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Getting paid for beating & picking up


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I may have the chance to do some beating & picking up on a local estate for this season. It is my understanding that I will be paid for this and is taxable. I think its around £30-50 for the day. As I am currently employed offshore and already in the higher tax bracket I don't particularly wont the hassle of the paperwork and a fluctuating tax code.

So I was thinking if I could donate my payment for the day(s) to a charity.

 

I am not bothered about getting a payment as I just would like the opportunity to work my dog(s) and hopefully get out on a beaters day at the end of the season.

 

Any advice would be grateful.

 

BBL

 

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I would speak with the estate first and find out what arrangements they operate. For example, some estates will have a special arrangement with HMRC where they pay the tax but the majority will not.

 

If you accept payment, no matter what you do with it afterwards, you will have to declare it on your tax return. Perhaps the best option would be to ask the estate to make a donation directly to your chosen charity, by doing so it would not involve you and you would not be receiving any taxable benefit.

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if the guns have a whip round I understand its not taxable.

 

I've thought about this and if the keeper gives everyone a raffle ticket and then an envelope with a prize would this not circumvent the issue as its a prize draw. Everyone's a winner.

Is this how you get paid for your day jobs? If these idea's actually worked, everyone would be paid this way, tax free..............

 

If this thread was about employees in any other industry not declaring income and not paying tax, I'm sure the reply's would be very different.

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Not sure of the inland revenue definition of an employee but if you "work" for only one shoot then I can see your point but if you are turning adhoc then isn't this more akin to self employment in which case surely the costs of travel, clothing, cleaning etc can be deducted against any income. Personally still think the raffle ticket idea sounds plausible.

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Not sure of the inland revenue definition of an employee but if you "work" for only one shoot then I can see your point but if you are turning adhoc then isn't this more akin to self employment in which case surely the costs of travel, clothing, cleaning etc can be deducted against any income. Personally still think the raffle ticket idea sounds plausible.

HMRC's long standing view is that beaters are generally employees, due to the working relationship between the shoot/gamekeeper and the beater.

 

Re the raffle tickets, money from the tooth fairy isn't taxable, perhaps you could get her to deliver the "prizes"........

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My shoot offers either un-taxed payment which needs to be declared on a self-assessment, or alternatively they pay expenses at a set rate which isn't taxable, which is for mileage, use of dogs etc.

The untaxed payment is fine, there are special rules that allow shoots to pay beaters without deducting tax. As you say, the payment is taxable and needs to be declared.

 

Assuming you are a beater, you can't claim mileage for your journey from home to the shoot, but if you do any mileage at the shoot in your own vehicle, you can be paid 40p per mile tax free. You can't claim expenses for use of a dog either, so if you don't do any genuine mileage, the payment will still be taxable. Just calling a payment "expenses" doesn't make it tax free

 

The rules for picker up's are different as they can genuinely claim to be self employed. The payment from the shoot is still taxable, but they are able to offset more expenses against their income.

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I've thought about this and if the keeper gives everyone a raffle ticket and then an envelope with a prize would this not circumvent the issue as its a prize draw. Everyone's a winner.

In short, no - you are wilfully trying to circumvent the tax rules, which can get you into trouble.

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You can negate the tax liability with travel dog food and housing the dog.

 

Take the money :yes:

Only if you are registered as self employed and putting those costs through the business which receives the payment for beating.

 

Either do it for nothing, or declare it.

 

I can see why HMRC are clamping down!)

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