self assesment help

tryin2bms

first time filling in form trying to do it alone as cannot afford an accountant
my year only runs from 19/12/2011- 05/04/2012 due to starting out
tried ringing tax office but no one available to help and a call back would be next monday
basically i have a car that i use for my self empolyment. i'mstuck where it asks about annual investment allowance/capital allowances etc
my car was valued at £2500,when i started and it comes under 20% thing due to co2 emissions
but confussed as what to put and where
any help greatly apprieciated

John_Pierpoint

As you have no accountant, I am assuming that your self employment profit is modest.
In these circumstances you are allowed to charge 45 pence per mile for all business miles up to 10,000, as an expense against your billings. This is instead of flaffing about trying to work out your actual costs.
Did you keep a diary of where you went and why?

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/rates/travel.htm

nomunnofun

The capital allowances due on this car for 2011/12 would be 149.

However I am much inclined to agree with the previous poster.

chrismac1

Agreed. Also, whatever you come up with by tomorrow, SUBMIT IT. If you encounter any problems with the database matching up your record, at least you have a fighting chance to sort it before the deadline.

If you later decide you made a mistake with the mileage or anything else, relax. You have until 31 Jan 2014 to re-submit the return. This week's task is to get a reasonable number into the box - ideally the final number without a re-submission. But just filing something gets rid of the prospect of the fine, so file something!