Self employed and voluntary work

DevilsAdvocate1

Hi,

I am self employed and busy doing my tax return. In addition to working, I do some voluntary work. Can I offset my voluntary work expenses against my income (to try and reduce my tax)?

Thanks, D.

Jowo_2

There is a tax forum on MSE.

What expenses are you incurring doing voluntary work and do you do this as an individual or as a business?

I would speculatively doubt that you can do this - the business expenses that you can offset against your taxes are ones solely related to operating it. Expenses relating to the personal realm unrelated to the business are irrelevant. But do get this verified as that's my assumption based on being self-employed where my accountant has always provided guidance that is strict about it being incurred directly in running the business.

DevilsAdvocate1

Thanks.

The voluntary work is related to the paid work. My main expense is mileage. I teach antenatal classes through the NCT (this is paid) and then provide support after the babies are born (this is not paid). Part of this is speaking to the parents on the phone and face to fact, and part of it is related to a toddler group that I run (which the parents are invited to come to).

D.

[Deleted User]

Why not tele HMRC and ask?