self employed status with revenue

I work as a consultant in media and have been registered as being self employed for the past three years. The jobs I take on are often over a period of 2-3 months and over the past year, only 4 weeks were ones I needed to invoice for. The rest were done on short term contracts with PAYE.

Up until the last year or so this system suited me because no one I was working for was offering me the PAYE system. Now that they are I'd prefer to change my status as a self employed worker and perhaps declare any jobs I need to invoice for as additional income. Is that possible?

My reason for wanting to switch back, is that I've gone a month or so at various times without work and claiming benefit becomes difficult and always results in a means test.

Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?

Hi there,
As a self-employed person with PAYE income too, I sympathise.
My understanding is that you need to be registered as self employed with Revenue, and complete a Form11 each year. (its easier to do on-line than on paper, once you have assembled the information).
Your posting is unclear - did you pay tax when you worked on those short assignments where you were 'contracts with PAYE'? If so, you will have P45's or P60s showing the tax paid.
Do you want to stop being self-employed, or stop being PAYE?
You would be paying Class S 'stamps' as self-employed (with a minimum contribution if your self-employed income is low), but they wouldn't entitle you to sign on, as far as I know.
Best thing would be to make an appointment with someone in Revenue, and work it all out.
When I set up on my own, 10 years ago, I paid an accountant to show me how to set up my books etc. (it cost half-a-day, but was well worth it).
The VAT limit (above which you need to be registered) is quite low too, so you need to consider that too.
Good luck

if you have been registered as being self employed for the past three years I presume you're already set up with the revenue as a sole trader and you currently file your tax return and pay your tax each year? if so you don't need to do anything to change - you can work as a PAYE worker and continue to submit a tax return at year-end to declare any additional income, your PAYE income will also be included on the tax return but no further tax will be payable on this as it is already deducted by your employers.

I file a return each year, which takes into account the jobs I've invoiced for and the tax I pay when working as a PAYE worker. I know I can work as a PAYE worker, my problem is I no longer want to be classed as being self employed but I'm not sure if this is possible. Obviously I'll have to talk to revenue.