PAYE contractor tax-free/refund Laptop?

ashcarrot

I work as a contractor under PAYE can i claim tax off the purchase of a laptop if its solely for business purposes? and would i wait till the year is out then request a refund or do some sort of filing this financial year? (im paying 40% tax)

WHA

You can only claim an expense against employment income if it is "necessary" to do your employment - this normally means that you are personally required to incur expenses under the contract of employment. If your employer provides suitable equipment and facilities, then you do not "necessarily" have to buy a laptop. I would suggest that you ensure the personal provision of a laptop is stipulated in your contract of employment or that you get a letter from your employer confirming that you are required to provide a personal laptop to perform your duties. If so, you need to make a claim on a tax return for the tax year ended 5 April 2005.

mutley74

If you are a PAYE contractor, i take it that you are going via an agency that deducts tax and NI before payment to yourself.

When i enquired about claiming VAT on computers back, i was told it has been stopped by IR, unless you run your own LTD co.

If you are PAYE, consider moving to an employee of an unbrella company, and see your income rise around 15%, legally. I use a company called Brookson, one of the largest umbrella cos in the UK. PM if you want more info. If you use me as a referral i will split any cashback, and a £5 for charity.

StratApproach

Saw the subject and I'm hoping for a bit of advice on the back of it, please and hanks.

If you are self-employed, ie invoicing a company and paying own NI etc as a 'soletrader' working as a consultant, is there a benefit in reducing tax by purchasing a laptop.

I have been putting the equivalent tax to the side (over the last five months) as though I was on PAYE, so I'm looking for ways of increasing income or purchasing goods (which I need to do the job) to offset against tax.

(I could do with a new new laptop and 'phone' (mines on its last legs) as I use it a lot - but a bit frightened to buy one unless its out of the reserve I've set up for the taxman). Otherwise I'll make do until I'm a bit more secure.

Thanks

StratApproach