As an employee can I claim a tax rebate for a van?

preapproved64

Apologies if this is in the wrong section, there’s so many categories, I couldn’t find something that matched what I was looking for.

I am a PAYE employee at a construction company, and I have recently bought a van for work use. The van is my only vehicle so will be use partially for my own personal use, probably about 50-50. My question is, can I claim back anything on my taxes for buying the van?

I understand that if I was self-employed this would be tax deductible, but it’s not so clear when you are employed.

Caz3121

nothing that I can think of for the purchase, possibly something for the business mileage depending on the rate your employer reimburses you

sheramber

if you need a van  to carry out  your work why is your employer not supplying it?

Remember, commuting to and from work is private use and not tax deductible.

preapproved64

Sheramber, my question exactly! I’ve been ‘encouraged’ to buy a van but it’s never been explicitly said that I need a van for work. Although it’s blatantly obvious that I would be unable to do my job without one. 

As for commuting, I don’t have a fixed place of work, I travel to multiple different sites each week, and they change as jobs are completed. It was my understanding that this travel is tax deductible? 

Brie

As I understand it travelling to and from work cannot be considered an expense if you are PAYE.  If you travel to one site and then need to go to another that may be considered an expense. 

But if work is expecting you to provide a vehicle they really should be paying for it or at least contributing.  Otherwise you should be able to get to work by whatever means you like - bicycle, pony & cart, microlite.  

Grumpy_chap

Brie said:

you should be able to get to work by whatever means you like - bicycle, pony & cart, microlite.  

To be fair, if the OP travels to work by Microlite, the workplace will need quite a large  car park to allow for arrival and departure

Being serious, there is no capital allowance for an employee on the costs of a vehicle.  The OP can claim mileage at the rates permitted (usually 45p / 25p) for genuine business mileage (not commuting) and if the employer does not reimburse this mileage, then the OP can claim back the tax on that through tax return  45 pence rate equates to 9 pence claim for BR tax payer.

This thread would be better in the Cutting Tax forum.