Self Employed - Buying mobile phone, is it a capital allowance?

dazzer252

Hi,
I am currently employed full time but will shortly also be doing some private consulting work seperate to this. The additional income is likely to be below £5000 and my intention is to register as self employed with HMRC and do my own self assessment, etc.

I have booked myself on the HMRC new business course in June to get a better understanding of expenses, etc but one thing I intend to buy is a new mobile phone.

I currently have a "simple" phone for personal use on a pay monthly contract and understand that going forward I will only be able to claim back as an "expense" the % cost of the contract and calls that are for businees use (which is fair enough). I intend to keep this contract running but wish to buy a new smart phone in order that I can keep on top of my emails relating to my private work. The cost of the phone is £380 and I wondered if I can claim this back when I do this years self assessment? I understand (if I have read the HMRC site correctly!) that the phone purchase can't be claimed as an expense but can I claim this as a capital allowance and can I claim the whole amount?

I hope that all makes sense ?

Any advice on this will be gratefully received.

Many Thanks

Darren

ceeforcat

You can claim the cost of the 'phone as a Capital allowance. Under the Annual Allowance you can claim 100% of the £380 as a first year claim. This would, obviously, be restriced by any private fraction which you determine to be appropriate.

Good luck on the HMRC business course which, many years ago, I used to be part of. Just about covers the basics as I discovered very quickly after escaping.