My problem is that I am a PAYE taxpayer who has got stuck doing a bit on the side. A tax return will now be due this year, and I want to minimise the grief, with which I am sorely familiar, having run a part-time business some years ago. The principal reason for discontinuing the business was the headache of tax and associated record-keeping!
Last year, I took on a bit of freelance consultancy work and received a modest €2,000 or so for it. It was more of a hassle than it was worth: I did it out of a sense of obligation to a third party. (I also did some work as a favour in the UK over recent years, with 'income', taxed in the UK, amounting to just a few hundred pounds.)
The freelance work has grown a little this year, and now that the economic climate has turned I'm reluctant to ditch it, but I really cannot afford to spend any time looking at self-employed tax. It seems to be to be either-or: either you are pure PAYE, or you are self-employed.
My question: is there any way I can avoid becoming 'self-employed'? If not, is it economic to consult a tax advisor in order to gain tax reliefs (I have no specific expenses other than household)? Or should I just swallow my pride, cut my losses, and pay income tax at the top rate? Any advice greatly appreciated.
(Note: this thread seems to be related, but it doesn't answer my specific question)
Last year, I took on a bit of freelance consultancy work and received a modest €2,000 or so for it. It was more of a hassle than it was worth: I did it out of a sense of obligation to a third party. (I also did some work as a favour in the UK over recent years, with 'income', taxed in the UK, amounting to just a few hundred pounds.)
The freelance work has grown a little this year, and now that the economic climate has turned I'm reluctant to ditch it, but I really cannot afford to spend any time looking at self-employed tax. It seems to be to be either-or: either you are pure PAYE, or you are self-employed.
My question: is there any way I can avoid becoming 'self-employed'? If not, is it economic to consult a tax advisor in order to gain tax reliefs (I have no specific expenses other than household)? Or should I just swallow my pride, cut my losses, and pay income tax at the top rate? Any advice greatly appreciated.
(Note: this thread seems to be related, but it doesn't answer my specific question)