What is a Self-employed carer?
A Self-employed carer is a person who earns from their own economic activity and works for themselves. If you have passion and experience working like a carer, it is your opportunity to become a self-employed carer, choosing your schedule, enjoying your free time and reconciling your work and personal life.
Benefits to be a Self-employed carer
- Set your own hours and rates
- Get a flexible schedule
- Autonomy and control of your work
Being a Self-employed carer has plenty of benefits, including more flexibility and control. It means you can set your own wage and not be supervised.
However, it also means you are responsible for keeping your own money and finances up to date. This includes checking your earnings, submitting tax returns, expenses and securing you are compliant with HMRC.
So if you follow the right steps then it will be easier than you’d expect. Managing money and being a responsible self-employed carer and taxpayer doesn’t have to be difficult. For this reason, from Cuidum we have prepared a simple guide that will be of great help throughout this process, and you can enjoy these benefits.
3 key steps if you are a self-employed
1) Register with HMRC
The first thing you need to do once you become a carer, is to inform HMRC that you are working as a self-employed carer – that is all. You just have to register for a self-assessment and can do it here:
HMRC uses its own system to collect taxes, if you earn more than £12,500 a year, as a self-employed. Otherwise, you may be exempt.
HMRC is available for any questions, is very friendly and has some great advice. Should you have any questions about your responsibilities as a self-employed carer, you can contact them on 0300 200 3300. You can find very useful information on this page from the government:
Otherwise, you may find it easier having an accountant who can do all this for you. Prices differ depending on personal situations and workloads, but generally cost around £150 & £200 a year (£12 to £17 a month, approx).
2) Keep track of your earnings
It is important to keep track of all your payments, so you can then fill in your end of the year Self-Assessment.
It is as simple as keeping all invoices and pay slips you send to your clients, as well as proof of another income you may have.
3) Keep track of your expenses
It is not less important to keep track of all the receipts and expenses you pay out while working, or in relation to work. This includes travel, petrol, lunch, shoes, gloves or aprons. So you can claim back.
If you decide to have an accountant to do this for you, you can deal with all the paperwork by email. It is not expensive and it is the easiest way to ensure you comply with HMRC requirements.
Live in care jobs: Your opportunity to work as a carer
We are a home care agency created in response to the daily problems of the elderly and dependents. We put families with dependency problems in contact with carers with experience, providing a live-in care service and thus ensuring a better quality of life for the elderly people and good job opportunities for the carers.
Looking for a job as a carer? Check our website and sign up for your next job:
