As an Employee - What can be claimed?

broigel

I am employed and pay too much tax (as do we all). What expenses are possible to be claimed as tax deductions? Currently I claim nothing at all but there must be something?!

midge61

Hi

Do you have to wear a uniform? If you do you can get an allowance for washing it at home.

hummy

do u use your vehicle for travelling to customers? you might be eligible to claim mileage allowance

PolishBigSpender

broigel wrote: »

I am employed and pay too much tax (as do we all). What expenses are possible to be claimed as tax deductions? Currently I claim nothing at all but there must be something?!

Very little, in fact. The whole point of the system is that an employee should already have all these benefits provided by the employer, thus there's no need for any deductions.

mrkbrrws

What do you have to pay for and what is your job?

Some trades etc. have an agreed amount that you can have as a deductible expense.

Generally you can deduct:

a) Travel expenses in doing your job (but not getting to and from work). If you use your own car these are at standard rates (40p for first 10,000 miles, then 25p).

b) Any professional subscriptions etc. for recognised membership bodies.

c) Anything else which is spent wholly, exclusively and necessarily for the purpose of your job.

broigel

Thanks for all these suggestions, esp. mrkbrrws. Let me ask this please: is there any possibility of me paying my wife a salary for office admin. while I am away on business and claiming that as a tax deduction? I work from an office in my home and need someone to answer telephone calls, e-mails, faxes etc. My wife does this and should be paid for it. I am clear that such an expense is indeed 'wholly, exclusively and necessarily for the purpose of my job'. If the company paid her it would be an allowable tax deduction for them - but they don't wish to increase costs. If I was self-employed and paid her a reasonable wage it would be allowable. I need this assistance - it is necessary for my job - and believe the cost of it should be tax deductible. What are my chances of claiming this? Is it worth discussing with HMRC?

johnllew

broigel wrote: »

What are my chances of claiming this?

You may claim it but the chances of it being allowed are absolutely zero.

mrsmyagi

As you are an employee then you wouldn't be able to claim for your wife's time unless you mean you are an employee of your own limited company? If that was the case then your limited company could employ your wife at a market rate as long as she was truly working for you and providing these services. If not then no chance unfortunately!!

The law says you can claim under S198 of the Income and Taxes act for expenses incurred wholly, necessarily and exclusively for the purposes of doing your job - these expenses can be claimed (e.g. safety equipment, uniforms, professional subscriptions). There are also other things you can get tax benefit from if you are a higher rate taxpayer such as charitable donations (regular or done as gift aid) and pension payments.

mrkbrrws

As a general rule, payments made by an employee to someone else for assistance in carrying out the employee's duties will not be deductible under Section 336 ITEPA 2003.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM32410.htm

facingthefuture

I work for my hubby - he is self employed. I do all the paperwork, sales and research all from home. The accountant has put me down for £90 a week to utilise my tax allowance. Why shouldn't I get paid for what I do just because we are related? Ok all money coming in to the home is shared but would the taxman work for nothing? The tax office know and are fine (they groan when I take in paperwork that I am preparing for the accountant) .I think they are quite reasonable, phone them and explain....the worst thing they can do is check up on you, if she has work stuff at home so what if they do. Tax people realise most self employed couples both work darned hard to keep a business going and they must have a good idea when you are being truthful.

mrkbrrws

facingthefuture wrote: »

I work for my hubby - he is self employed. I do all the paperwork, sales and research all from home. The accountant has put me down for £90 a week to utilise my tax allowance. Why shouldn't I get paid for what I do just because we are related? Ok all money coming in to the home is shared but would the taxman work for nothing? The tax office know and are fine (they groan when I take in paperwork that I am preparing for the accountant) .I think they are quite reasonable, phone them and explain....the worst thing they can do is check up on you, if she has work stuff at home so what if they do. Tax people realise most self employed couples both work darned hard to keep a business going and they must have a good idea when you are being truthful.

He's an employee, not self-employed.