What are my expenses

novamation

I'm just working out my (self employment) expenses, and I started to look at stuff like electricity, broadband and the PC .... but, I don't own or pay for any of this in our house, a relative does.

So, I don't think I can claim any percentage of this for expenses?

We're thinking of changing broadband providers soon, would it be worth us getting this in my name in future?


Also, I want to claim expenses for printing, do I need to show reciepts for paper and ink if I choose to claim, say, 6p per print? ...No, I don't pay for paper or ink.

If I can't claim for printing, I don't think I have any expenses..:eek:

fengirl_2

If you dont pay for anything for your busness, then you cannot include anything in your accounts.

novamation

OK, I have a voice recorder that I bought about 3 years ago, I could claim capital allowances on this?

- I don't know if I'll be able to find the reciept though, if I can't can I still claim on it?

If not, then, should I put a note on the form saying something like 'I have no expenses as I'm using a relatives electricity and PC'?

TM1976

You can claim for the voice recorder (at value when introduced to the business).

I believe you do have some business expenses what is the nature of you trade?

novamation

TM1976 wrote: »

I believe you do have some business expenses what is the nature of you trade?

some mystery shopping,

TM1976 wrote: »

You can claim for the voice recorder (at value when introduced to the business).

will I have to find the reciept though? I'm looking for it today, but I've proabably cleared it out while decluttering... I only just found out about capital allowances:o


Some other questions, I'm going to have two self-employment sections, one for mystery shopping and one for artwork. Is it ok to have both under my own name? I mean when it asks for the name of the business. Or do they have to be different names?

And one of the expenses for the artwork is art software, will this be the kind of expense that has to be split into business or personal use and only the business percentage is an expense?

fengirl_2

No, a business doesnt have to have a name, just enter 'own name' in both.
Anything which has dual purpose needs to be split.

TM1976

You don't need a receipt, given the cost of this you could probably just include this as an expense.

Expenses;
Mystery shopping- Travel costs? Telephone calls? Stationary? Postage?

Artwork - Stationary/materials? Travel? Advertising costs? Postage? Telephone calls? Computer equipment?

Just include all your software costs, don't worry about business and personal use.

novamation

I've got lots of expenses for the artwork;)

The mystery shopping though, I signed up for it close to the end of the tax year and never actually got any jobs done in that year. I did get dummy runs done with the voice recorder, and I did take notes so stationary counts I guess.

tyllwyd

When I first started my self-employment from home, I went on an Inland Revenue course and said that the household bills were in my husband's name, so could I claim any expenses. Her reply was that it was OK, as long as there was a paper trail to show I'd paid. I took that to mean that as long as I could show my business account paying my husband the relevant amount to cover my expenses and then he went on and paid the bill, I could then claim that as a business expense. I could be wrong though?