Citizenship- self employed question

Hi, I'm filling out the citizenship application as the spouse of a British citizen. I've been self empoyed since we moved here 5 years ago as a freelance pattern cutter. I've worked at many different companies, and am wondering if I need to list them all under the employment section? As I am self employed and file a self assesment tax return, technically they are not my employer. How should I fill out the form?
Thanks

Hi, I'm filling out the citizenship application as the spouse of a British citizen. I've been self empoyed since we moved here 5 years ago as a freelance pattern cutter. I've worked at many different companies, and am wondering if I need to list them all under the employment section? As I am self employed and file a self assesment tax return, technically they are not my employer. How should I fill out the form?
Thanks

How exactly does it read?

I have a feeling that they are interested in whether you've been paying your taxes or not rather than your employment history per se, as there is no requirement to be employed when on a spouse visa.

It asks if you are currently employed, and then  "Have you had any other work over the past 10 years or since you came to the UK? "
There is no box to tick for "self-employed".  I am self employed, (but currently not working). I have been self employed for the past 5 years, except for a short period when I used an umbrella company and worked through an agency, which was technically my employer. I can list the umbrella company & the agency as employers, but after that I was my own employer, and have had many different clients, who I billed directly. I don't know whether they want me to list all my clients.  I have always filed a self assesment tax return. There doesn't seem to be an option to put "self-employed" on the form. I'm happy to submit my tax returns but I can't see where they are asking me to do that.

It asks if you are currently employed, and then  "Have you had any other work over the past 10 years or since you came to the UK? "
There is no box to tick for "self-employed".  I am self employed, (but currently not working). I have been self employed for the past 5 years, except for a short period when I used an umbrella company and worked through an agency, which was technically my employer. I can list the umbrella company & the agency as employers, but after that I was my own employer, and have had many different clients, who I billed directly. I don't know whether they want me to list all my clients.  I have always filed a self assesment tax return. There doesn't seem to be an option to put "self-employed" on the form. I'm happy to submit my tax returns but I can't see where they are asking me to do that.

Are you currently employed. - No

"Have you had any other work over the past 10 years or since you came to the UK? "- Yes

Are you able to  enter- self employed x 5 years etc, at this point?

I'm listing myself as my current employer, from the date I first billed to my most recent billing, and then I am listing the umbrella company and employment agency I first worked for.  I think this makes sense, and I hope it's ok!  I'm submitting today. One other question- one of my referees is an architect,  does that qualify as a "professional person" ? It's not on the official list but it is a regulated profession.

I'm listing myself as my current employer, from the date I first billed to my most recent billing, and then I am listing the umbrella company and employment agency I first worked for.  I think this makes sense, and I hope it's ok!  I'm submitting today. One other question- one of my referees is an architect,  does that qualify as a "professional person" ? It's not on the official list but it is a regulated profession.

I think the architect will be fine. I used a member of a professional body not on the list, it's not an exhaustive list.

I would probably do the employment thing differently but it's difficult to help without seeing the form. It would be a good idea to write a short letter clarifying the situation just so it helps them to understand.

I am hoping it's ok, I am listing the companies I was actually employed by, who took out my taxes in PAYE for essentially the first 6 mos. I worked here. Then I list myself as my employer,  stating I was freelance self employed. If they are looking at tax returns, my first year here was part employed, part self employed, and has all the info on my tax return. It's confusing when you are self employed. Anyway, thanks for the advice, it helps me clarify my own thoughts. Hope it's ok! Thanks again.

I am hoping  it's ok, I am listing the companies I was actually employed by, who took out my taxes in PAYE for essentially the first 6 mos. I worked here. Then I list myself as my employer,  stating I was freelance self employed. If they are looking at tax returns, my first year here was part employed, part self employed, and has all the info on my tax return. It's confusing when you are self employed. Anyway, thanks for the advice, it helps me clarify my own thoughts. Hope it's ok! Thanks again.

You've done the best you can with what they give you to work with. Paper forms were so much easier.

If they do have any questions, the chances are high that they will get in touch. I don't think you will have a problem

Good luck!