======= Date Modified 02 May 2012 12:10:20 =======
Hi all,

Just recently started a PhD in Edinburgh. Its a full-time PhD but I also work part-time for a company that I worked full time with prior to starting the PhD.
I was told by a lady in the Uni that I need to apply for self assessment tax status as they (the Uni) do not deal with any of the tax issues etc.
I went online and it asked for a UTR which I then rang the HMRC and they said that I would only do a self assessment if I was self employed. Am I?
I'm employed part time by a company, and receive a scholarship from the Uni. Does that mean I'm self employed. I wouldn't believe I was.
Any help would be most appreciated. Bit lost about all this tax stuff.

Thanks in advance

It's not the uni's responsibility, but I would have thought it was the responsibility of the company for whom you work.

I periodically do freelance for a company and I classify myself as self employed for tax purposes. In reality I only earn a small amount so don't have to pay tax on it, but it's good to be above board and go through the process.

Ask the company if they will take care of it for you, but if not then it's 'self employed'.

Thanks for the information.

The company pays towards NI and Pension for me. PAYE tax comes to zero because I don't reach my tax free allowance etc.
I think that I might be making it more complicated than it is. Just want to make sure nothing comes back to haunt me in the future.

On hold with HMRC at the moment (have been for 25mins now), so lets see what they say about the whole thing.

I agree, your company should deal with for you, as you are not self employed but an employee of theirs. If you earn less than around £8000 per year, you won't pay any tax anyway as you come under the threshold for UK taxpayers. Seeing as you work for them already, they should have it sorted already but I would have a quick word with them.

The info you need should be on the HMRC website, here is a link to get you started, although I repeat, your employers should be able to sort this for you, all you need to do is check you're on the right tax code once you get your first pay slip:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/students/work_in_term_and_hols_9_1.htm

Lasted 35mins on hold and couldn't listen to the music anymore.
Will try again later today.

I believe the lady in the Uni was saying that I would have to do a self assessment as I am receiving scholarship payments each month and HMRC must be informed about this.
Is this typical for PhD students? Do you all do self assessment each year?

Thanks

Hi, I can only speak for myself but I am on a funded phd while working part-time in a job I've had all through my undergrad so I understand where you are coming from. I spoke to everyone I could think of at my uni and was basically told not to worry, I too don't earn enough to be above the tax mark but I was very concerned over it affecting my funding grant.

In the end I was told that as a student you don't pay tax on your stepend, and with part-time work unless only when you earn past the £8000 mark.

It sounds to me that you have nothing to stress over and the lady you spoke to wasn't doing her job properly and helping you with your concerns.

Hope that's of some help.

Woof