I made additional contributions to my UK state pension - all the advice is it is a good deal (from my research a few years ago)

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-nationa...-contributions

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/sa...contributions/

As a side note to SexSmith, With the online platform, the classes aren't scheduled by the platform. Its basically you attract students, then students arrange their classes. Its very sporadic and not a set-in-stone thing. I too have Spanish classes with the same platform, I sign up for say 4 classes, then book the class when I want.

As for the payments, they aren't automatically sent monthly, I withdraw the funds monthly - just because its easier for me to keep a record. But if I wanted I could just keep the funds within the app and then say taken the money out every 3 months. If I want i can also withdraw the funds every day or week. I just withdraw the funds monthly as it makes sense.

I have to admit to being a little ignorant about things in this regards. My mother-in-law is Spanish and was autonomo she was adamant when telling me that you don't need to be autonomo if your earnings are less that 3000€ for your side-gig etc - which at present mine definitely are below. As for DAC7 that's another thing.

But ultimately the take away from this forum post, is that I need to speak to a gestor as soon as possible (at present impossible due to long hours and baby about to come) But I plan to in the summer to try and get a better understanding of this and take some action. I am a little bit of a disaster with this stuff.

Regards to my academy, everything is above board with them. This summer I will be taking paternity leave which is my legal right and very much will be reducing online class hours, just because I will be bringing up a baby.

In response to the person above suggesting Youtube as an outlet for teaching, it's not really my bag I am afraid, I do enjoy teaching and consider myself a decent teacher, but I am not really interested in the fanfare of Youtube, social media etc. Plus there are plenty of well-established people doing this already. Also if doing private classes is a confusing thing with regards to the taxes, then I imagine Youtube is even more mental.

Thanks all for your responses, its definitely food for thought and Is my main priority once the baby is born.


PS... I have already applied to the UK for NI contributions, thanks for that suggestion SexSmith

Youtube is really no different regarding tax liabilities. With such a low hourly rate (for which I understand the reasoning) I would estimate that you are actually doing it at a financial loss.
Maybe that's OK for now and perhaps it will give you inspiration for other things too.
If you tot up what you are giving out for using the online platform, Internet connection, hardware investment and electricity and of course your time, you will see what I mean.
Anyway, good luck whatever you decide and especially with the little person when they arrive.

I found this website which may tide you over until speaking to a gestor, which seems to be a credible explanation which matches what was said in this thread (apart from the bits where I was wrong), it possibly also has the explanation of why your mother-in-law is not working as autonomo:

Profesores guía para hacer facturas y declarar - Tus Papeles Autonomos