Working Tax Credits Rule

or How to survive as an artist who doesn't get paid much.

If you want to give up the job you hate to concentrate on the work love, you don't mind financial hardship, but you want to get by without going on the dole, then this guide is for you.

Here is a set of simple steps for any UK based artist who works more than 16 hours per week, if they have children, or more than 30 hours per week if they don't have children. It could add an extra £5000 to your yearly income.

1. Register as Self Employed.
2. Register for Working Tax Credits. (Dead easy and worth up to £45 per week)
3. Register for Housing Benefit. (Difficult and varies very widely but a max of £50-£100 per week depending on where you live.)
4. Keep your self employed accounts up to date. (Write down every payment you receive and keep every receipt.)

This is the combination that has kept me going for the past year and a half, it will give you a small but stable financial base, that you can build on with all those profit share shows that equate to an hourly wage of a little under 10p.

The Details:

1. To register as self employed download, complete and return this form http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/cwf1.pdf or phone them on 0845 915 4515 or Textphone 0845 915 3296

2. Once you've done that register for Working Tax Credits. You can check out this site Tax Credits to find out if you qualify or you can call the help line for Tax Credits on: 0845 300 3900 or textphone: 0845 300 3909. You will have to answer some questions to get them to send you the form, you can also pick up the forms from your local tax office or job centre. Remember that as a self employed person all the time you put into making your work is eligible towards your hours of employment, as an active artist of theatre practitioner it is very likely that you will be working more than 30 hours. **This is important because if you don't have children then you need to be working at least 30+ hours per week to receive working tax credits.**
3. This is the hardest part, because unlike Tax Credits, which is based in the tax system you are now into the world of state benefits. Basically they really wish you'd go away and not claim what you are entitled to, so things are bureaucratic and stupid, but if you can fight through the insanely complex form and the niggling demands then you might just get most of your rent paid. What you need to do is find your local housing office, don't try and deal with your local council directly because they are a nightmare. Just give their housing department a call to find out where your nearest housing office is and take it from there. The people in the housing office are very helpful and you will need plenty of help with this one.

4. Buy a big accounts book from a stationary shop and just record everything, every payment that comes in write it down, everything that send on your self employment goes on the opposite page. Every month start a new pair of pages. Simple.

Good Luck.

And remember kids, don't lie to the authorities, because that's fraud and it will get you into trouble!

Thanks to Rob for his feedback and clarification.