Freelance Q re switching from self-employed to umbrella

[Robert Poste's Child]

Appreciate views from experienced freelancers or accountants out there.

If you had to switch from self-employed to an umbrella but hadn't actually worked or had any income since the end of the previous tax year, what would you choose as your end date for self-employed status: the start of the new contract or 5 April, or something inbetween?

Oddly, HMRC doesn't mind and advised you could choose any date you like or leave it over till the tax return and sort it out then.

The issue here isn't about avoiding tax as whichever way you cut it it doesn't seem to amount to much.

Or am I making a mountain out of a molehill?

[Asset]

I think I would use the date of the new contract personally, that way there are no unexplained gaps.

[Jules-and-Boo]

Same. You're then covered in terms of time - you move smoothly from one to the other.

[Robert Poste's Child]

Thanks very much for your help. I hate doing this kind of thing! Is it obvious?