Permitted work self employed

Tonawanda17

Hi, i have been self employed on permitted work for years now. I claim an expense called use of house as office. Covers, light, telephone etc at £80 per month. This was agreed with the DWP years ago. On my income and expendire sheet i show this @ £80 per month then my wages - say £200 for example. My problem is that i have always just shown the total £280 as wages in the bank. Nothing actually on the statment for house as office but it shows in the figures from the accountant. He assures me that this is common practice with HMRC and even my eployment support worker assures we this is ok. Even saying "Please stop worrying" She even says "Its not your fault if the accountant gives you bad advice". My worry is if these bank checks come in will they think something is wrong even though i have had all the assurance in the world? Thanks

Albus_Scope

Hey @Tonawanda17 it's good to see you back again. :)

I'm afraid no one would be able to answer that question yet, as the bank checks are old conservative plans and we now have a Labour government. So I'd try not to worry too much about something that may never come to pass.

Tonawanda17

Hi Albus. Thanks for your reply. I just don't want any hastle as if i have done something wrong it will have been an innocent mistake. Thanks

Albus_Scope

That's totally understandable @Tonawanda17 but that's something that I'm sure would be able to be sorted (if it ever happens) as it's all above board. 😊

Tonawanda17

Hi Albus. Thanks. Yes, lets hope so. I've kept all my income/expendire sheets from day one showing my workings and a few days ago i asked my key worker and accountant for letters explaining it if anything came of it and they both agreed. My worker even saying "you were acting on the advice of an accoutant and its not your blame if the advice was not quite right"

Tonawanda17

I just feel alone with this. I surly can't be the only one to have made blunder on how to show expenses

Albus_Scope

As an ex self employed person, I know it's a minefield and we all make mistakes, so I'd not worry @Tonawanda17 if you have to explain it to someone, you have everything in writing too. :)

Tonawanda17

Hi again. Also, a few years back when i realised this might be an issue i sat down with the accountant and she now has me showing things in the correct way in the bank. Thanks

Tonawanda17

Hi Albus. Do you have any how long banks keep records as this happened ages ago now so it might not even be an issue depending on how far back they go. It says 7 years but just wondered if they keep for longer than that. Thanks

Albus_Scope

I'm not entirely sure to be honest @tonawanda17 it might be worth asking your bank.

Tonawanda17

Thanks, i guess it could be well over a year or more before we know what will happen