Here's a dole-to-work scheme that I would wish on my fellow citizens:
Become a self-employed author (no deadline for finishing your book) or 
artist (you'll soon want to sell some pictures to make room for more, 
but it's not essential) or musician or poet or whatever.
No need to make a living from it, Working Tax Credit is your lifeline.

Everyone gains: the DWP gets you off the unemployed stats, you get to do 
what you enjoy, and the community gains because you'll be happier and 
healthier and cost the NHS less.

-- 
Sue @ Darkside Borough Council

Local government: whenever we look like making ends meet, nu-Labour moves the ends

On 1 Nov, 20:19, Sue <S...@darkside.invalid> wrote:
> Here's a dole-to-work scheme that I would wish on my fellow citizens:
> Become a self-employed author (no deadline for finishing your book) or
> artist (you'll soon want to sell some pictures to make room for more,
> but it's not essential) or musician or poet or whatever.
> No need to make a living from it, Working Tax Credit is your lifeline.
>
> Everyone gains: the DWP gets you off the unemployed stats, you get to do
> what you enjoy, and the community gains because you'll be happier and
> healthier and cost the NHS less.
>
> --
> Sue @ Darkside Borough Council
>
> Local government: whenever we look like making ends meet, nu-Labour moves the ends

Yes,self employment and tax credits do go nicely.
Just being an author takes patience. Not everyone sends you royalties
when you want them, publishers go bust too - messing up contracts.
And authors able to make a living from it (even with tax credits)
aren't common. For every successful multi-book author there are many
more who never get beyond a couple of books.
The book sold in Waterstones for £14.99 will usually give the new
author about 17p.

Still, its one way to have a holiday (researching book, of course) as
a tax deductable expense.
And a loss on self employment can be offset against employed income to
get tax back. ie £12K income from employment and £3k loss on self
employment means tax payable is just on an income of £9k, claiming tax
back.

You can be a lot better off with self employment. But the risks are
also higher, and cash-flow is more awkward than for most employed
people.

Martin  <><

On Nov 1, 8:19 pm, Sue <S...@darkside.invalid> wrote:
> Here's a dole-to-work scheme that I would wish on my fellow citizens:
> Become a self-employed author (no deadline for finishing your book) or
> artist (you'll soon want to sell some pictures to make room for more,
> but it's not essential) or musician or poet or whatever.
> No need to make a living from it, Working Tax Credit is your lifeline.
>
> Everyone gains: the DWP gets you off the unemployed stats, you get to do
> what you enjoy, and the community gains because you'll be happier and
> healthier and cost the NHS less.
>
> --
> Sue @ Darkside Borough Council
>
> Local government: whenever we look like making ends meet, nu-Labour moves the ends

is this a joke? It's november not april!

On 2 Nov, 08:41, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
> On Nov 1, 8:19 pm, Sue <S...@darkside.invalid> wrote:
>
> > Here's a dole-to-work scheme that I would wish on my fellow citizens:
> > Become a self-employed author (no deadline for finishing your book) or
> > artist (you'll soon want to sell some pictures to make room for more,
> > but it's not essential) or musician or poet or whatever.
> > No need to make a living from it, Working Tax Credit is your lifeline.
>
> > Everyone gains: the DWP gets you off the unemployed stats, you get to do
> > what you enjoy, and the community gains because you'll be happier and
> > healthier and cost the NHS less.
>
> > --
> > Sue @ Darkside Borough Council
>
> > Local government: whenever we look like making ends meet, nu-Labour moves the ends
>
> is this a joke? It's november not april!

Doesn't look like a joke.

Martin  <><

On Nov 2, 9:57 am, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
wrote:
> On 2 Nov, 08:41, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Nov 1, 8:19 pm, Sue <S...@darkside.invalid> wrote:
>
> > > Here's a dole-to-work scheme that I would wish on my fellow citizens:
> > > Become a self-employed author (no deadline for finishing your book) or
> > > artist (you'll soon want to sell some pictures to make room for more,
> > > but it's not essential) or musician or poet or whatever.
> > > No need to make a living from it, Working Tax Credit is your lifeline.
>
> > > Everyone gains: the DWP gets you off the unemployed stats, you get to do
> > > what you enjoy, and the community gains because you'll be happier and
> > > healthier and cost the NHS less.
>
> > > --
> > > Sue @ Darkside Borough Council
>
> > > Local government: whenever we look like making ends meet, nu-Labour moves the ends
>
> > is this a joke? It's november not april!
>
> Doesn't look like a joke.
>
> Martin  <><

Come on, there's no way the government are going to let people claim
they are self employed just to earn tax credits whist earning nothing
at all, other than the tax credits. even they aren't that dumb!

On 2 Nov, 11:53, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
> On Nov 2, 9:57 am, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On 2 Nov, 08:41, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
> > > On Nov 1, 8:19 pm, Sue <S...@darkside.invalid> wrote:
>
> > > > Here's a dole-to-work scheme that I would wish on my fellow citizens:
> > > > Become a self-employed author (no deadline for finishing your book) or
> > > > artist (you'll soon want to sell some pictures to make room for more,
> > > > but it's not essential) or musician or poet or whatever.
> > > > No need to make a living from it, Working Tax Credit is your lifeline.
>
> > > > Everyone gains: the DWP gets you off the unemployed stats, you get to do
> > > > what you enjoy, and the community gains because you'll be happier and
> > > > healthier and cost the NHS less.
>
> > > > --
> > > > Sue @ Darkside Borough Council
>
> > > > Local government: whenever we look like making ends meet, nu-Labour moves the ends
>
> > > is this a joke? It's november not april!
>
> > Doesn't look like a joke.
>
> > Martin  <><
>
> Come on, there's no way the government are going to let people claim
> they are self employed just to earn tax credits whist earning nothing
> at all, other than the tax credits. even they aren't that dumb!- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Ummm....they are exactly that dumb.
But you do need to do something. Can't just say 'I'm waiting for an
idea' and call it self employment.

There is nothing to say someone must have taxable income. Ever.
You could run a business on a self employed basis and never come close
to minimum wage. Or could make £15k a week. When the pay in a month
is low a self employed person knows exactly who to blame.

Tax credits can be wonderful. At times. When they actually get a
calculation right.

Martin  <><

On Nov 2, 5:11 pm, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
wrote:
> On 2 Nov, 11:53, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Nov 2, 9:57 am, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
> > wrote:
>
> > > On 2 Nov, 08:41, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
> > > > On Nov 1, 8:19 pm, Sue <S...@darkside.invalid> wrote:
>
> > > > > Here's a dole-to-work scheme that I would wish on my fellow citizens:
> > > > > Become a self-employed author (no deadline for finishing your book) or
> > > > > artist (you'll soon want to sell some pictures to make room for more,
> > > > > but it's not essential) or musician or poet or whatever.
> > > > > No need to make a living from it, Working Tax Credit is your lifeline.
>
> > > > > Everyone gains: the DWP gets you off the unemployed stats, you get to do
> > > > > what you enjoy, and the community gains because you'll be happier and
> > > > > healthier and cost the NHS less.
>
> > > > > --
> > > > > Sue @ Darkside Borough Council
>
> > > > > Local government: whenever we look like making ends meet, nu-Labour moves the ends
>
> > > > is this a joke? It's november not april!
>
> > > Doesn't look like a joke.
>
> > > Martin  <><
>
> > Come on, there's no way the government are going to let people claim
> > they are self employed just to earn tax credits whist earning nothing
> > at all, other than the tax credits. even they aren't that dumb!- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Ummm....they are exactly that dumb.
> But you do need to do something. Can't just say 'I'm waiting for an
> idea' and call it self employment.
>

THe OP seems to think you can. That you can say you're an author and
despite having no actual income or any proof of ever getting one as an
author you can apparently claim some tax credits!

i maintain that's unlikley.

On 2 Nov, 17:35, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
> On Nov 2, 5:11 pm, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On 2 Nov, 11:53, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
> > > On Nov 2, 9:57 am, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
> > > wrote:
>
> > > > On 2 Nov, 08:41, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
> > > > > On Nov 1, 8:19 pm, Sue <S...@darkside.invalid> wrote:
>
> > > > > > Here's a dole-to-work scheme that I would wish on my fellow citizens:
> > > > > > Become a self-employed author (no deadline for finishing your book) or
> > > > > > artist (you'll soon want to sell some pictures to make room for more,
> > > > > > but it's not essential) or musician or poet or whatever.
> > > > > > No need to make a living from it, Working Tax Credit is your lifeline.
>
> > > > > > Everyone gains: the DWP gets you off the unemployed stats, you get to do
> > > > > > what you enjoy, and the community gains because you'll be happier and
> > > > > > healthier and cost the NHS less.
>
> > > > > > --
> > > > > > Sue @ Darkside Borough Council
>
> > > > > > Local government: whenever we look like making ends meet, nu-Labour moves the ends
>
> > > > > is this a joke? It's november not april!
>
> > > > Doesn't look like a joke.
>
> > > > Martin  <><
>
> > > Come on, there's no way the government are going to let people claim
> > > they are self employed just to earn tax credits whist earning nothing
> > > at all, other than the tax credits. even they aren't that dumb!- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > Ummm....they are exactly that dumb.
> > But you do need to do something. Can't just say 'I'm waiting for an
> > idea' and call it self employment.
>
> THe OP seems to think you can. That you can say you're an author and
> despite having no actual income or any proof of ever getting one as an
> author you can apparently claim some tax credits!
>
> i maintain that's unlikley.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Being an author and not actually having anything finished can work.
But won't work for simply sitting doing nothing. Which is why I said
can't just say waiting for an idea.

Most of the new authors I've come across either worked while doing
their book or didn't need to work.

Don't forget, getting tax credits is basically free money but you
don't get the same freebies as unemployment benefits.
Things like having to pay your own mortgage, having to pay for some or
all of rent/council tax, prescriptions, and so on.

So might get more in tax credits than benefit cash, but pay out a lot
more too.

Martin  <><

On Nov 2, 6:14 pm, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
wrote:
> On 2 Nov, 17:35, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Nov 2, 5:11 pm, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
> > wrote:
>
> > > On 2 Nov, 11:53, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
> > > > On Nov 2, 9:57 am, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
> > > > wrote:
>
> > > > > On 2 Nov, 08:41, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
> > > > > > On Nov 1, 8:19 pm, Sue <S...@darkside.invalid> wrote:
>
> > > > > > > Here's a dole-to-work scheme that I would wish on my fellow citizens:
> > > > > > > Become a self-employed author (no deadline for finishing your book) or
> > > > > > > artist (you'll soon want to sell some pictures to make room for more,
> > > > > > > but it's not essential) or musician or poet or whatever.
> > > > > > > No need to make a living from it, Working Tax Credit is your lifeline.
>
> > > > > > > Everyone gains: the DWP gets you off the unemployed stats, you get to do
> > > > > > > what you enjoy, and the community gains because you'll be happier and
> > > > > > > healthier and cost the NHS less.
>
> > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > Sue @ Darkside Borough Council
>
> > > > > > > Local government: whenever we look like making ends meet, nu-Labour moves the ends
>
> > > > > > is this a joke? It's november not april!
>
> > > > > Doesn't look like a joke.
>
> > > > > Martin  <><
>
> > > > Come on, there's no way the government are going to let people claim
> > > > they are self employed just to earn tax credits whist earning nothing
> > > > at all, other than the tax credits. even they aren't that dumb!- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > > Ummm....they are exactly that dumb.
> > > But you do need to do something. Can't just say 'I'm waiting for an
> > > idea' and call it self employment.
>
> > THe OP seems to think you can. That you can say you're an author and
> > despite having no actual income or any proof of ever getting one as an
> > author you can apparently claim some tax credits!
>
> > i maintain that's unlikley.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Being an author and not actually having anything finished can work.
> But won't work for simply sitting doing nothing. Which is why I said
> can't just say waiting for an idea.
>

what's the difference? the tax credits people aren't just going to
assume you are working while you actually sit back and do nothing. the
system isn't going to just let you claim something because you say
you're an author!

On Nov 2, 6:14 pm, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
wrote:
> On 2 Nov, 17:35, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Nov 2, 5:11 pm, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
> > wrote:
>
> > > On 2 Nov, 11:53, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
> > > > On Nov 2, 9:57 am, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
> > > > wrote:
>
> > > > > On 2 Nov, 08:41, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
> > > > > > On Nov 1, 8:19 pm, Sue <S...@darkside.invalid> wrote:
>
> > > > > > > Here's a dole-to-work scheme that I would wish on my fellow citizens:
> > > > > > > Become a self-employed author (no deadline for finishing your book) or
> > > > > > > artist (you'll soon want to sell some pictures to make room for more,
> > > > > > > but it's not essential) or musician or poet or whatever.
> > > > > > > No need to make a living from it, Working Tax Credit is your lifeline.
>
> > > > > > > Everyone gains: the DWP gets you off the unemployed stats, you get to do
> > > > > > > what you enjoy, and the community gains because you'll be happier and
> > > > > > > healthier and cost the NHS less.
>
> > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > Sue @ Darkside Borough Council
>
> > > > > > > Local government: whenever we look like making ends meet, nu-Labour moves the ends
>
> > > > > > is this a joke? It's november not april!
>
> > > > > Doesn't look like a joke.
>
> > > > > Martin  <><
>
> > > > Come on, there's no way the government are going to let people claim
> > > > they are self employed just to earn tax credits whist earning nothing
> > > > at all, other than the tax credits. even they aren't that dumb!- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > > Ummm....they are exactly that dumb.
> > > But you do need to do something. Can't just say 'I'm waiting for an
> > > idea' and call it self employment.
>
> > THe OP seems to think you can. That you can say you're an author and
> > despite having no actual income or any proof of ever getting one as an
> > author you can apparently claim some tax credits!
>
> > i maintain that's unlikley.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Being an author and not actually having anything finished can work.
> But won't work for simply sitting doing nothing. Which is why I said
> can't just say waiting for an idea.
>

what's the difference? the tax credits people aren't just going to
assume you are working while you actually sit back and do nothing. the
system isn't going to just let you claim something because you say
you're an author!

On 2 Nov, 18:49, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
> On Nov 2, 6:14 pm, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On 2 Nov, 17:35, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
> > > On Nov 2, 5:11 pm, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
> > > wrote:
>
> > > > On 2 Nov, 11:53, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
> > > > > On Nov 2, 9:57 am, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
> > > > > wrote:
>
> > > > > > On 2 Nov, 08:41, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>
> > > > > > > On Nov 1, 8:19 pm, Sue <S...@darkside.invalid> wrote:
>
> > > > > > > > Here's a dole-to-work scheme that I would wish on my fellow citizens:
> > > > > > > > Become a self-employed author (no deadline for finishing your book) or
> > > > > > > > artist (you'll soon want to sell some pictures to make room for more,
> > > > > > > > but it's not essential) or musician or poet or whatever.
> > > > > > > > No need to make a living from it, Working Tax Credit is your lifeline.
>
> > > > > > > > Everyone gains: the DWP gets you off the unemployed stats, you get to do
> > > > > > > > what you enjoy, and the community gains because you'll be happier and
> > > > > > > > healthier and cost the NHS less.
>
> > > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > > Sue @ Darkside Borough Council
>
> > > > > > > > Local government: whenever we look like making ends meet, nu-Labour moves the ends
>
> > > > > > > is this a joke? It's november not april!
>
> > > > > > Doesn't look like a joke.
>
> > > > > > Martin  <><
>
> > > > > Come on, there's no way the government are going to let people claim
> > > > > they are self employed just to earn tax credits whist earning nothing
> > > > > at all, other than the tax credits. even they aren't that dumb!- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > > > Ummm....they are exactly that dumb.
> > > > But you do need to do something. Can't just say 'I'm waiting for an
> > > > idea' and call it self employment.
>
> > > THe OP seems to think you can. That you can say you're an author and
> > > despite having no actual income or any proof of ever getting one as an
> > > author you can apparently claim some tax credits!
>
> > > i maintain that's unlikley.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > Being an author and not actually having anything finished can work.
> > But won't work for simply sitting doing nothing. Which is why I said
> > can't just say waiting for an idea.
>
> what's the difference? the tax credits people aren't just going to
> assume you are working while you actually sit back and do nothing. the
> system isn't going to just let you claim something because you say
> you're an author!- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

The tax credits people just assume you are telling the truth when you
say how many hours you are working too. Especially with the signed
declaration.
They can't add up all the hours worked by watching you 24/7.

Being registered with the tax office for self employment probably
helps for claiming tax credits. I was already self employed for years
when I claimed.
 They don't know that my total hours is 29 and not 20 per week, until
I tell them of the change next summer.
No difference in income or award either way.

The system lets you claim because you say you are xxxxx self employed.
Can be selling isk on ebay, can be cleaning houses on a self employed
basis. Can be even delivering sandwiches.
There is no central watchdog that says you are not as you declare.

Come to think of it, they let us self employed claim what our income
is for last year many months before we do our tax returns with that
information.
Letting us claim something just because we say its £xxx income on the
phone.



Martin  <><

was kind enough to advise:
>
> Don't forget, getting tax credits is basically free money but you
> don't get the same freebies as unemployment benefits.
> Things like having to pay your own mortgage, having to pay for some or
> all of rent/council tax, prescriptions, and so on.
>
> So might get more in tax credits than benefit cash, but pay out a lot
> more too.
>
> Martin  <><


Surely Housing and Council Tax Benefit are means tested and bear no relation
to the benefit claimed.  If the only income is tax credits, then HB and CTB 
would be given at the full amount.
I don't really know about prescriptions but I suspect that tax credits is a 
reason for them being free.

On 2 Nov, 20:21, "Pendower"  wrote:
>  was kind enough to advise:
>
>
>
> > Don't forget, getting tax credits is basically free money but you
> > don't get the same freebies as unemployment benefits.
> > Things like having to pay your own mortgage, having to pay for some or
> > all of rent/council tax, prescriptions, and so on.
>
> > So might get more in tax credits than benefit cash, but pay out a lot
> > more too.
>
> > Martin  <><
>
> Surely Housing and Council Tax Benefit are means tested and bear no relation
> to the benefit claimed.  If the only income is tax credits, then HB and CTB
> would be given at the full amount.
> I don't really know about prescriptions but I suspect that tax credits is a
> reason for them being free.

Would they be given at the full amount? Or is the tax credit treated
as income?
Though I suppose it will depend on how much tax credits is. £50 a week
might not be much.  :)

Just getting tax credits doesn't give free prescriptions. Though I'm
given to believe that those with kids will.
The NHS tax credit exemption certificate requires something more than
simply getting tax credits. Plenty of us childless people get tax
credits and have to pay for prescriptions.

Martin  <><

On 1 Nov, 20:19, Sue <S...@darkside.invalid> wrote:
> Here's a dole-to-work scheme that I would wish on my fellow citizens:
>I have a genunine idea for a non-fiction book. I was thinking of approaching a specialist publisher. I have to say it never occured to me that I could claime tax credits etc. I thought it was something I would have to do evenings, weekends etc.

The gov wants to encourage self-employment of course.



 Become a self-employed author (no deadline for finishing your book)
or
> artist (you'll soon want to sell some pictures to make room for more,
> but it's not essential) or musician or poet or whatever.
> No need to make a living from it, Working Tax Credit is your lifeline.
>
> Everyone gains: the DWP gets you off the unemployed stats, you get to do
> what you enjoy, and the community gains because you'll be happier and
> healthier and cost the NHS less.
>
> --
> Sue @ Darkside Borough Council
>
> Local government: whenever we look like making ends meet, nu-Labour moves the ends

On Nov 3, 12:27 pm, scof...@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
> On 1 Nov, 20:19, Sue <S...@darkside.invalid> wrote:
>
> > Here's a dole-to-work scheme that I would wish on my fellow citizens:
> >I have a genunine idea for a non-fiction book. I was thinking of approaching a specialist publisher. I have to say it never occured to me that I could claime tax credits etc. I thought it was something I would have to do evenings, weekends etc.
>
> The gov wants to encourage self-employment of course.
>
>  Become a self-employed author (no deadline for finishing your book)
> or
>
> > artist (you'll soon want to sell some pictures to make room for more,
> > but it's not essential) or musician or poet or whatever.
> > No need to make a living from it, Working Tax Credit is your lifeline.
>
> > Everyone gains: the DWP gets you off the unemployed stats, you get to do
> > what you enjoy, and the community gains because you'll be happier and
> > healthier and cost the NHS less.
>
> > --
> > Sue @ Darkside Borough Council
>
> > Local government: whenever we look like making ends meet, nu-Labour moves the ends

no one has actually explained how this works. YOu cannot just claim
you are an author ffs.

In the Extra Info section of the HB claim form 
, 
ghostwhistler@googlemail.com writes
>
>no one has actually explained how this works. YOu cannot just claim
>you are an author ffs.
>

What's stopping you?

-- 
Sue @ Darkside Borough Council

wrote in message 
news:1194030824.800098.271770@o80g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> On Nov 2, 6:14 pm, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
> wrote:
>> On 2 Nov, 17:35, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Nov 2, 5:11 pm, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
>> > wrote:
>>
>> > > On 2 Nov, 11:53, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>>
>> > > > On Nov 2, 9:57 am, "mart2...@hotmail.com" 
>> > > > wrote:
>>
>> > > > > On 2 Nov, 08:41, ghostwhist...@googlemail.com wrote:
>>
>> > > > > > On Nov 1, 8:19 pm, Sue <S...@darkside.invalid> wrote:
>>
>> > > > > > > Here's a dole-to-work scheme that I would wish on my fellow 
>> > > > > > > citizens:
>> > > > > > > Become a self-employed author (no deadline for finishing your 
>> > > > > > > book) or
>> > > > > > > artist (you'll soon want to sell some pictures to make room 
>> > > > > > > for more,
>> > > > > > > but it's not essential) or musician or poet or whatever.
>> > > > > > > No need to make a living from it, Working Tax Credit is your 
>> > > > > > > lifeline.
>>
>> > > > > > > Everyone gains: the DWP gets you off the unemployed stats, 
>> > > > > > > you get to do
>> > > > > > > what you enjoy, and the community gains because you'll be 
>> > > > > > > happier and
>> > > > > > > healthier and cost the NHS less.
>>
>> > > > > > > --
>> > > > > > > Sue @ Darkside Borough Council
>>
>> > > > > > > Local government: whenever we look like making ends meet, 
>> > > > > > > nu-Labour moves the ends
>>
>> > > > > > is this a joke? It's november not april!
>>
>> > > > > Doesn't look like a joke.
>>
>> > > > > Martin  <><
>>
>> > > > Come on, there's no way the government are going to let people 
>> > > > claim
>> > > > they are self employed just to earn tax credits whist earning 
>> > > > nothing
>> > > > at all, other than the tax credits. even they aren't that dumb!- 
>> > > > Hide quoted text -
>>
>> > > > - Show quoted text -
>>
>> > > Ummm....they are exactly that dumb.
>> > > But you do need to do something. Can't just say 'I'm waiting for an
>> > > idea' and call it self employment.
>>
>> > THe OP seems to think you can. That you can say you're an author and
>> > despite having no actual income or any proof of ever getting one as an
>> > author you can apparently claim some tax credits!
>>
>> > i maintain that's unlikley.- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> > - Show quoted text -
>>
>> Being an author and not actually having anything finished can work.
>> But won't work for simply sitting doing nothing. Which is why I said
>> can't just say waiting for an idea.
>>
>
> what's the difference? the tax credits people aren't just going to
> assume you are working while you actually sit back and do nothing. the
> system isn't going to just let you claim something because you say
> you're an author!


They have no way of telling how many hours you work, you could be in bed all 
day for all they know. When you say you are self employed they take your 
work for it, just make sure you send in your tax return on time or they will 
fine you £100.00.