signing off jobseekers allowance

Belinda45

hi there, im on jobseekers allowance with a weekly payment of 96.80 as my husband works. my question is: I am sick to death of printing CVs and cover letters, applying for jobs and ultimately not even getting a reply to most of them - its the most soul destroying thing that can happen to someone who has worked for the past 32 years almost. I was approached 3 days ago by 2 parents who are looking for their children to be picked up from school and helped with homework a snack and be picked up by their parents about 5.30pm. I dont know how to go about doing this. i would be charging €50 per child per week so that would amount to €100. Is this a self employment case where I would be making returns to the tax office myself. How do I approach the Dept of SP. I am excited by the idea of it as I would love to be able to be at home with my 2 at least till they finish Primary School which is now only 2 years away. Hope Im not on the wrong forum and that someone will be able to help.

wmpdd3

You can earn up to 15,000 per year tax free if you mind kids in your own home, just let the social welfare office know, they may close your claim if you work more than 3 days per week.

LegacyUser

wmpdd3 wrote: »

You can earn up to 15,000 per year tax free if you mind kids in your own home, just let the social welfare office know, they may close your claim if you work more than 3 days per week.

you would be means tested on your self employed income but you must remain available for and seeking full time work.
If your partner works over 19 hours per week you could look into family income supplement or maybe the back to work enterprise allowance might be of interest to you?

Belinda45

I feel sure I wouldnt be able to get any payment as the payment im getting is already means tested as its allowance. the idea is to get off the live register but im a bit sceptical of doing this as then I would have nothing to claim at a later date. the self employment road doesnt seem to be of any benefit to anyone. i have a self employed brother who paid a fortune to employ someone who he had to pay redundancy to when business was bad and he works so hard and if he went sick hed get nothing. thats the scary thing.

SCOOP 64

Fairplay to you for taking the honest route, signing off and to pay tax, and think alot people would just take the €100 cash and claim dole.

Belinda45

to be honest scoop 64 the way the Dept are dealing with people out of work is scandalous and Id rather have nothing to do with them. whats my choice? its a tiny bit better than 96.80 per week and were not going to lose any type of extra benefits by my doing it this way. ive tried everything to find work but theres always someone that little bit more experienced/qualified its totally degrading so this is my road and as the poster above you would be allowed earn 15,000 per annum before paying tax as a childminder (though Id have to check that out to be sure) youd never know when one would get the name out there how it could work out. and also you could be sure they make a proper example of one if they got caught - never mind the ones working full time and on the dole, they never seem to get caught.

danjo-xx

were not going to lose any type of extra benefits by my doing it this way

You will probably loose out on PRSI contributions which you need for State Pension later on.

Belinda45

danjo thats my biggest fear, ive worked all my life and have nothing to show for it now anyway. this is only a short time measure till i get my two out of Primary School and then I would try for any hours as im only applying now for part time while theyre at school.

Belinda45

thanks wmpdd im certain they will close my claim as ill be doing this 5 days a week so cant see how they would keep the claim open for me.

LegacyUser

If you are self-employed you should be paying S contributions or if for some reason you don't have to do returns on your income you could pay voluntary contributions.

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Self-Employed-.aspx

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Guide-to-voluntary-contributions---SW-8.aspx

wmpdd3

More here:

All income should be referred to the Revenue Commissioners. Whether you pay tax or not is dependent on your earnings. Childminders who have voluntarily notified the HSE can avail of the Childminding Tax Emption on their income.

Details of Scheme

The exemption applies only to Childminders who are self-employed
The childminding services must be provided in the Childminder's own home
The Childminder may mind up to three children (under 18 years) at any one time, excluding the Childminder's own children. A Childminder could, conceivably mind three children in the mornings and three different children in the afternoon and still qualify
The gross annual income from childminding cannot exceed the limit (currently €15,000)
If two people are minding children in the same premises, the limit is split between them. Each is not entitled to €15,000.
A Childminder wishing to avail of the Childminding Tax Emption must voluntary notify to the HSE. They will receive a letter stating that they have voluntarily notified and this should be kept on file by the Childminder for future reference
A Childminder must submit an Income Tax Return each year, even if there is no tax liability
When a Childminder applies for the exemption in their tax return, their names will be sent by Revenue to the Department of Social Protection. That Department will write to the Childminder requesting payment of a flat rate of PRSI for the year. This is their contribution towards such benefits as Old Age Contributory Pension, Maternity Benefit, Bereavement Grant etc
If a Childminder does not apply for the Childminding Tax Exemption or is earning over €15,000 gross per annum, then their income is fully taxable. However, a childminder is entitled to deduct a variety of expenses which they may have incurred in earning that income before tax is applied i.e. toys, equipment, food etc. specifically for the children being minded.

http://www.northtipperarychildcare.ie/professionals_bec_bec.html