Claim expenses on second hand goods

dllive

Hi all. I'm a self employed freelancer. I need a new laptop and dont want to go to the expense of buying a new one. My cousin is selling her old one. Am I able to buy this and claim it as an expense on my SA form? If so, what would be acceptable as a receipt?
Thanks

PlutoinCapricorn

I would add it to the legitimate sundry business expenses in the normal way: no point in treating it as a major capital item.

Could you pay via a cheque or bank transfer, and get a bill/receipt from the seller? HMRC may never ask to see your records, but it is best to have something ready just in case.

ceeforcat

There should not really be a problem with this. I would simply pace a reasonable value on the laptop and bring it in as a capital asset in much the same way as a labourer would value his tools at commencement - there would be 100% capital allowances on it anyway.

dllive

thankyou guys.

Is "sundry business expense" and "capital allowance" the same thing? (I dont think it is, but it sounds like I can just put it down as an expense). We're only talking £200 for a second hand laptop from my cousin. I initially posted this message because I was wandering whats stopping people from saying they bought loads of stuff from their family/friends to reduce their tax liability? IE: Its not the same as buying something form a shop where you get given a till receipt.