Reducing my tax by self employed newbie

vonsworld

Hello

I have recently become self employed and wondered if someone could give me some advice on what expenses I can claim against tax on my next return? Or perhaps point me in the direction of a website with more information…

I work as a self employed therapist and usually get my work from just one clinic. Everyone who works for this clinic is self employed except for a small number of admin staff who are on the payroll.

Since I visit the same workplace every day, rather than travelling to many different places for work, I presume I cannot claim for my daily travel expenses to and from the clinic?

I do a lot of admin work at home and therefore can I claim for using my home as an office. Someone suggested there may be a fixed amount I can claim each month to cover the gas and electric etc without having to provide an itemised account?

I have to wear a suit all the time in my job, so can I claim against wear and tear?

Can I claim for food and drink if the length of my working day goes over a certain number of hours?

I already know many of the items I can claim such as stationery, internet access, professional memberships, training etc, but am unclear about the above items.

Thanks

CKhalvashi

vonsworld wrote: »

Hello

I have recently become self employed and wondered if someone could give me some advice on what expenses I can claim against tax on my next return? Or perhaps point me in the direction of a website with more information…

I work as a self employed therapist and usually get my work from just one clinic. Everyone who works for this clinic is self employed except for a small number of admin staff who are on the payroll.

Since I visit the same workplace every day, rather than travelling to many different places for work, I presume I cannot claim for my daily travel expenses to and from the clinic?

I do a lot of admin work at home and therefore can I claim for using my home as an office. Someone suggested there may be a fixed amount I can claim each month to cover the gas and electric etc without having to provide an itemised account?

I have to wear a suit all the time in my job, so can I claim against wear and tear?

Can I claim for food and drink if the length of my working day goes over a certain number of hours?

I already know many of the items I can claim such as stationery, internet access, professional memberships, training etc, but am unclear about the above items.

Thanks

You’d be freelance in that case and available to take up work with others.

CK

pjclar02

Hello there

vonsworld wrote: »

Since I visit the same workplace every day, rather than travelling to many different places for work, I presume I cannot claim for my daily travel expenses to and from the clinic?

You presume correctly - this will be deemed a permanent workplace and ordinary commuting, which is not allowable as a deduction. If you go out to visit clients, then this should be allowable.

vonsworld wrote: »

I do a lot of admin work at home and therefore can I claim for using my home as an office. Someone suggested there may be a fixed amount I can claim each month to cover the gas and electric etc without having to provide an itemised account?

The fixed amount is £3 per week. Alternatively, you can take a proportion of your total household bills if you are using a room exclusively for business.

vonsworld wrote: »

I have to wear a suit all the time in my job, so can I claim against wear and tear?

Nope - afraid not.

vonsworld wrote: »

Can I claim for food and drink if the length of my working day goes over a certain number of hours?

Usually not, as you would have to eat anyway regardless of whether you were working late. This is a grey area and there are occasions where you can claim for this.

Hope this helps

FatAndy

vonsworld wrote: »

Hello

I have recently become self employed and wondered if someone could give me some advice on what expenses I can claim against tax on my next return? Or perhaps point me in the direction of a website with more information…

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/relief-self-emp.htm

As the HMRC says to be allowable expenditure, "it must be 'wholly and exclusively' for carrying on and earning the profits of your business."

For this reason you couldn't normally claim for food and drink as this would not be 'wholly and exclusively' a business expense.

There's a seperate ruling regarding clothing which states that you can't claim for anything which "forms part of an ‘everyday' wardrobe". If you buy a suit which could be worn outside of work, irrespective of whether or not you actually wear or have any intention of wearing it outside of work, then you can't claim for it.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/BIM37910.htm

John_Pierpoint

There are all sorts of arbitrary rules, so this is where an accountant can earn his fees.

For example you can use a tax allowable van but don't get caught parking it in the supermarket car park(unless you have gone there to change the light bulbs).

You can claim a modest mid day meal if you are an HGV driver but not if you are driving a van/taxi.

You can claim breakfast and supper as the normal expenses of a business trip but I'm not sure what the latest ruling on late night taxis is.