Reclaim tax for computer

hypnoticmonkey88

Hi,

Thanks to everyone who helped out previously with my last tax enquiry.

I'm employed by a telephone calling company. My sole job role is to ring people up and ask them some survey questions.

This is a job I do from home, although I am in a contract of employment with a company who provide me with work. My job *has* to be done through a computer because the phone calls are placed over a VOIP internet service so that my employer can monitor us as we work.

My existing (old) computer is not entirely up to the task, so I'm looking to buy a new one. Is this purchase tax deductable, given it is for my work? I would also use the computer for some personal uses, so would I have to split the cost before claiming the tax back?

I'm currently paid and taxed through PAYE by my employer.

Many thanks in advance,

hypnoticmonkey

SeniorSam

Unless you are 'self-employed', I doubt you can claim any expenses at all. Your employers should be able to answer all your questions in this respect.

Sam

little_woman

Your employer should supply the computer, as long as your personal use it only "incidental" to your business use, it should not then become a taxable benefit.

If your employer refuses, you could always get them to buy it for you using "salary sacrifice" as a last resort. Just give them written permission deduction the cost of the computer from your salary before Tax & NIC. This covers them from reducing your taxable income to pay for it and because its is then paid for out of salary sacrifice it would technically still belong to you, not your employer. But make sure you do use it for work and that your personal use is incidental to the business use as mentioned earlier or you may find HMRC may decide your employer purchased it for you and it could become taxable.

jimmo

Provided your employer does not provide you with a computer, yes you can claim for the purchase of a new one.

Your claim will be a claim to Capital Allowances and, subject to a restriction to reflect private use, you can claim a 100% first year allowance. This is known as Annual Investment Allowance.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM36730.htm

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM36605.htm