Tax Tony

Sweethays

How can I find out what the previous 6 years tax band thresholds were before 40% tax is incurred?

Theonly'Gaye'inthevillage

I left the UK on 8/9/2005 to live in France. Until then I was self-employed. I tried to continue the business after moving, but the travelling was too much and so finished the business in March 2006. According to the notes with the 05/06 Tax Return, non-residents do not have to pay Class 4 NIC. I calculated that including trips back, I was in the UK for less than 183 days in 2005/6. I therefore ticked the exemption box and gave an explanation. Was I right to do this, or will I be asked to pay the NIC?

calm2

My husband died 16 months ago and I now receive a small pension from his employer which tips me into 40% tax. This is collected via PAYE through my salary. I am paying into a stakeholder pension to boost my pension, however I only get the lower amount of tax relief (?25%) added to it. Do I have to fill in a tax return to trigger a higher 'donation' from tax office?
Many thanks

AwakeDreamingUK

I am a self-employed freelance web developer. I work from home all of the time. How much expenses can I claim out of council tax, rent, electricity, broadband and cost of laptop, if any? Is there a formula, or a percentage, or is it just guesswork?

Ramonica

I am a self employed foreign language interpreter often working for a local police and courts providing translating service. I heard that I may deduct the cost of a trip to a country of origin (for which I provide an interpreting service) from my earnings.
• Is a visit to country of origin a tax deductible expense for a foreign language interpreter?
• What trip expenses are tax deductible (transport, accommodation, daily allowance, etc)
• How many yearly trips and what duration are tax deductible?
Perhaps you could direct me to a specific document where I could get all the necessary details.
Thank you. R.

Pound

I'm thinking about selling things on eBay. This will be more of a hobby than a source of income and I expect to make less than £50 each month, but I will be buying things to resell. I've got no idea whether I need to pay tax on this profit and if so on what. Could you give me some pointers on what my obligations and where I could find more information?

consumer31

hi tony
i started working for a greeting cards company in may2006 on a self employed basis, i use my own car, and a spare bedroom to store the cards and work from there. i also have to use the phone alot to phone the company. i was wondering if i could get a reduction in my tax and how i would do this.
also me and my husband have also bought our second house which we are thinking of renting out once we have done it all up i was wondering how much tax would be charged on this property. many thanx

yodasnowman

Hi. I have been a self-employed actor for around 7 years now. Everywhere I look for information on what is allowable as expenses gives me different advice. When I ring the revenue their operators often give conflicting information. Is there a recognised list of allowable expenses, including acceptable percentages for items that are part business/part personal? Where is the best place to go for advice? I am getting very confused (particularly over what to claim regarding my car) and have no idea if I have been claiming for the right things. Please help!

freckles68

Dear Uncle Tony

I started working as a free lance consultant to humanitarian organisations last year and go abroad for work quite often for periods ranging from one week to one month. I have been in touch with the tax office about several queries related to this but they were not clear, no one else seems to know and I can't (yet) afford an accountant. I hope you can help!

1. I often do work for the UN which pays 'per diems' to cover your expenses while in country (80% paid up front in country in cash, 20% by transfer later). I usually 'go local', live cheaply and bring most of the per diem home. Should I declare per diems as income?

2. Can I declare the following expenses?
a) food bought in supermarkets abroad (I cook rather than eat out)
b) membership of a charity through which I have been given a lot of work
c) use of internet cafes abroad (for work)
d) (work) laundry done abroad
e) rent of flat I lived in when abroad for one month (for work)
f) cleaning of this flat
g) fee to change of airline ticket (to stay longer for more work)
h) commission and transfer charges for international transfers to personal account
i) travel guide books for the countries I work in.

3. In most of the (poor) countries I work in it is hard to get receipts. I keep very detailed notes of what I spend. What is your advice?

4. What exchange rate should I use when putting in expenses made abroad?

And two other questions, if you would not mind...

5. A friend stayed at my flat for six months (while I was here) and paid £200 towards food and bills. Should I declare this as income, and where?

6. The same friend converted my dining room table by adding a keyboard tray. Can I charge the B&Q materials as business expenses?

Thank you very much for your help. I feel a bit lost and want to do things properly! Best wishes for a happy New Year.

polishingpete

Hi Uncle Tony,
Can I claim the entertainment cost against tax of a New Years Eve party (meal, drinks) for my staff as this was our Staff Xmas party.
Peter