Working tax credits and extra money?

[serendipity2]

Hi everyone, I am a divorced mother bringing up two children and I working part time claiming working and child tax credits. My hobby has always been photography and over the years I have saved to buy a good camera and a couple of other necessary pieces of equipment.

Just lately though I have been getting quite a few relatives and friends asking me to do family portraits etc and they have always paid me over what the photos cost me to get printed, as a thank you.

I would now like to advertise what I do so that I can make some money to buy more equipment and one day I can have a proper business as that has been my dream for many years. My problem is that I don't think that I am allowed to 'earn' anything above what my part time job pays, due to me recveiving tax credits.

So I need to know if there is some way I could word the prices in my advertisement so that people know that I am not wanting to earn a wage from it, but just trying to purchase equipment so that one day I will not need my tax credits as I will be able to have my own legitimate business. And also, so that I will not be in breach of the rules of my benefit...many thanks in advance to anyone who may be able to help me.

[happyjo]

If you make any money from your venture, you will need to declare it, regardless of how you word an ad.

You never know, if you do declare, you could make more money than you thought and be able to come off benefits sooner rather than later.

Good luck

[north star]

You will need to declare any profit that you make rather than what you are paid so I would keep all relevant receipts, details of car milage etc for when you are asked questions by HMRC