SAAFE forum
General Category => Questions and Answers => Topic started by: JulietteTV on 11 January 2013, 10:35:39 am
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Hi I'm just wondering what others do re claiming for their expenses on 'work premises.' I'm in the process of submitting my tax return and wondering how much I can claim relief for in using my own flat for work use? I have heard something like 30 per cent of rent/bills etc is permissible but also read elsewhere that you can only claim relief if you have a specific area which is reserved purely for work? Any advice would be great!
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I really cant help re what you are asking as I never have and never will use my home for work but what I do believe is that for all they charge it is so much easier for you if you employ an accountant. They know exactly what you can and cant claim for (be sure to be honest what you do as they will not be shocked and will still take your money) so well worth their cost.
It helps with sleepless nights too as you dont lose sleep thinking about "can I claim for this or that". Just a suggestion though. They are not as expensive as people think and can work out at around only a tenner a week.
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I haven't used an accountant. I just do it myself. But I do get emails on AW from accountants who assume we don't pay tax lol. Am tempted to use one of them.
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Anyone who works from home, whatever your profession usually claims expenses based upon the proportion of the property used for the business especially if you have a larger property than if you were not carrying out your business there. It often makes it easier if you have a seperate room for this purpose and an Accountant can provide the best advice.
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I haven't used an accountant. I just do it myself. But I do get emails on AW from accountants who assume we don't pay tax lol. Am tempted to use one of them.
I have been self-employed in another area of work for the last seven or so years so am pretty used to submitting my own online tax returns and am pretty happy paying the amount of tax I usually need to, though haven't made claims for a work place in the past as worked in a driving related occupation.
As I understand from reading through some of the past posts on here I can claim for a proportion of rent and rates based on the space used and amount of time in use for work, which sounds reasonable enough given that someone else may be claiming for an entire work flat at a much higher price. Do you claim anything for the place you work from?
I think the rest of it is pretty clear on what would be reasonable deductible expenses for the job.
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Just call the Inland Revenue and ask them. They're really nice people and very helpful. No-one there wants you to pay more Tax than you owe, they just want to help you get it right.
You dont need to specify what you use the space for exactly regardless of what your stated occupation is on your Tax Return. Whether you are a 'Therapist' or a 'Counsellor' or whatever just say what you use - ie Spare bedroom is used exclusively for business in a three bedroom property or Downstairs room is exclusively for business plus 50% of a bedroom in a five bedroom property - and they'll work it all out for you.
R xx
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I think the amount you can claim is ?4 per week any additional amount you will need to prove this is solely for business use and would not be included in your everyday needs to run your home. But as already said just give the Tax Office a call they are usually very helpful.
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I'm going to have to start sorting my tax stuff out soon and this was one of the questions I had so thanks ladies.
Xx
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This may be of interest http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/relief-household.htm