confused re Maternity Benefit when self employed

[lozza]

Am a bit confused, started out as self employed this year and have just filed my tax returns etc. Am due a baby next week and applied for social welfare as I won't be earning for duration of maternity benefit. SW told me I would be entitled to benefit as they take 2005 as the evaluation year and I was in full time employemnet that year. Anyway got a letter from SW giving me the max weekly benefit but a friend has told me not to rely on this as it will be seen as taxable income because I am self employed?? Is this right even though I won't be earning anything from my own business for the duraion of maternity benefit??

thanks for any advice

 

[ClubMan]

Re: confused re Mat benefit when self employed

a friend has told me not to rely on this as it will be seen as taxable income because I am self employed??

Why does she think that when the following applies to MB:

1. What is Maternity Benefit?

Maternity Benefit is a payment for employed and self-employed people who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions on their own social insurance record. Maternity Benefit is not taken into account for tax purposes.

 

[lozza]

Re: confused re Mat benefit when self employed

Thank you thats what I thought. Did you get that on SW website?

 

[ClubMan]

Re: confused re Mat benefit when self employed

Yes - the link that I posted is to the SW website.