Cost of self employment

[Jamboal]

Hi,

Thanks to everyone for there responses, won't be under any pressure to work or self employment was more in case boardom set in as we are under pension age. I'll always have the option of charity or voluntary work. As for brexit I'll keep quiet on that subject

Allan.

[Lofos-Jan]

"You will need to pay into SS for 3 years before you get any health benefit"

This is not the case if you have been paying National Insurance in another EU country for the three years prior to moving over. This can count towards the three year requirement for a health card which you would be able to apply for as soon as you have your MEU registration document (yellow slip).

Jeanne

Are you 100% sure about that because I know of working UK people who have had to wait the 3 years and in one case, firstly they had health for 2 years , then after the financial bail-out had that cover removed for a year and had to re-apply, when they had completed the full 3 years. If your post is correct it is not obviously being made known. Have you got a link you could post?

The requirement is stated on the application form (see here on page 4, Section B 1, fourth one down http://www.moh.gov.cy/moh/moh.nsf/0/FD0 ... 20CARD.pdfThey require a form E104 from the UK. This is not however available for the applicant to get themselves so they may accept a statement of contributions that you can get yourself or, on completion of your application if it is still not accepted, the lady upstairs at the Citizens Service Centre (Kiria Maria I think) will make an application to UK National Insurance for an E104 confirmation of your NI contributions. So it may take a short while but it is accepted to transfer contributions. You are correct that it doesn't seem to be widely known about despite being on the application form!

Jeanne

[Lofos-Jan]

You can get reduced rates, by filling a form, and getting proof of earnings from your accountant, the lowest fees are approx 300/350 a quarter.

Just to confirm that you don't need proof from an accountant to get the reduction. You can submit the form and make the declaration yourself.

Jeanne

[WHL]

You can get reduced rates, by filling a form, and getting proof of earnings from your accountant, the lowest fees are approx 300/350 a quarter.

Just to confirm that you don't need proof from an accountant to get the reduction. You can submit the form and make the declaration yourself.

Jeanne

Up to last year this was the case....I have a family member who is doing this right now....from this January for you to get the reduced rate....with the form you fill in you need a declaration of earnings from your accountant....... my family member took the form in to them in January and tomorrow they are picking the declaration up from their accountant then on to the Tax office to get it stamped then on to the social office, they have untill the end of the month to do this,It seems they are tightening up and checking more from now on

[Polemi Dave]

You can get reduced rates, by filling a form, and getting proof of earnings from your accountant, the lowest fees are approx 300/350 a quarter.

Just to confirm that you don't need proof from an accountant to get the reduction. You can submit the form and make the declaration yourself.

Jeanne

Quite right

As I only work part time, I do this social security reduction claim every year. The form is in in Greek, but once you have a translation, it is quite simple.

You take the form to a dedicated office at Social Security with whatever proof of income you have. I always take my previous year tax return and my VAT returns. I have never used an accountant or got extra forms from tax. The Cypriots I see going in front of me don't have accountants proof either as they don't use an accountant either.

This is another nice little earner for the accountants, that you don't need to pay out for!

[Dominic]

Perhaps if you wore another couple of layers of clothing they would mistake you for a Cypriot and wait behind you?

[jeba]

OK, those Brits wishing to work might have to apply for work permits - so what, is that a problem?
Geoff.

In Germany at least the immigation authority will ask the labour departement for input whether there are any EU nationals able to fill a vacancy when a non-EU citizen applies for a work permit. Therefore, processing those applications by the immigration authority is more time-consuming than many employers are willing to accept. Plus, in many cases they are turned down because the employer can´t prove that no suitable EU candidates are available. I don´t know though whether that´s merely German regulations or whether it is like that EU-wide. If it´s an EU regulation this will be a problem.

[WHL]

You can get reduced rates, by filling a form, and getting proof of earnings from your accountant, the lowest fees are approx 300/350 a quarter.

Just to confirm that you don't need proof from an accountant to get the reduction. You can submit the form and make the declaration yourself.

Jeanne

Quite right

As I only work part time, I do this social security reduction claim every year. The form is in in Greek, but once you have a translation, it is quite simple.

You take the form to a dedicated office at Social Security with whatever proof of income you have. I always take my previous year tax return and my VAT returns. I have never used an accountant or got extra forms from tax. The Cypriots I see going in front of me don't have accountants proof either as they don't use an accountant either.

This is another nice little earner for the accountants, that you don't need to pay out for!

From this year we were asked for a earnings declaration from the accountants, plus the usual form you fill in....Im not making this up......have you submitted a reduction claim form this year??

[geoffreys]

[quote=jeba post_id=14215 time=1491894964 user_id=486]
[quote=geoffreys post_id=14123 time=1491813318 user_id=121]
OK, those Brits wishing to work might have to apply for work permits - so what, is that a problem?
Geoff.
[/quote]

In Germany at least the immigation authority will ask the labour departement for input whether there are any EU nationals able to fill a vacancy when a non-EU citizen applies for a work permit. Therefore, processing those applications by the immigration authority is more time-consuming than many employers are willing to accept. Plus, in many cases they are turned down because the employer can´t prove that no suitable EU candidates are available. I don´t know though whether that´s merely German regulations or whether it is like that EU-wide. If it´s an EU regulation this will be a problem.
[/quote]

If it is an EU Regulation it won't be a problem in the UK as UK is leaving the EU. Brits wanting to work in Cyprus will have the same problems they have always encountered trying to get a job here.
Geoff.

[Polemi Dave]

From this year we were asked for a earnings declaration from the accountants, plus the usual form you fill in....Im not making this up......have you submitted a reduction claim form this year??
[/color]

WHL I am sure you are not making this up I am equally sure Social like every other department make things up as they go along. Perhaps you earn a lot more than I as I only work limited hours, as a hobby and the heath cover benefit.

I went in January and paid the December quarter and submitted the form for 2017 to the appropriate lady. (I also gave her the usual hart luck story about not being well enough to work full time, fed up with being nothing more than an unpaid VAT collector - perhaps I should retire etc etc ) She printed me out a reduction letter on the spot for less than €300 a qtr.)

Why they applied the accountant bit to you, I cannot say. What I do know is that I often wait in line with Cypriot self employed cleaners, pool men and all sorts on non high earning Cypriots. These people cannot afford an accountant even if they wanted to. There is no way SS could impose the accountant rule across the board - there would be a riot outside the SS offices.

What you need to do next year is ask "why are you not asking all the Cypriots for accountants declarations?" I bet the story they tell you will suddenly change, especially if you tell them you can't afford an accountant.

[jeba]

If it is an EU Regulation it won't be a problem in the UK as UK is leaving the EU. Brits wanting to work in Cyprus will have the same problems they have always encountered trying to get a job here.
Geoff.

Sure it won´t be a problem in the UK. But it would be a problem for citizens of the UK applying for a work permit in Cyprus (or any EU country for that matter).

[WHL]

From this year we were asked for a earnings declaration from the accountants, plus the usual form you fill in....Im not making this up......have you submitted a reduction claim form this year??
[/color]

WHL I am sure you are not making this up I am equally sure Social like every other department make things up as they go along. Perhaps you earn a lot more than I as I only work limited hours, as a hobby and the heath cover benefit.

I went in January and paid the December quarter and submitted the form for 2017 to the appropriate lady. (I also gave her the usual hart luck story about not being well enough to work full time, fed up with being nothing more than an unpaid VAT collector - perhaps I should retire etc etc ) She printed me out a reduction letter on the spot for less than €300 a qtr.)

Why they applied the accountant bit to you, I cannot say. What I do know is that I often wait in line with Cypriot self employed cleaners, pool men and all sorts on non high earning Cypriots. These people cannot afford an accountant even if they wanted to. There is no way SS could impose the accountant rule across the board - there would be a riot outside the SS offices.

What you need to do next year is ask "why are you not asking all the Cypriots for accountants declarations?" I bet the story they tell you will suddenly change, especially if you tell them you can't afford an accountant.

Mate this is the first time they asked for this, its for my wife who is self employed, she dosnt earn much from it but it keeps her occupied, she just picked it up from the accountant, tomorrow she will get it signed in the Tax office, and then take it to the social...I will ask them why they need this now.

[PhotoLady]

If it is an EU Regulation it won't be a problem in the UK as UK is leaving the EU. Brits wanting to work in Cyprus will have the same problems they have always encountered trying to get a job here.
Geoff.

Sure it won´t be a problem in the UK. But it would be a problem for citizens of the UK applying for a work permit in Cyprus (or any EU country for that matter).

I've said this until I'm blue in the face Jeba - but some folks just don't seem to want to listen.....

Incidentally, I've just watched the FCO facebook video conference and as it stands at the moment all they can say is "wait and see" because nothing is concrete and until UK is out of the EU, nothing has changed.

However, they aren't giving anything away about what will happen to UK citizens residing and working in EU countries after Brexit. Neither are they giving any confidence to UK citizens returning from EU countries back to UK to be able to obtain healthcare after Brexit.... They hope to be able to pass on information soon though!

[geoffreys]

Reply to Photolady:
Regards UK Citizens returning to UK after Brexit (or before) and health care.
UK State Pensioners living in an EU Country already have free access to the UK NHS at anytime, as well as having it paid for by the UK whilst residing in the EU country.
This was brought in by the current Conservative Govt.
SO ONCE AGAIN NO PROBLEM. MORE SCAREMONGERING.
Geoff.

[PhotoLady]

The question was asked today Geoff and the answer was "whilst we are still in the EU, nothing has changed" and they hope to have more information regarding any changes as the Brexit process goes ahead.

No scaremongering, that's what those who sat and watched the video conference for 30 minutes were told.

[geoffreys]

The question was asked today Geoff and the answer was "whilst we are still in the EU, nothing has changed" and they hope to have more information regarding any changes as the Brexit process goes ahead.

No scaremongering, that's what those who sat and watched the video conference for 30 minutes were told.

You're not listening. Nothing will change after Brexit either if you are a UK Pensioner living in Cyprus.
However, as I said before, if you are working here may not be so simple. But it was always tricky getting a job here if you are a Brit, unless you go self-employed.
Holiday homers should be OK too, just as they were before Cyprus joined the EU in 2004/
Geoff.

[PhotoLady]

I never had a problem getting a job in Cyprus in all the 12yrs I was there.... I worked from 2004 right up to the end of March 2016 and changed jobs several times....

Again, you say "should"..... and that's what the conference was all about today. As yet, nobody has the answers because nothing has yet been agreed.

[geoffreys]

I never had a problem getting a job in Cyprus in all the 12yrs I was there.... I worked from 2004 right up to the end of March 2016 and changed jobs several times....

Again, you say "should"..... and that's what the conference was all about today. As yet, nobody has the answers because nothing has yet been agreed.

Yes, "should" if you are (1) not retired (2) a holiday homer.
Those of us who are retired and permanent residents have no uncertainties.
Geoff.

[boycott]

Geoff are your should's as reliable as your exchange rate and UKIP winning a seat in Parliament predications?

[jeba]

Nothing will change after Brexit either if you are a UK Pensioner living in Cyprus.

Did I understand wrongly that UK pensions are exempt from inflation adjustment if the recipient is living outside the UK? Is it already clear that this won´t be the case?