VAT Registration affect maternity benefit

Hi All

Hope I'm posting in the right forum. I'm just wondering, I am on maternity leave at the moment, have got 6 weeks left, was made redundant from my job after maternity leave started, so now am looking at working from home as Avon distributor.

As this is a self employed position, I need to register for VAT - but I'm unsure if this will mean that I have to give up my last few weeks maternity benefit - should I wait the 6 weeks til my maternity finishes, or is it ok to get the ball rolling now so that by the time my 6 weeks are up, I'll be ready to start selling?

Thanks in advance

Neesie

I think the first thing you need to check is whether the law allows you to be made redundant while on maternity leave- see this link (about half way down the page) which seems to be very clear that you should not be made redundant in these circumstances:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/c...y/frequently-asked-questions-about-redundancy

Thanks deadlyduck. The company I was working for ceased trading, so I've no issues with them, but thanks for replying

Neesie said:

... As this is a self employed position, I need to register for VAT ...

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Unless you turn over more than €37,500 per annum you do not need to register for VAT, but you may of course elect to register voluntarily. However, if your sales are going to be to unregistered (private) individuals, there is no advantage in registering if you are below the threshold.

If you are unregistered you must pay VAT on purchases but cannot claim it back and you cannot charge VAT on sales.

Neesie said:

... but I'm unsure if this will mean that I have to give up my last few weeks maternity benefit - should I wait the 6 weeks til my maternity finishes, or is it ok to get the ball rolling now so that by the time my 6 weeks are up, I'll be ready to start selling? ...

Click to expand...

I see no reason why you can't make a few phone calls, read a few leaflets / brochures, visit SW offices with queries while continuing with the balance of your maternity benefit. As you have no job to go back to, I'd say it's a very responsible way to spend your time.

As you have no work, will you go straight from maternity to job-seekers or do you know?

Best of luck, HTH.

thanks mathepac. I met with area manager who explained that i would need to register for vat.

As for thr jobseekers i didnt think i'd be able to claim as i'm goin to be self employed, still looking into this. Need to see what my options are all round.

thanks mathepac. I met with area manager who explained that i would need to register for vat.

As for thr jobseekers i didnt think i'd be able to claim as i'm goin to be self employed, still looking into this. Need to see what my options are all round.