On a connected note I wonder if Windup or our other tax experts could advise the following...
Suppose Maria went ahead and did all the "correct" declaration of trading income for some years.
Would this mean that part of the house -the self-contained annexe used for business purposes - would be excluded from CGT-free sale of priniciple residence if Maria sold her house? That is, would that annex be regarded as a commercial property as it had been used for her "trade" for XYZ years ?
(I wonder how many owners of houses who let the odd room during holiday season really declare it to Revenue? )