VAT reclaiming

chris_s_7

Hi guys and girls. been floating about the forum for a while but not really posted but got a bit stuck now and need a bit of advice.
I'm a mechanic for a main dealer and have spent in excess of £3k on tools over the last few years, I have found many companies offering to claim back the money but for a 30% cut plus vat. Then found a place on ebay offering to send the forms for £5.
So my thinking is if a place on ebay can send forms out there must readily available forms I can get and send off my self? had a look around the HM revenue and customs site but couldn't find anything but then again I don't really know what I'm looking for.

hopefully a few people on here may have done this already or may be able to help me out.

cheers chris

Bean_Counter

Why not call HMRC VAT National Helpline on 0845 010 9000.

sandraroffey

to claim back VAT you have to be registered to charge VAT

Bean_Counter

chris_s wrote: »

I have found many companies offering to claim back the money but for a 30% cut plus vat.

I had a quick google and found some of the companies that I think you are alluding to.

As far as I can tell, they are NOT reclaiming VAT. What they are doing is looking to make the cost of the tools tax deductible, and getting tax refunds for clients (for a fee of course.)

This is something that you can do yourself and there are numerous threads on this subject that should give you some useful hints as to how to proceed.

sandraroffey

just re read and it appears you're EMPLOYED by the company, so you cant register for vat of course. so ignore eveything i have said¬!!!!!

chris_s_7

thanks for the replies. bean counter - now you mention it my mate that claimed back did say after the claim he got £500-600 tax relief per year
sandra thanks for the reply yeah employed by the company and think i understand roughly what i need to do now its just finding the info i need
bean counter if you have any links that may help me would be much appreciated
cheers chris

Bean_Counter

chris_s wrote: »

bean counter if you have any links that may help me would be much appreciated
cheers chris

Hi Chris,

Have a look at this link on HMRC website to start with.

Although there are forms you can fill in, in the past when I have claimed tax relief for odds and sods I have just sent a letter to my local tax office with details of what I want to claim, together with backup documentation. Make sure you keep a copy of what you send them.

The important wording you need to say is that the tools are "wholly, exclusively and necessarily" for the purpose of your job. This means that you must have the tools to do the job and that you don't use the tools for anything else other than your job.

Let me know if you need more information. There are quite a few threads on MSE about claiming back expenses, so perhaps have a look at those.