Mystery Shopping Thread 25 *PLEASE READ THE OP FIRST**PLEASE NO CLIENT NAMES OR FEES

Larac

One recent assignment I did asked me to name all the items in the baskets at the checkout area. There were 10 baskets, so stood near the checkout pretending to text and used the notepad to note it down.
How did people do these jobs without smartphones.....

skivenov

Piemaster wrote: »

No way HMRC would allow that, ever.

Maybe not the same for people who are self-employed part time, but I've always 50%'d all my phone costs (handset and subscription as I normally buy them separately)

However, when I first got a smartphone for the other job, I 100%'d the handset cost as I already had a mobile phone that was fine for my own personal use, but I needed emails and internet on the road.

I'd argue that it's no different to buying a PDA for the business would have been a few years ago.

chinora

Why do the companies keep changing the goal posts!!!

superliss

skivenov wrote: »

Maybe not the same for people who are self-employed part time, but I've always 50%'d all my phone costs (handset and subscription as I normally buy them separately)

However, when I first got a smartphone for the other job, I 100%'d the handset cost as I already had a mobile phone that was fine for my own personal use, but I needed emails and internet on the road.

I'd argue that it's no different to buying a PDA for the business would have been a few years ago.

I'm not talking about spending £500 on the latest iphone. I'm talking about spending £60-£70 on a cheap handset for pay as you go or sim only. Would argue that having a smartphone is almost essential to maximise work. I claim a % of my line rental not the handset cost myself.

skivenov

Can't see them arguing over that for a minute. Emails on the go, fastest finger first (GRG, etc), hardly hard to justify the investment.

Big_Graeme

Piemaster wrote: »

No way HMRC would allow that, ever.

Can and do, I've a phone I use 75% of the time for MS'ing, if I didn't shop I could get away with a £20 cheapo, I split my bill 75% to expenses and 25% I pay personally. And I'm talking the Samsung S4 and an all you can eat package.

No different to buying a cheap smartphone at TNS phone shops and buying top ups for it. If it is a legitimate business expense HMRC can't object.

whitelabel

I have 2 phones my work smart phone and a basic personal one. Work one is 100% tax listed...

Boredupnorth

Piemaster wrote: »

No way HMRC would allow that, ever.

Rubbish, it is an acceptable business expense

JohnnyG

Piemaster wrote: »

No way HMRC would allow that, ever.

Very much tax deductible. I offset 2/3rds of my monthly contract for MSing and, TBH, could offset more as that's all I seem to use it for now.

Big_Graeme

See what you have to think is, if you were employed in a similar role for a company full time would it be reasonable to expect a company funded phone to carry out your duties, if the answer is yes then HMRC would apply that to your self employment.

What they wouldn't stand is huge purchases or ridiculous packages that are either just to off set tax or for your personal use.