Advice on choosing part time permanent employee vs freelancer

[sjs]

I presently work full time for a company that I have worked for the last 4 years and I am 2 months into my notice period. I recently handed in my notice to operate as a direct seller of a diet food full time, something I intended to do as a 'sole trader'. I have since been offered a part time role working for the company I work for at present, something that would be very beneficial to suppliment my income, particularly whilst starting up a new business!

My question is, would I be better off working as a part time permanent member of staff or a freelancer? Obviously I'm aware I can earn more money as a freelancer and I wonder if then I would be best to set up a limited company and then put my direct selling through it also....then I can pass it all over to an accountant to sort out tax wise etc.....

This is all new territory to me and I'm sure there are a lot of factors that I need to consider, so just wondered what advice was out there really!?

[lambrini_socialist]

i, too, recently applied for a job i saw advertised on a piece of cardboard tied to a lamppost by the North Circular, promising a net return of £3,000+ per week. it'll pay out any day now....boomed! do i need an accountant?

[TheFaQQer]

I presently work full time for a company that I have worked for the last 4 years and I am 2 months into my notice period. I recently handed in my notice to operate as a direct seller of a diet food full time, something I intended to do as a 'sole trader'. I have since been offered a part time role working for the company I work for at present, something that would be very beneficial to suppliment my income, particularly whilst starting up a new business!

My question is, would I be better off working as a part time permanent member of staff or a freelancer? Obviously I'm aware I can earn more money as a freelancer and I wonder if then I would be best to set up a limited company and then put my direct selling through it also....then I can pass it all over to an accountant to sort out tax wise etc.....

This is all new territory to me and I'm sure there are a lot of factors that I need to consider, so just wondered what advice was out there really!?

I would setup a limited company and do it that way. Even if your contract is within IR35, you can still make some saving by having 5% expenses offset, and possibly by being on the flat rate VAT scheme (if you are likely to hit the VAT threshold).

Best of luck with it, whatever you decide.