Tier 1 extension - which earning period to choose !?!

[coventried79]

Hello all,
My first post on this forum and I'm really hoping all you wonderful folks will bail me out.

My tier-1 visa extension is due in March 2013 and I'm planning to send the docs through post around mid-Feb (say 15th Feb)

1) I've a 15 month window available between 15-Nov-2011 till 15-Feb-2013 to declare my earnings. Is my understanding correct?

2) I stand to earn 35 + 5 + 5 points (Masters degree, age, UK experience) so need another 30 points to qualify i,e I need to show a minimum earning of £29,000- £31,999.99 over 12 months to score 75 points.

I'm planning to use the period between Nov 2011-Oct 2012 to declare my earnings.

From Nov 2011-June 2012, I was in a permanent role & and have my payslips/personal bank statements etc.
My total earnings in this period was £29.2 K.

From July 2012 - till date - I am working as a contractor under my own limited company as a Director.
My earnings till date is ~ 38K since July 2012.

Though I have an accountant, I have not set-up my payroll yet neither have I taken any dividends knowingly yet.
Also, since I've set-up my company only recently, I'm yet to pay Corp Tax though I've made couple of VAT returns.

I have transferred £7K (cheque), £3K (online) and £4K (online) from my Business Account to my personal Account in Oct 2012 , Dec 2012 and Jan 2013 respectively.

My question is do you folks suggest:

a) I go with declaring my Permanent role salary only , thereby qualifying by just scoring the minimum points (75)

OR


b) Include £7K I had transferred in Oct 2012 on top of my permanent role earnings and show it as dividend earned and gain some additional points?

Kind regards and looking forward to inputs from members.

[coventried79]

any help for a newbie please ?