Hello, please advice if you can.

[SamCJ]

Hello everyone, so in my workplace there are about 60/70 immigrants who speak little to no English but they speak some Italian and I’m fluent in Italian so whenever they need help with feeling forms up or even calling the bank/hospital/GP, they always ask me to help them and I always do because when I was a kid I was taught that you have help those in need, if you are able to help. Every other day, there is always one who needs my help with something and I help them and I did so for the past 6 months but then my manager asked me to stop helping them in the workplace and if I want to help them, I should do so on my own time. When the next person asked me to help him, I just said “I’m sorry but I’m not allowed to help you in the workplace”. So they all started panicking and now they are even offering money if I help them outside the workplace. Would it be illegal to help them and make some money? Or what do I need to do if I want to legally help them and make some money? Would it be enough to register for VAT and fill a self assessment tax return form?

 

[Scalloway]

Would it be enough to register for VAT and fill a self assessment tax return form?

You are very unlikely to need to register for VAT. You need to be taking £85,000 a year before you need to register.

If you are receiving less than £1,000 from you colleagues you do not need to register for self assessment.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tax-free-allowances-on-property-and-trading-income

One thing that would put me off taking money for such a service is the possibility of getting sued for bad advice.

 

[SamCJ]

Thank you for your vero fast reply. Can they sue you for bad advice? I mean I would only be doing what I could within my capability so I wouldn’t deliberately lie to them or give them wrong information since they are the ones offering me money for helping them out. What does the law say about being sued for bad advice?

 

[Neromare Works]

Hello everyone, so in my workplace there are about 60/70 immigrants who speak little to no English but they speak some Italian and I’m fluent in Italian so whenever they need help with feeling forms up or even calling the bank/hospital/GP, they always ask me to help them and I always do because when I was a kid I was taught that you have help those in need, if you are able to help. Every other day, there is always one who needs my help with something and I help them and I did so for the past 6 months but then my manager asked me to stop helping them in the workplace and if I want to help them, I should do so on my own time. When the next person asked me to help him, I just said “I’m sorry but I’m not allowed to help you in the workplace”. So they all started panicking and now they are even offering money if I help them outside the workplace. Would it be illegal to help them and make some money? Or what do I need to do if I want to legally help them and make some money? Would it be enough to register for VAT and fill a self assessment tax return form?

You will be OPERATING without a company ,without contracts, just illegally collecting money and not paying taxes. Welcome to the "grey economy," mate. Do you not get paid, or you're working for a CHARITY?

 

[SamCJ]

You will be OPERATING without a company ,without contracts, just illegally collecting money and not paying taxes. Welcome to the "grey economy," mate. Do you not get paid, or you're working for a CHARITY?

Lol, did you not read my questions properly? I only created this post to ask if I COULD LEGALLY HELP THEM, GET SOME MONEY AND PAY TAXES AND THIS IS WHY I ASKED ABOUT THE SELF ASSESSMENT TAX FORM AND I ALSO HELPED THEM WITHOUT MONEY FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, I’M ONLY ASKING THE QUESTION SINCE THEY ASKED ME TO HELP THEM ON MY OWN TIME AFTER WORK PLUS THEY SAID THEY WOULD OFFER ME MONEY FOR HELPING THEM, I DIDN’T ASK THEM A SINGLE PENNY.

 

[billybob99]

Welcome to the "grey economy," mate.

Whatever puts food on the table, MATE.

Get back to your Fiverr listings.

 

[Neromare Works]

Lol, did you not read my questions properly? I only created this post to ask if I COULD LEGALLY HELP THEM, GET SOME MONEY AND PAY TAXES AND THIS IS WHY I ASKED ABOUT THE SELF ASSESSMENT TAX FORM AND I ALSO HELPED THEM WITHOUT MONEY FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, I’M ONLY ASKING THE QUESTION SINCE THEY ASKED ME TO HELP THEM ON MY OWN TIME AFTER WORK PLUS THEY SAID THEY WOULD OFFER ME MONEY FOR HELPING THEM, I DIDN’T ASK THEM A SINGLE PENNY.

Sorry, didn't read. It's ... great, that you're helping illegals. They should have special workers assigned to them to do the work. I'm just trying to help. You could ruin your OWN reputation. But feel free to do as you please.

Cheers.

 

[Neromare Works]

Whatever puts food on the table, MATE.

Get back to your Fiverr listings.

If it's even selling meth, would you support that? I wouldn't. And by the way, Fiverr's rubbish, yes, but they rank great in Google, so people find ME when they search a phrase. I've done a fair amount of translations & tutoring to people from my OWN country because I've ranked at the top - for specific long-tail keywords. But whadda I know, right.

Cheers, mate.

 

[Scalloway]

Can they sue you for bad advice?

If you are setting yourself up as a business then that is a risk. My recommendation would be don't accept money or gifts.

 

[MikeJ]

Sorry, didn't read. It's ... great, that you're helping illegals. They should have special workers assigned to them to do the work. I'm just trying to help. You could ruin your OWN reputation. But feel free to do as you please.

Cheers.

Who said they're illegal?
This is nothing to do with work, it's for help in their private life?
Why the f**k are you continuing to comment without reading the f**king posts?

 

[Blaby Loyal]

If you feel morally obliged to help these people then simply do it for free and make sure they know that you are only helping them as regards to simple matters of fact e.g. translating forms and telling them where to put things like their name and address on a form etc.

If the people you are helping want to give you the odd tenner then just stick it in your pocket.

It's when you start acting on their behalf, putting things in writing and either asking for money or receiving money for that kind of service that problems could arise e.g. by way of liability if anything goes wrong.

See the Thread about the woman with the hair product problem. Non-English speakers have an amazing grasp of our laws when it comes to claiming compensation!

 

[Neromare Works]

Who said they're illegal?
This is nothing to do with work, it's for help in their private life?
Why the f**k are you continuing to comment without reading the f**king posts?

From the context I tried to understand. If an immigrant doesn't know a word of English, or Italian, or whatever, who in their right mind will LET him in and give him a VISA? Absolutely nonsense. You go through the Embassy. They ask you questions there, you know. So yes, they're illegals, from my point view. And stop swearing, mate. That's super rude.

 

[SamCJ]

Sorry, didn't read. It's ... great, that you're helping illegals. They should have special workers assigned to them to do the work. I'm just trying to help. You could ruin your OWN reputation. But feel free to do as you please.

Cheers.

You are chatting utter nonsense now. So if one doesn’t speak English, technically becomes an illegal immigrant? I have known naturalised British citizens who have lived in this country for over 40 years and speak only a few words of English. Btw, all these people are Romanian so they are NOT illegal immigrants since Romania is in the EU and they DID NOT need a visa when they entered the country. Get your facts right, before ever trying to say wrong to someone. Cheers.

 

[SamCJ]

If you feel morally obliged to help these people then simply do it for free and make sure they know that you are only helping them as regards to simple matters of fact e.g. translating forms and telling them where to put things like their name and address on a form etc.

If the people you are helping want to give you the odd tenner then just stick it in your pocket.

It's when you start acting on their behalf, putting things in writing and either asking for money or receiving money for that kind of service that problems could arise e.g. by way of liability if anything goes wrong.

See the Thread about the woman with the hair product problem. Non-English speakers have an amazing grasp of our laws when it comes to claiming compensation!

Thank you for your reply, I’m fairly new to this site, where can I find the link please?

 

[Scalloway]

Here

https://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/...-and-i-have-received-letter-from-them.395757/

 

[Mr D]

From the context I tried to understand. If an immigrant doesn't know a word of English, or Italian, or whatever, who in their right mind will LET him in and give him a VISA? Absolutely nonsense. You go through the Embassy. They ask you questions there, you know. So yes, they're illegals, from my point view. And stop swearing, mate. That's super rude.

There isn't a requirement for even native British people to be fluent in English. Some don't speak a word of it and get by.
Visa applications presumably don't require a college degree in English before coming here.

An old friend came to the UK 30 years ago after marrying a guy in the army in Germany. Slight German accent now but when she came here her English was very poor - she is not an illegal immigrant to the UK. Maybe illegal immigrant to Germany at one point in time but that doesn't matter these days.

 

[SamCJ]

Here

Thanks a lot

 

[Neromare Works]

You are chatting utter nonsense now. So if one doesn’t speak English, technically becomes an illegal immigrant? I have known naturalised British citizens who have lived in this country for over 40 years and speak only a few words of English. Btw, all these people are Romanian so they are NOT illegal immigrants since Romania is in the EU and they DID NOT need a visa when they entered the country. Get your facts right, before ever trying to say wrong to someone. Cheers.

Well, that's sad. It's actually worse than sad. I made part of your quote in red so people can see what the problem is nowadays. I won't even comment what the problem is. The intelligent will understand.

 

[SamCJ]

Well, that's sad. It's actually worse than sad. I made part of your quote in red so people can see what the problem is nowadays. I won't even comment what the problem is. The intelligent will understand.

We are not here to discuss what’s sad or what’s not but the fact that I just proved you wrong and you still can’t accept reality.

 

[ADW]

Well, that's sad. It's actually worse than sad. I made part of your quote in red so people can see what the problem is nowadays. I won't even comment what the problem is. The intelligent will understand.

Oh, the irony!

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

Well, that's sad. It's actually worse than sad. I made part of your quote in red so people can see what the problem is nowadays. I won't even comment what the problem is. The intelligent will understand.

Racist much?

Seriously get a grip.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

There isn't a requirement for even native British people to be fluent in English. Some don't speak a word of it and get by.

Mancs... Scouse... Geordies... My Wife's an Aussie with a Bolton Accent - I call her an immigrant sometimes just for the crack... doesn't mean she is though...

Says enough eh?!

Visa applications presumably don't require a college degree in English before coming here.

See previous reply... the academics of Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle Upon Tyne are far few and between

THATS A JOKE FOLKS!

 

[Mr D]

Mancs... Scouse... Geordies... My Wife's an Aussie with a Bolton Accent - I call her an immigrant sometimes just for the crack... doesn't mean she is though...

Says enough eh?!

Saw an immigrant a few weeks back. He was English from down south (as they all are).

 

[Neromare Works]

There isn't a requirement for even native British people to be fluent in English. Some don't speak a word of it and get by.
Visa applications presumably don't require a college degree in English before coming here.

An old friend came to the UK 30 years ago after marrying a guy in the army in Germany. Slight German accent now but when she came here her English was very poor - she is not an illegal immigrant to the UK. Maybe illegal immigrant to Germany at one point in time but that doesn't matter these days.

Hey, maybe it's me. The problem must be in me.

For me at least - it's very important to show at least some DIGNITY and learn the native language. Out of RESPECT for the natives and the country's history. I don't expect people to understand my native language when I go somewhere else. That is ARROGANT.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

The racism card doesn't play here. It's what weak people USUALLY use to shut other people's mouths, when mouths are speaking truth. That's not a discussion. It's children’s playground. "Hey, you're a racist, I don't like you, meh meh meh."

 

[Newchodge]

The intelligent will understand.

That explains why you don't (understand)

 

[Neromare Works]

I'm out of this thread. It's unproductive. Feel free to not expect foreigners to learn the native language. We'll talk in 10 years.

 

[fisicx]

Hey, maybe it's me. The problem must be in me.

Yes it is.

Not being able to speak the language doesn't make someone an illegal immigrant.

@SamCJ Offer help filling in forms or point them in the right direction. Give them a card with your contact details and a disclaimer. If they then want to make a voluntary financial donation then take their money. Nothing wrong with this.

 

[sminter1st]

I am in a similar situation. We employ Romanians in our restaurant, my husband is Romanian, I speak Romanian and I am really good at paperwork and admin, so for speed and efficiency Romanian friends, family of employees etc, I help apply for NINOs, tax credits, register with doctors etc etc, liaise with schools. It got a bit overwhelming at one point the number of people asking for free help. In the end, I made a rule that I would help all staff and their families, random friends who were being CFs (a Mumsnet acronym) I asked for some sort of contribution, eg a bottle of vodka gift or some token chocolates for the kids or something. Writing CVs I charged £20 and put it through my self-employed transcription business. I had to learn that No is a full sentence. They all tend to have at least basic English, it's just the English systems are new to them, often they're not used to everything being able to be done online/over the phone. After a couple of times of helping them, they usually try and do it themselves, or I will sit with them while they're on the phone and support them, sort of weaning them away from me. I think this is the best way to support them. By the way, they're all legal, pay taxes and integrate, usually through the families of kids at school.

 

[SamCJ]

If you feel morally obliged to help these people then simply do it for free and make sure they know that you are only helping them as regards to simple matters of fact e.g. translating forms and telling them where to put things like their name and address on a form etc.

If the people you are helping want to give you the odd tenner then just stick it in your pocket.

It's when you start acting on their behalf, putting things in writing and either asking for money or receiving money for that kind of service that problems could arise e.g. by way of liability if anything goes wrong.

See the Thread about the woman with the hair product problem. Non-English speakers have an amazing grasp of our laws when it comes to claiming compensation!

Thank you for the reply. So the only way this could be illegal is the fact that if problems arise, I might be sued for bad advice, am I right?

 

[fisicx]

I might be sued for bad advice, am I right?

Don't give advice. Fill in forms, show people how to do things or locate information but don't advise them. That way you can't be held accountable.

 

[ethical PR]

From the context I tried to understand. If an immigrant doesn't know a word of English, or Italian, or whatever, who in their right mind will LET him in and give him a VISA? Absolutely nonsense. You go through the Embassy. They ask you questions there, you know. So yes, they're illegals, from my point view. And stop swearing, mate. That's super rude.

What utter and complete rubbish. Haven't you heard of employment checks dearie.

I bet they come from the EU.

 

[ethical PR]

Thank you for the reply. So the only way this could be illegal is the fact that if problems arise, I might be sued for bad advice, am I right?

Personally I feel it's rather morally repugnant to take money for providing advice, particularly when you don't have any particular expertise in this area. (it doesn't matter whether they are willing to pay). you could end up providing them with poor advice, that could end costing them dear.

It's great you have been able to help them to date, however you are certainly not the only person who can do so and if you aren't available they will soon find others from their community who can help.

For example http://www.myromaniacommunity.co.uk/about-us.html

You would be much better finding local Romanian community groups who can help them and directing them to the free English language classes that are available to help them improve their language skills which in turn will make them more independent and better able to enjoy life here.

From an employer point of view if you are using your and their time in the workplace to offer them advice when you should all be working I would be annoyed too and tell you to stop.

 

[ecommerce84]

Are people that live in Bulgaria but can only speak English also illegal?

 

[ethical PR]

Sorry, didn't read. It's ... great, that you're helping illegals. They should have special workers assigned to them to do the work. I'm just trying to help. You could ruin your OWN reputation. But feel free to do as you please.

Cheers.

Nightmare - you really are showing your ignorance, do quote the legislation that says it is 'illegal' for people who are from the EU to live and work in this country.

 

[Neromare Works]

Don't give advice. Fill in forms, show people how to do things or locate information but don't advise them. That way you can't be held accountable.

I vouch for that. Consultancy is messy biz. Someone could twist your arms and use your words against you, for money or to just evade persecution of some kind.

 

[Neromare Works]

Are people that live in Bulgaria but can only speak English also illegal?

Like I said, my bad, misread one of the posts. Can't see an option to delete my posts.

 

[serendipitybusiness]

Wow seriously! Some of the posts on here are terrible. I have been a legal expat in two other none English speaking countries so I completely understand the kind of things these guys will need and the OP has been very nice helping them out with these things. Please ignore some of the very rude and ignorant posts on this thread.

Yes there is a risk, I would consult a solicitor to see if you can draw up a terms contract for them to sign waiving liability. I am not sure how much this would cost but they may all chip in for you to get this and then you do the first form for free or something similar maybe.

As others have said that is a worry.

Tax wise you would need to invoice them and then do a self assessment within your employment earnings and then your extra earnings. Remember whatever you charge you will need to pay tax and national insurance on this.

 

[Jasondb]

Thank you for your vero fast reply. Can they sue you for bad advice? I mean I would only be doing what I could within my capability so I wouldn’t deliberately lie to them or give them wrong information since they are the ones offering me money for helping them out. What does the law say about being sued for bad advice?

You can be sued by the police or authorities if you are seen to be assisting in fraud.
You can be sued privately if you give bad advice if you take payment.

 

[RichardM90]

I think you should start by creating a company so it will be much safer for you. Don't accept free money or gifts just make a good legal service for money. When it comes to taking to the court, I personally work in Wearetextology and we never had a problem like this. I think they can only do that with the legal documents.

 

[Mr D]

I think you should start by creating a company so it will be much safer for you. Don't accept free money or gifts just make a good legal service for money. When it comes to taking to the court, I personally work in Wearetextology and we never had a problem like this. I think they can only do that with the legal documents.

Hopefully sorted 9 months ago..