Can you work as a self employed Locum??

Re: Can you work as a self employed Locum??

Jill Macdonald — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 15:56:23 GMT

Hey Gemma, glad it's going well!

I work as self-employed as have several things going on, and have done my own tax returns for the past 2 years. Only advice I would give is to make sure you log everything, keep all receipts and scan and save them straight away (in an appropriate folder on your computer!) and I use Excel and basically just write down all my hours, income, expenses as I go along. It makes it so much easier when you go to input the info to your return.

When you do go to do return, there are lots of HMRC docs to help you - I just save them, open them when I go to do the return and keep referring back to them, as there are some really complicated bits with questions I just didn't know how to answer - but once you've done it once it all becomes a lot easier.

I know that some companies will only allow work under an umbrella company though..

Re: Can you work as a self employed Locum??

Gemma Clinch — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 17:28:10 GMT

I have recently become I self-employed locum and had the same concerns as you....however so far I have found work absolutely fine. The only company who wanted me either limited company or under an umbrella company was Vets Now, which is no biggy as I have had plenty of work (touch wood) for now. I may be working for a branch of CVS who are going to put me through a temp contract (at my rates and the hours I agreed) as they had the same issue, but were very flexible. I have an accountant who will do my tax returns and claim back my expenses in April for a fixed charge, the company was recommended to me by a friend who used them whilst locumming. I probably could do my own, however for me this way is time saving and easier for now. I have a template of an invoice a friend gave me, but have tweeked it so I am happy with it. I give this in at the end of the month, and once I am paid I put 20% away for my tax. I really enjoy locumming, and love the fact I can be my own boss. I hope this all helps you :)

Re: Can you work as a self employed Locum??

SmegSlayer — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 22:00:17 GMT

[quote user="Sal the 1st"]

what about wear and tear on your bicycle? and RCVS subs, and uniform ( is it provided or do you provide yourself) laundering, professional insurance - if you have to pay for that yourself, BVNA membership (if you are a member) CPD that you pay for yourself

[/quote]

uniform i already had, laundering isn't an issue as my uniform just gets squeezed in with everything else, bicycle wear and tear would happen anyway as i use it to go to uni and into town- i fix punctures myself, i have no receipts for BVNA or RCVS membership for last year (not that I can currently find anyway)

Re: Can you work as a self employed Locum??

Caro Laithwaite VN — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 19:41:23 GMT

The ltd company laws are strict I have/work under my own.

At the end of the yr l need to make sure l have enough in for my company tax based on any profits from the year before the one l have just finished.

You have by law to have a chartered accountant to do yr end books and you are looking well over 1000+ for that, and if your books are a mess even more.

You have to keep good books, the laws are a lot more strict for Ltd company's than self employed or partnerships.

No you dont have to pay yours self min wage you do need to make sure that if you do there is money to pay yourself whatever you decide. l have missed paying myself before now in fact last month l was away all month and forgot about wages so just did a double this month placed in accounts as wage from September wage £ from October £ Other times l have taken less than min. wage and not bothered to top up.

You can take dividends out ... if there is money (ask your accountant)

Yes correct it is NOT your money it is the company money and not yours to use except under strict guidelines, you work for the company even though you own the company. need to make sure you always have enough in to pay your accountant, any company bills and company tax.

You need to speak to a chartered accountant not your normal local accountant they can explain the laws and problems and costs.

Re: Can you work as a self employed Locum??

Lovepigs2 — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 23:54:24 GMT

I think your right My accountant could not understand why they would not pay me as self-employed They wanted a ltd certificate proof from company houses. But ltd is a whole bit of sticky mess in a way My accountant said u have to be paye of ur own company So pay yourself min wage But I said to him what if I dnt make minimum wage one month because of holiday,sick or just pure bad luck of no work available He said that's when the problem starts Cos I have to have money in my business account to pay me my minimum salary So it could have problems straight away And then I said What happens if I make a lot of money one month The money left over in the account after my wage is payed to me is sitting in the account Surely I can take it out But he said no It belongs to the company So I have to use it for expenses I just dnt get it how ltd is supposed to be beneficial I'm getting minimum wage in the end and can't touch the rest of the money I worked for??????? So need another accountant opinion/advice Does anyone out there know more about ltd???

Re: Can you work as a self employed Locum??

Sal the 1st — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 20:44:06 GMT

Re: Can you work as a self employed Locum??

SmegSlayer — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 19:21:51 GMT

Can i just ask as i'm about to attempt my first tax return- I have no expenses- it costs me nothing to get to work as I cycle, I usually only work evenings so no lunch to consider and my electric and water is included in my rent (I am in a houseshare). Can you do a tax return with no expenses? I have no receipts.

Re: Can you work as a self employed Locum??

Alana Dent — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 08:34:27 GMT

I believe (and I may be wrong) that is about the business protecting themselves from any tax return issues.

If you are self employed, and do not pay the tax, I think they con contact where you have been working and potentially claim from. However if your a LTD, you are responsible for everything!!

Re: Can you work as a self employed Locum??

Lauren R — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 11:59:18 GMT

I've just started working as a locum, fully self-employed, no problems getting work - and I'm able to be picky! There's such a demand for RVNs I don't see how an agency is necessary... I am in London though. Sure some companies won't employ you as self-employed but there's plenty who will, including big chains, charities, hospitals etc in my experience. You can charge more per hour but still be better value to a clinic than an agency nurse (due to the fees agencies charge clinics). The money's in your pocket rather than an agency's... and I feel I build more of a relationship with the clinics as well because all the liaison through me. *shrugs*

I have my own VDS cover to be safe. It's worth paying an accountant in my opinion to help with all your expenses, saves you money overall. Keep receipts for EVERYTHING work-related and keep it organised. Calculate roughly how much % tax you'll pay and put it away when you receive each payment so you don't get caught short.

With getting paid, just submit an invoice when you want to get paid! I submit them at the end of each booking, or if it's a long one, monthly. There's lots of invoice templates online. I've been using Invoice 2 Go app on iPad recently, it's soooo simple, only takes a second and I can do it while I watch TV haha.

Re: Can you work as a self employed Locum??

Gillian Mostyn — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 09:14:49 GMT

[quote user="shell30984"]

Ive recently taken on a job through an agency as a self employed Locum Nurse?

The role is only one day a week, with the odd extra shift i can get. so its not really worth going through an umbrella company with the amount you have to pay them to work out your taxes for you!!

[/quote]

Sorry - I can't tell from your post - are you moving around or is this just at one practice?

The reason I ask is that there has been a real tightening up on this and if you are working at the same practice all the time, even for only one day a week, you'll really have to go on PAYE. The company saves money if you are self-employed (no NI etc) so it can be seen as a tax loophole.

Otherwise it is fairly straight-forward - you bill them direct and they give you the whole amount, from which you have to pay your own tax. Just make sure you put aside at least 25% of your income to pay the tax later!!!!!

Contrary to popular belief, HMRC are actually very helpful and really don't want you to get it wrong, so if you give them a ring they'll help you sort it all out! The main thing is to stay on top of it all and ask for help at an early stage.

Insurance-wise I only really know about vet cover but, to be honest, I'd be tempted to get my own VDS cover. Most practice-based insurance is only valid while you're actually working there, so can be tricky to rely on as a locum.

Re: Can you work as a self employed Locum??

Lovepigs2 — Sun, 20 Oct 2013 23:17:40 GMT

Hi Elana

I am having problems being self-emplyed, A lot of companies are refusing it.

why would that be?

They keep saying i either go on their payroll or go limited.

Re: Can you work as a self employed Locum??

Jeniflower — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:50:52 GMT

Hi Shell

I think there has been a discussion on this forum before re: self employment as a locum. - Have a cheeky search to see if it is fruitful. - if you know of anyone who is great at accounts or in that type of industy who you could call upon for advice- it is a bonus!

Re: Can you work as a self employed Locum??

dallinson — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:47:02 GMT

Hi I worked self employed for a year, did use contracted work to sart off then informed the practices that i was self employed so only needed to pay me and not agency if wanted me in the future, as already said I also invoiced weekly and kept copies for my records as well as travel expenses and anything I spent sdue to locuming for tax purposes. I had to inform HMRC I was self employed to get a tax code, was quite easy really. I just used word of mouth to get work and was as flexible as possible to make sure they re-hired me regularly. Good luck x

Re: Can you work as a self employed Locum??

Alana Dent — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:45:01 GMT

I work as self employed (providing the clinic allows) I type up an invoice each week/month -whenever i need cash really. It states that the money should be recieved by myself within 7days of invoice submission. I also have a contract i give to employers. Just stats the rate of pay (including if nights/overtime are to be different rates) the aggreed dates, termination policy's for both parties if we do not get along, and also they need to sign a part that says that as a locum, working in their clinic i am covered by their liabilty insurance. It will not cover for injury and sickness - but it does cover somethings.

My tax return, found a fab company online - you email across the numbers they ask for, and for £99 they do your return. They offet petrol/miles/living expenses etc.