Self employment, how do i claim electricity and gas expenses

timbon_2

The work i am doing is all from home, its an internet based job, sort of like admin but all online.

The hours vary from week to week, some weeks its 10 and others its 20/30.

Would i be able to claim back part of the energy bills?

The other question is, the name on the bills isnt mine but i do pay for one of either gas or electricity every quarter and online by direct debit, would i need to prove this?

I have never filled in a tax return but i am registered online, i have been registered since June 2012 since i started.

booler

I am self employed and work from home. The rule is that you can claim a percentage of your heating, lighting and power bills if you have a room that is used as an office. In my case I have four main apartments, three bedrooms and a lounge. One of the bedrooms is used exclusively as an office so as it is one from four I claim 25% of the charges.

I am not sure how it works if you are not using a room exclusively (as your post suggests). I would think the best course of action is to see an accountant. I would also think that trying to claim allowances when you are not paying tax may not be a good idea. Perhaps you should prepare yourself for a hefty tax bill when they catch up with you.

bartnwood

booler wrote: »

I would think the best course of action is to see an accountant. I would also think that trying to claim allowances when you are not paying tax may not be a good idea. Perhaps you should prepare yourself for a hefty tax bill when they catch up with you.

If timbon's self employment did not commence until June '12 which the post suggests then the deadline to file a tax return and pay any tax due for the 2012/13 tax year is 31.01.14.

Allowances can be claimed and it is a good idea to have your figures worked out well in advance for tax planning purposes so that if there is a tax liability you have plenty of time to prepare for this.

booler

Sorry Timbon I misread the date in your post. Bartnwood is correct.

Savvy_Sue

booler wrote: »

I would also think that trying to claim allowances when you are not paying tax may not be a good idea. Perhaps you should prepare yourself for a hefty tax bill when they catch up with you.

The OP asked if they could claim anything back: the answer's no, so there's not going to be any 'catching up' to do. However, reasonable costs can be offset against income from self-employment, meaning that actual income can exceed the personal allowance before any tax is due.

timbon_2

Ok i rang them up and they said i can claim 1/3 of my bills, my self assessment is due before 31 January 2014, still not sure how it all works regarding proof etc but i do not need to return it by the end of this month anyway.