Proof of Employment for unregistered business

[Biohyt]

Hello

Can you please suggest me about whether there is any kind of form (which can be asked from the hmrc) that shows the exact number of days I worked as a sole trader, or the exact date I close my business ?

As I remember, there was a form which contained a sentence about active tax years for active sole traders but when business stops trading, is there such form to ask from the hmrc, which shows the exact number of days or months where the business was active ? Thanks

 

[DWS]

Your Self-Assessment should show the date you ceased self employment

 

[WaveJumper]

If not done already get yourself set up on HMRC then you can check anything re your tax

HMRC online services: sign in or set up an account

Sign in or set up a personal or business tax account, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, PAYE for employers, VAT and other services.

www.gov.uk

 

[Newchodge]

Hello

Can you please suggest me about whether there is any kind of form (which can be asked from the hmrc) that shows the exact number of days I worked as a sole trader, or the exact date I close my business ?

As I remember, there was a form which contained a sentence about active tax years for active sole traders but when business stops trading, is there such form to ask from the hmrc, which shows the exact number of days or months where the business was active ? Thanks

Did you notify HMRC of the date you stopped trading?

 

[paulears]

Would not the absence of self-employed income and expenditure on your tax return not be enough? After all, self employment confirs nos special benefits other than business ones, so the self-employment section really serves to notify them of your taxable income so you can pay it. When you earn less from self-employment, the system adjusts automatically.
Even your UTR is just a reference - you can have a return with no income or expenditur on it and the UTR doesn't vanish?

 

[Biohyt]

Your Self-Assessment should show the date you ceased self employment

Self assessment is prepared by accountants but I need a document given/sent by the hmrc if possible. Do you know such document which states the date of business closure ? Thanks

 

[Biohyt]

If not done already get yourself set up on HMRC then you can check anything re your tax

I already have an online account but I am currently trading so there is no way for me to see what exactly would my account show after I stop trading. Have you ever seen an online account which mentions about the date of business closure?

 

[Biohyt]

Did you notify HMRC of the date you stopped trading?

As the business is currently active, I havent. Can you please inform me about whether the date of business closure can be accessed online or offline (through a document sent by hmrc etc) ?

 

[Biohyt]

Would not the absence of self-employed income and expenditure on your tax return not be enough? After all, self employment confirs nos special benefits other than business ones, so the self-employment section really serves to notify them of your taxable income so you can pay it. When you earn less from self-employment, the system adjusts automatically.
Even your UTR is just a reference - you can have a return with no income or expenditur on it and the UTR doesn't vanish?

Definitely, but when overseas institutions are involved, there is bit of 'bureaucracy' and vagueness. From an international perspective, its hard to convince someone that the exact closure date of a business is inexistent; neither on physical or online format.

 

[DWS]

Self assessment is prepared by accountants but I need a document given/sent by the hmrc if possible. Do you know such document which states the date of business closure ? Thanks

Self Assessment does not have to be prepared and submitted by accountants (although advisable) hence the word 'Self'
If you are still trading then what exactly are you looking for?
Once you stop trading you put this date on your tax return, you can also contact HMRC and as long as you have no other income that requires a tax return then they will write back confirming that you are no longer required to submit a self-assessment tax return.
Or engage an accountant who once your final accounts are prepared and submitted would be able to provide you with a letter to show your self-employment has ceased.

 

[HFE Signs]

Self assessment is prepared by accountants but I need a document given/sent by the hmrc if possible. Do you know such document which states the date of business closure ? Thanks

Then your accountant should have all the information you need.

 

[paulears]

Reading the wording of your first post - you mention the days you were active? As being a sole trader is a status, you were active from when you started to when you finish - Many sole-traders did (and do) PAYE work too, so the revenue don't ever ask you for times and hours, just income and expenditure. Many sole traders have long periods of no work, and the revenue are not interested. I think you are looking for something neither HMRC or anyone else (including your accountant) can provide. If the idea is to prove when you were working, for some reason - then the simplest would be to provide invoices - the ones you generated to your clients - they prove dates you worked and also bills to you - they also prove you were operating as a business? The Revenue could generate documents about last year, but you won't have given them this year yet?

 

[Newchodge]

Perhaps if you ex-plain what you need and rouighly what it is for, we may be able to help. I cnanot think of anything you can get from HMRC that would be of help.

 

[Biohyt]

@DWS @HFE Signs @paulears @Newchodge

Thank you all for your replies.

I should have been more explanatory as otherwise you all naturally make predictions about the purpose of my question as its related with local departments, and then comment about the aimlessness of my question.

I need proof of employment with the exact date of business closure to prove my employment history to some private/public institutions overseas. I am currently asking on forums, to get an idea about what I will be experiencing in future.

While some are satisfied with the Self Assessment form, which will be prepared by my accountant after business closure, the others doubt about whether its really impossible in Britain to have an official document that shows the date of business closure. After all, SA form is not signed nor sent by anyone working at the hmrc.

My business is currently active so I cant predict whether I will later see any date info on my hmrc account online. I also havent heard from anyone that hmrc can send this type of letter.

Thank you again, for every comment you make.

 

[paulears]

The trouble is that sole traders don't have to file accounts, or have the sort of thing, you think they have. They always contact you in your name, then the business name and as the two things are the same entity, I suspect you are a bit stuck. Are you VAT registered> That provides a certificate.

I just logged in and while I can see all the payments I have made it is ALL in my name and the business name is not a part of anything I can download. I suppose you could always write in the post and explain that a client requires evidence that you were trading at a certain time?

 

[Newchodge]

The trouble is that sole traders don't have to file accounts, or have the sort of thing, you think they have. They always contact you in your name, then the business name and as the two things are the same entity, I suspect you are a bit stuck. Are you VAT registered> That provides a certificate.

I just logged in and while I can see all the payments I have made it is ALL in my name and the business name is not a part of anything I can download. I suppose you could always write in the post and explain that a client requires evidence that you were trading at a certain time?

Except HMRC will not have that information. They should be informed when a sole trader starts trading, but there is no requirement to tell them when it stops - some sole traders trade intermittently and all HMRC needs to know is their figures for each financial year.

 

[eteb3]

others doubt about whether its really impossible in Britain to have an official document that shows the date of business closure.

This seems right to me. I suspect you're running up against the common law / civil law difference: most places it seems you need to register before you can do business, so presumably there's an official statement that you've ceased business, too.

If all else fails try swearing an affidavit in front of a solicitor or (better) a notary. Possibly start with a "Whereas" clause where you explain the fact that there's no business registration in the UK. It might be good if they call themselves "commissioner for oaths" in the attestation.

If you go to the hardscrabble parts of town, shouldn't be too expensive. If necessary you can then have it apostilled by the Foreign Office.

Much simpler, when you tell HMRC online that you've ceased trading, they will let you print out the confirmation page. I can't find mine, but I think it showed what info I had given them.