Tax Return Question

Mothman

My son has to do a tax return to declare some work he did as a 'personal trainer' on a self employed basis outside of his regular PAYE job. Beforehand he did a 'personal trainer' course through a local gym the cost of which he has been paying in monthly installments over 24 months. Can any one advise if the sum of the monthly installments he paid during the tax year for the training course would be allowable as a deduction against tax?

He has never done a tax return before and doesn't want to get it wrong.

Thanks

Pennywise

No, acquisition of new skills/qualifications isn't an allowable business expenses.

uknick

What was his income for the personal training for the year? If it's below £1k he can claim the small traders allowance which means he doesn't need to complete a return. Having said that, I'm assuming he has no other reason to complete a self assessment.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tax-free-allowances-on-property-and-trading-income#trade

Mothman

Thanks for the replies, I think his income from the training was about £1500 and so above the small traders allowance. He has been fined for not doing a return and so it will be an expensive lesson for him.

00ec25

Mothman wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, I think his income from the training was about £1500 and so above the small traders allowance. He has been fined for not doing a return and so it will be an expensive lesson for him.

a fine implies you are asking about the 16/17 tax year ended on 5 April 2017 as the 17/18 tax return is not yet due

on that basis the £1,000 trading allowance cannot be claimed as that applies only from 6 April 17