

She did reassure us that the vast majority of CMs would be able to claim a waiver of the first few months/years of NI as their profits are expected to be low at the outset.

I'm not an expert - but this is just what an HMRC bod of managerial status told us.