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

sparklysaver

I'm only a part timer but I charge 30% of my contract cost to business expenses. Without the need to check emails/websites whilst out and about, I'd have no requirement for the unlimited data I'm paying for. I also chose a phone with a better camera and a larger screen size, purely with work in mind. I'm happy justifying the expense, should HMRC ask me to.

superliss

Big_Graeme wrote: »

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.

Glad most people on here are reinforcing what I already think. If your starting up MSing Maybe a cheaper phone and cheaper contract might be a good starting point. At the mo I'm paying £14 a month as my iphone is long out of contract. This year I will also e claiming majority of my laptop as an expense as if it wasn't for MSing I wouldn't have needed a new (reliable) one. Off to buy a new printer this weekend as welll. 100% of that will be on next years return as well. Any advice?

Big_Graeme

superliss wrote: »

This year I will also e claiming majority of my laptop as an expense as if it wasn't for MSing I wouldn't have needed a new (reliable) one. Off to buy a new printer this weekend as welll. 100% of that will be on next years return as well. Any advice?

Check the rules on offsetting office equipment against tax, they are not as straight forward as that, I'll be in the same boat as you soon regards a laptop.

sparklysaver

Big_Graeme wrote: »

Check the rules on offsetting office equipment against tax, they are not as straight forward as that, I'll be in the same boat as you soon regards a laptop.

When I did the HMRC courses for the newly self employed I was basically told that a replacement printer for under 100 quid wasn't even worth recording as a capital expense, but just to consider it a revenue item and write it off as expenditure. I told them that I'd plan on using the new laptop I was buying 50/50 for work/leisure and was told to charge it accordingly against my capital allowance. I charged the full cost of the external hard drive to work, as I did the cost of Office.

whitelabel

Look in to a laser printer if you just need b/w prints worth the cost if you do a lot of printing.
With your old one for occasional colour ?

I've yet to decision percentage cost of my new tablet but it will be a fair percentage as I use mainly for work, with occasional personal cost.

Big_Graeme

sparklysaver wrote: »

When I did the HMRC courses for the newly self employed I was basically told that a replacement printer for under 100 quid wasn't even worth recording as a capital expense, but just to consider it a revenue item and write it off as expenditure.

That's good to know, saves messing around there.

sparklysaver wrote: »

I told them that I'd plan on using the new laptop I was buying 50/50 for work/leisure and was told to charge it accordingly against my capital allowance. I charged the full cost of the external hard drive to work, as I did the cost of Office.

Been reading up on capital allowances and its made my head spin anyone got a link to a simple explanation?

Big_Graeme

whitelabel wrote: »

Look in to a laser printer if you just need b/w prints worth the cost if you do a lot of printing.
With your old one for occasional colour ?

Agreed I got a second hand one from work, I knew it had been looked after as I was the one who did the looking after, runs at around 4p per sheet using HP paper from ASDA. Samsung do some decent ones but if anything goes apart from the toner then you are looking at a new printer.

cccccatwoman

Quick question - How long does it typically take GYB to 'fail' a visit/report? Thanks.

finlay

Just tried to read the brief for a pub visit for those that shall not be named and it comes up with a "There is an error in the brief, please ring the office" Anyone else had this?

skintsocks

cccccatwoman wrote: »

Quick question - How long does it typically take GYB to 'fail' a visit/report? Thanks.

Usually about two weeks I think - it seems to be about a week after they allow the client to see it, and send any enquiries through to them.

Not a failed visit, but I've had a follow up email from them today for something I did three weeks ago, which is a lot longer after the visit than usual.