SELF EMPLOYED going into FULL TIME "Finders Fee" expenses related issue!

Lasai

Hello to all who can help. Basically here's a run down of my situation:

I'm a self employed animator, and I'm currently with an agency who find me about 20% of my work.

A creative director at one such agency introduced company liked my standard of work and have told me that a round of interviews are coming up for a full time job. The problem is, they know the powers that be will reject me once they find out I'm with my agency, as they'll have to pay the 10% finders fee to the agency, 10% of my annual wage that is.

So, I really want this job and I spoke to my agency and was really honest about my situation and basically said that I would be willing to pay the fee myself, as I know this particular company would reject my application if they knew I was with them. They called me back and said 'thanks for telling us, you're right, this particular company never hire through agency for full time work, we'll be happy for you to pay instead, go for it and good luck'.

My question is as follows: would I be able to claim back this finders fee on my next tax return? Under the section where you state insurance/legal payments/accountancy fees etc. Since I'm paying this company for a service ie. getting me my job, would I be able to claim the expense? And if so, would I need a specific invoice from the agency as proof of receipt?

Many thanks to those who can help!

Elaine_Wilson

Sorry, but I can't see that you would be entitled to claim any relief.

You can claim for expenses incurred 'in the performance of your duties'. This expense would not be incurred doing your job but in acquiring it.

I will be happy to be corrected if anyone knows that I'm wrong.

Alternatively, consider that the the fee would be a legitimate expense for the company. So they would be able to claim corporation tax relief. Could you offer to cover the net cost by working for free for however many days it would take?

Lasai

Elaine_Wilson wrote: »

Sorry, but I can't see that you would be entitled to claim any relief.

You can claim for expenses incurred 'in the performance of your duties'. This expense would not be incurred doing your job but in acquiring it.

I will be happy to be corrected if anyone knows that I'm wrong.

Alternatively, consider that the the fee would be a legitimate expense for the company. So they would be able to claim corporation tax relief. Could you offer to cover the net cost by working for free for however many days it would take?

Hmmm. Interesting, I can see your point, although obviously I would like to claim relief! The company that I want to work for are really big and hence lots of hoops to jump through, so I know if I mentioned the deal of 'working for free to cover the net cost' would seem 'too much' for HR and everyone to calculate/factor in. So I guess I'm just going to have to cough up the cash. *siiigh*