Tax deductions

[sarah707]

:D This list is far from exhaustive... feel free to add more! :D

This is Pauline's link for working out the %ages...

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/bim52751.htm

The tax year runs from the previous April to the current April, so don’t give any figures that relate to income/expenditure outside of these dates, except when you are first starting out and have incurred expenses to set up and to comply with Ofsted requirements. Then you can claim the following (and any more you have recorded in your expenses book) –


Stair gates
Grill covers for drains
First Aid box and contents
Fencing needed to make the garden safe
Padlocks for garden gates
Cost of moving locks on doors and making good
Warning stickers on patio doors
Play equipment (indoor and out) incl books and drawing supplies suitable for the age of children to be minded
Reins or wrist straps
Socket covers & other safety equipment
Fireguard
Application / registration fee
Fire blanket
NCMA membership
Accident book
Contracts printing
Public liability insurance
Advertising costs

You can then claim for the day-to-day expenses incurred in running your business from home...

A new list, fully updated for 2010, has been uploaded onto the forum.

You can find it at the top of the forum in 'free resources'.

I hope you find it helpful :D

[berkschick]

Wow, thank you Sarah!

I have missed a few things off, this means I have earnt even less than I thought haha

How do you work out the % for sky, household insurance and AA cover?

Also, with regards the car, we were told either 40p a mile OR proportion of mot, service, insurance, etc but the 40p a mile much easier and normally a better rate. I have been claiming the 40p a mile, not that I do much mileage anyway, but can I also claim for service, mot and insurance?

[tulip0803]

Thank you I will pass it on to my computerless minder riends who I know do not claim their entitlements. One doesn't claim mileage for her car and never has done over 14 years. She has asked me to sit down and go over it with her. xx:clapping:

[sarah707]

Wow, thank you Sarah!

I have missed a few things off, this means I have earnt even less than I thought haha

Oh no! Even less to be silly spending!!

How do you work out the % for sky, household insurance and AA cover?

I work full time so I put 10% through for most things but 50% for sky as I wouldn't have the blooming thing if it was just my children - they have freeview in their rooms

Also, with regards the car, we were told either 40p a mile OR proportion of mot, service, insurance, etc but the 40p a mile much easier and normally a better rate. I have been claiming the 40p a mile, not that I do much mileage anyway, but can I also claim for service, mot and insurance?

Explained in the 1st post on the thread!

IF YOU CAN JUSTIFY IT AND PROVE YOU SPEND IT, CLAIM IT!

[berkschick]

Thank you Sarah!

Very helpful as my earnings will increase by £100 a week in 2 weeks time so it will be good to "loose" some of that money.

[Trouble]

:D This list is far from exhaustive... feel free to add more! :D

This is Pauline's link for working out the %ages...

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/bim52751.htm

The tax year runs from the previous April to the current April, so don’t give any figures that relate to income/expenditure outside of these dates, except when you are first starting out and have incurred expenses to set up and to comply with Ofsted requirements. Then you can claim the following (and any more you have recorded in your expenses book) –


Stair gates
Grill covers for drains
First Aid box and contents
Fencing needed to make the garden safe
Padlocks for garden gates
Cost of moving locks on doors and making good
Warning stickers on patio doors
Play equipment (indoor and out) incl books and drawing supplies suitable for the age of children to be minded
Reins or wrist straps
Socket covers & other safety equipment
Fireguard
Application / registration fee
Fire blanket
NCMA membership
Accident book
Contracts printing
Public liability insurance
Advertising costs

You can then claim for the day-to-day expenses incurred in running your business from home –

• Baby cutlery/crockery if you do not already have that available
• Boiler or other maintenance agreement (%age)
• Books, magazines, newspapers, posters etc
• Broadband (%age)
• Car insurance, including any extra payable for transporting minded children; tax; MOT; rescue (%age)
• Car – capital allowance or petrol usage - this varies annually – contact tax office for details
• Carpet / suite cleaning (one a year)
• Computer software / printer cartridges / paper purchased for the use of the children in your care or for your work
• Council tax (%age)
• Courses - travel to and from courses
• Days out – to the park (including entry costs and ice-creams once there), seaside, zoo, swimming pool, birthday parties, cinema etc, not forgetting the mileage (petrol consumption)
• Drawing/writing/painting equipment to replenish stocks
• Equipment (normal or specialist), again if needed for a child from a different age group or to comply with a disability request
• Electricity (%age) - including food preparation
• Food, drink and milk used for minded children
If you make batches of food for the whole family and use half for the minded children, claim half the cost of your expenses. It might be useful to keep food receipts for a few weeks every so often to check what you are charging as expenses is right
• First aid equipment to re-stock cabinet
• Food - add up your meals/snacks provided every week!
• Gas (%age)
• Insurance - house (%age)
• Letters/ newsletters to parents
• Magazines to keep up-to-date on minding issues
• Mobile phone - (%age) if you need to be contacted by a parent/school then you will have to carry one
• Petrol - estimated mileage (petrol consumption) to collect/deliver minded children
- Prams / buggies / buggy boards etc bought to replace
• Presents and cards for birthdays, Easter, Christmas
• Safety alterations as required by Ofsted at inspections
• Toys / games etc - to replace broken ones, if you take on a new child from a different age group or to follow a child’s interests
• Ofsted annual fee
• Photographs printed for parents; used in setting; for evidence
• RAC/AA membership (%age)
• Stationery including stamps, pens, pencils, envelopes, cash book, receipt book, first aid record book, photocopying etc
• Safety equipment recognised as needed when doing risk assessments
• Subscription fees to any Childminding groups
• Sundries – include cotton wool, hand towels, kitchen rolls, dustbin liners, gloves, disinfectant, washing-up liquid, loo roll etc
• Telephone / mobile cost / rental (%age)
• Telephone / mobile calls / texts - to parents of minded children
• Toiletries incl nappies if supplied, wipes, toilet paper
• TV licence (%age)
• TV – sky or similar, if used for minding (%age)
• Unexpected expenses arising from minding needs eg car breakdown (%age); boiler breakdown (%age)
• Water rates (%age)
• Wear and tear on household furnishings (1/10th of your total income before any other deductions)

internet (a portion of use)
gardener
cleaner
fencing if its for little ones
anything youve bought for little ones that your children are not the age for(my kids are 11 and 14 so anything little i could claim for)
you can buy your own childrens toys off them and sell them to yourself
staionery

[manjay]

I do! I have to keep a car on the road and I have to show all the docs to Ofsted so I claim - I put through at 10% again

IF YOU CAN JUSTIFY IT AND PROVE YOU SPEND IT, CLAIM IT!

Absolutely!!! No wonder you don't pay tax Sarah. I thought I had everything possible but there is a few on there I have missed. Thanks

amanda xx

[netty]

Thanks for that a few that i had not thought about.
Netty:D

[Cheeky Chops]

if i only work 25 hours a week childminding, and i only watch tv about 2 hours each day, how much could i claim from sky??! x

[sarah707]

I claim most things at 10% for 40 hour week... like on the examples in Pauline's link... so following that, 25 hours appears to be 6%... :D

[Cheeky Chops]

hehe thanks for that!! I am a little slow on the mathmatical side....!! xx xx

[sarah707]

I'm the same! That's why i like it that it's 10% for full time :laughing: I can usually manage to work out 10%! :laughing:

[Sarsar3NCH]

Fantastic thread Sarah, thanks so much, this is a really weak area for me

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Sarah

[louise]

Thanks for this. I thought i left lots off. Well its back to the books for me. I will get my tax down enough. I done a rough count last week and it looks like ill have to pay £500 as i have two incomes. So anything that can get it down is great.

[zuzana1]

Thanks so much, ladies, for this great information! As I said somewhere else, I would love to make the change from employee to childminder, but as this would mean becoming self-employed, I am afraid to "leap in" and find out that I am much worse off! I have heard from one or two childminders I know slightly, that they have so many deductions for their business, that they do not pay tax at all! I found this a little hard to believe, but now I'm not so sure! You've given me food for thought. Zuzana

[Hopscotch]

I never even thought of claiming for the internet, but when you think about it the amount of time i use it for when researching for planning and of course on the forum proberly 50% of internet usage is used for childminding so how much could i claim for?.
Bev X

[crazybones]

I have always paid some tax. Not a huge amount but until I came here and saw what I should have been claiming for I realise I was doing myself. Not this year though. :thumbsup:

Annie x

[sarah707]

I never even thought of claiming for the internet, but when you think about it the amount of time i use it for when researching for planning and of course on the forum proberly 50% of internet usage is used for childminding so how much could i claim for?.
Bev X

I think you've answered your own question! :laughing:

If you use it for childminding and you can justify using it if someone comes to check... claim it! :D

[anneriddington]

Great thread, there were quite a few things that I did claim back last year, hadn't thought about the sky one. What about car insurance again, my company didn't increase the premium for class 1 use when I increased the cover do you think I can still claim back a percentage of the total premium?

[sarah707]

Great thread, there were quite a few things that I did claim back last year, hadn't thought about the sky one. What about car insurance again, my company didn't increase the premium for class 1 use when I increased the cover do you think I can still claim back a percentage of the total premium?

Do you use the car for childminding?

If you do then claim - i just use the percentages from the site that pauline found! :D

[anneriddington]

Yes I use it to go to and from playgroup and then on outings

[Little Pumpkins]

hi so is it 10% a month for everything on that list?

sorry confused

you know for home ins, int etc

also how do I put down all my set up costs? for tax sorry very lost

[bex4adz]

Hi can i claim for travel expenses via bus as I don't drive.

[sarah707]

Just to clarify - you can claim for anything you use as a business expense. For example, if you do not use Sky TV for your mindees, then you cannot claim it... if you go on the bus with your mindees then you should claim for the bus fare.

The theory is - if you are ever questioned by the tax office, you have to be able to justify your figures. It is not worth lying about them... but equally if you spend the money, then you can claim it back.

Pauline's link should help with the question about %ages -

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/bim52751.htm

[LittleMissSparkles]

Sarah that is a fabulous list many thanks for the time you have taken to do it xxx

[ChocolateChip]

I agree Susan, Sarah has done a brilliant job!

Just wondering when you work out your working hours to claim the percentages, do you only include actual minding hours or can you log time you've spent doing paperwork aswell?
Nikki. :thumbsup:

[sarah707]

I agree Susan, Sarah has done a brilliant job!

Just wondering when you work out your working hours to claim the percentages, do you only include actual minding hours or can you log time you've spent doing paperwork aswell?
Nikki. :thumbsup:

My understanding is that you use your working hours as those are what your income refers to... :D

[disney]

does any one no if you can claim tax deduction on items that you first get to set up ,even if you have had a start up grant for them :idea: not sure x

[berkschick]

I think you can but you have to add the grant as income so not much point!

[disney]

yer sorry debbie not thinking straight really tired , only started childminding in sept and its great but the accounts is some thing i have never done before . and im on tender hooks as my ofsted inspection was due in jan & thet still havnt been yet:angry: x

[disney]

im confussed now my childminder friend as just told me that you dont use a start up grant as part of your earring if you get it before you start minding , i got mine in july and spent it but didnt start minding untill sept .:) so do i not count it then :idea: she said it states this in the tax link x

[berkschick]

But you cant then put the items you purchase with your grant through your books because they came out of the grant and not your pocket iyswim.

[disney]

yer got ya ok thanks it all works out the same in the end any way , sorry stupid question . still nice chatting :blush: x

[sarah707]

yer got ya ok thanks it all works out the same in the end any way , sorry stupid question . still nice chatting :blush: x

NO questions are ever stupid! If we don't ask (and I ask my fair share too) then we will never know!

That's what we're here for... somebody usually knows....

Glad it's sorted now! :D

[disney]

Thanks sarah , spent so much time settling in my new children and trying to settle into this very different job ( working on my own ) that i need to start sorting these accounts out ,thought the policies were bad but at least they are all done now :clapping: x

[RedDragon]

I didn't earn a lot last year before expenses were taken out - by the time expenses were taken out I barely had any left - in fact, if I was honest and took out what I actually spent I don't think I made anything at all! lol

The reason for this is a lot of the toys/equipment I use in my childminding setting my own children actually use - plus any trips I take the minded children on I could actually add on myself and my children onto the bill as expenses (farm etc).

SO, the question I would like to ask is how much are we actually allowed to take off in expenses.

This year I am working more hours so wages will go up but I know I spend at least 2/3 rds of that on expenses - is that considered ok, am I allowed to take off more as long as it is justified (i.e. I keep all receipts etc).

Thanks for any help.

[sarah707]

If you can justify the expense, then take it off...

My understanding from various tax courses over the years is that they expect us to lose about 2/3 to expenses...

Hope that helps :D

[RedDragon]

Yes, it does help, thank you.

I buy so much stuff, I feed them (organic mainly), we go on lots of outings.

If I saved every single receipt (the only thing I can't get receipts for is the fruit + veg shop) I bet my expenses would virtually match my wages at the end of the tax year.


The reason I ask is because I receive WFTC and want to be confident that I am not doing anything wrong (I worry a lot).:) :)

[sarah707]

I and want to be confident that I am not doing anything wrong (I worry a lot).:) :)

Well don't ... just ask! :D

[RedDragon]

You are all such a nice bunch :clapping:

[TillyTwinkle]

Wow, what an amazing bunch you all are!!! I received my tax return papers today and have been dreading it, but after reading through all your comments and links i'm not feeling half as nervous now!!

Having said that, i do have a couple of questions that im hoping someone might know the answer too!

Firstly, for part of last year (April to June) i was doing temping work/receiving jobseekers allowance, then became registered and had mindee for a few weeks and an odd day in june and september. October '07 to end of February '08 i was employed and only started childminding again at start of March.......do i have to put down all my different earnings or just when i was childminding?

Secondly, can i claim for cm items such as equipment/crafts bought whilst i was working elsewhere? I have been paying NI contributions since June even when in employment!!

Im sooooo confused!

Tilly.xx

[sarah707]

Wow, what an amazing bunch you all are!!! I received my tax return papers today and have been dreading it, but after reading through all your comments and links i'm not feeling half as nervous now!!

Having said that, i do have a couple of questions that im hoping someone might know the answer too!

Firstly, for part of last year (April to June) i was doing temping work/receiving jobseekers allowance, then became registered and had mindee for a few weeks and an odd day in june and september. October '07 to end of February '08 i was employed and only started childminding again at start of March.......do i have to put down all my different earnings or just when i was childminding?

I do not feel qualified to answer that - I suggest you ring the tax helpline 0845 300 3939.

Secondly, can i claim for cm items such as equipment/crafts bought whilst i was working elsewhere?

If you bought it for the childminding business, then you claim for it... so long as it was bought in this tax year.


I have been paying NI contributions since June even when in employment!!

Im sooooo confused!

Tilly.xx


Hope this helps! :D

[TillyTwinkle]

Thanks Sarah, i will be sure to call the tax helpline tomorrow and will make sure i put in all items i have bought!!

Tilly.xx

[Wiggly]

Fantastic thread - thanks for all your time on this one Sarah.

Wiggly
x

[yvonne]

:D This list is far from exhaustive... feel free to add more! :D

This is Pauline's link for working out the %ages...

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/bim52751.htm

The tax year runs from the previous April to the current April, so don’t give any figures that relate to income/expenditure outside of these dates, except when you are first starting out and have incurred expenses to set up and to comply with Ofsted requirements. Then you can claim the following (and any more you have recorded in your expenses book) –


Stair gates
Grill covers for drains
First Aid box and contents
Fencing needed to make the garden safe
Padlocks for garden gates
Cost of moving locks on doors and making good
Warning stickers on patio doors
Play equipment (indoor and out) incl books and drawing supplies suitable for the age of children to be minded
Reins or wrist straps
Socket covers & other safety equipment
Fireguard
Application / registration fee
Fire blanket
NCMA membership
Accident book
Contracts printing
Public liability insurance
Advertising costs

You can then claim for the day-to-day expenses incurred in running your business from home –

• Baby cutlery/crockery if you do not already have that available
• Boiler or other maintenance agreement (%age)
• Books, magazines, newspapers, posters etc
• Broadband (%age)
• Car insurance, including any extra payable for transporting minded children; tax; MOT; rescue (%age)
• Car – capital allowance or petrol usage - this varies annually – contact tax office for details
• Carpet / suite cleaning (one a year)
• Computer software / printer cartridges / paper purchased for the use of the children in your care or for your work
• Council tax (%age)
• Courses - travel to and from courses
• Days out – to the park (including entry costs and ice-creams once there), seaside, zoo, swimming pool, birthday parties, cinema etc, not forgetting the mileage (petrol consumption)
• Drawing/writing/painting equipment to replenish stocks
• Equipment (normal or specialist), again if needed for a child from a different age group or to comply with a disability request
• Electricity (%age) - including food preparation
• Food, drink and milk used for minded children
If you make batches of food for the whole family and use half for the minded children, claim half the cost of your expenses. It might be useful to keep food receipts for a few weeks every so often to check what you are charging as expenses is right
• First aid equipment to re-stock cabinet
• Food - add up your meals/snacks provided every week!
• Gas (%age)
• Insurance - house (%age)
• Letters/ newsletters to parents
• Magazines to keep up-to-date on minding issues
• Mobile phone - (%age) if you need to be contacted by a parent/school then you will have to carry one
• Petrol - estimated mileage (petrol consumption) to collect/deliver minded children
- Prams / buggies / buggy boards etc bought to replace
• Presents and cards for birthdays, Easter, Christmas
• Safety alterations as required by Ofsted at inspections
• Toys / games etc - to replace broken ones, if you take on a new child from a different age group or to follow a child’s interests
• Ofsted annual fee
• Photographs printed for parents; used in setting; for evidence
• RAC/AA membership (%age)
• Stationery including stamps, pens, pencils, envelopes, cash book, receipt book, first aid record book, photocopying etc
• Safety equipment recognised as needed when doing risk assessments
• Subscription fees to any Childminding groups
• Sundries – include cotton wool, hand towels, kitchen rolls, dustbin liners, gloves, disinfectant, washing-up liquid, loo roll etc
• Telephone / mobile cost / rental (%age)
• Telephone / mobile calls / texts - to parents of minded children
• Toiletries incl nappies if supplied, wipes, toilet paper
• TV licence (%age)
• TV – sky or similar, if used for minding (%age)
• Unexpected expenses arising from minding needs eg car breakdown (%age); boiler breakdown (%age)
• Water rates (%age)
• Wear and tear on household furnishings (1/10th of your total income before any other deductions)
OMG this page has helped me heeps. So glad i found you all :thumbsup: Yvonne

[jackie_5]

Thank you so much for your list of what to claim for, I have been new to this site for only a week, and its amazing and so helpfull in what information and tips I am finding out, I have submitted my tax return already,and for the first time it looks like I will have to pay tax... i could have claimed for sky, rac, mot, boiler etc... oh well, thank you for all your tips. As we are registered for a food business now, I do claim for my oven etc to be cleaned, which can be anything from £35 - £95 a time ( incl microwave, hob, extractor and oven) so hope that tip is usefull to anyone.

[sarah707]

Hi Jackie! I claimed for my oven cleaning for the first time this year as well!

I also had my carpets professionally cleaned... I will add them both to the list! Thanks for the reminder.

I hope you are enjoying the forum :D

[juzza123]

Just wanted to highlight something I spotted regarding car expenses when looking at the HM Customs and Revenue link (link within the link actually!!!) at the start of this thread - "What costs are covered by the mileage rate?
The mileage rate covers the costs of running and maintaining the vehicle, such as fuel, oil, servicing, repairs, insurance, vehicle excise duty and MOT. The rate also covers depreciation of the vehicle.

So if a taxpayer uses the mileage rate basis then they cannot claim any additional amount for these expenses.


Hope this helps.:eek:

[sarah707]

Thank you for pointing that out Juzza, you are absolutely right!

That's why the link for the tax website is posted at the same time as the items that are possible for taking off the tax bill.

It's often the case that people do not use their car much but feel it's best to have it insured for minding in case of emergency, so they would be better claiming the insurance / tax etc percentages.

However if people are using their car regularly, as you so rightly say and is clear from the link, you just claim for petrol costs.

You are new so I will say welcome and hope you are enjoying the forum!

Don't forget to say hello to everyone :D

[aly]

this is a great post. i will pst this and keep it for future reference

thank you:thumbsup:

[buildingblocks]

So if a taxpayer uses the mileage rate basis then they cannot claim any additional amount for these expenses.
[/COLOR]

Hope this helps.:eek:

And for those of you like me who don't drive and use a push bike say to get to the shop for food or for a trianign you can claim 20p a mile

[Minstrel]

And for those of you like me who don't drive and use a push bike say to get to the shop for food or for a trianign you can claim 20p a mile

How would this work?
i thought it actually had to be an actual out of pocket expense.
Unless you bought the bike purely for minding and therefore put the whole cost through.
Help now i'm confused:panic:

[buildingblocks]

How would this work?i thought it actually had to be an actual out of pocket expense. Unless you bought the bike purely for minding and therefore put the whole cost through. Help now i'm confused:panic:

no idea only know that it is allowed. I think it is simlar to the car - as that covers wear and tear on the car not just petrol costs if that makes any sense. So with a bike it allows for wear and tear on the tyres, service on a bike and yes I do take my bike in yearly for a service lol.

[Paula J]

Hi I was told that I couldnt claim anything back for SKY I asked about a % but tax office told me no can you confirm what % of SKY you claim. I dont have sky at all but know it would be great for the kids especially on those long winter days
Paula:)

[tomy12]

I work 50 hrs in hols & 35 in termtime.
what % of sky subcription can i claim?


claire

[brillminder]

whats 50 hours from the day time hours as a % your tv waking hours. if you get what i mean good thread, just checking my 2007/08 accounts

[miss mopple]

I was told at a tax info training session by a tax inspector that you can't claim for sky or a tv license.

[Chatterbox Childcare]

My understanding is that you cannot claim the tv licence as that was in the house anyway.

As for sky I would have the famiily package for the children and not my family so I work the bill out pro rata. If you have young children youself, you wouldn't be able to claim anything.

Hope that helps.

Debbie :jump for joy: :jump for joy: :jump for joy:

[Chatterbox Childcare]

Hope this helps! :D

Sarah = you can make a loss in your first year and this can be carried offer and off set in the next year, so put everything through you can. If you purchased it before the current tax year, write a receipt and pay yourself.

As for your earnings that I think you will of been taxed on, add everything in on the tax return as you should get some if not all of it back. This will depend on the ratio paid compared to your tax free limit.

If you are unsure ask the tax office.

Debbie :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

[Chrissy B]

I like this thread. Very imformative. It's answered so many of the questions i had.

[Buzz Lightyear]

I think my brain has just blown up reading all of this :laughing: Very informative, agreed but also pickles the brain :jump for joy: Yikes, dreading my accounting side of things!!

[taiwallis]

Gosh - i hate this time of year - it makes me want to be physically sick!! Does anyone have a spreadsheet that i can put figures into? I have to get it done by friday, and that is alot of receipts to get through - i had been so good to start off with and then it all got sidetracked with everything else i am trying to keep up with !!! Does anyone else find it hard or is it just me? Also, am i just being dim but when (sarah nev) you look at the list that was so informative about what you can claim for - how do you know what percentage of for example, broadband, house insurance, tv liscence, mobile etc??? This is based on me working a 40 hour week - however it feels like i never stop working these days as i am always catching up on the weekend!!

[sarah707]

Gosh - i hate this time of year - it makes me want to be physically sick!! Does anyone have a spreadsheet that i can put figures into? I have to get it done by friday, and that is alot of receipts to get through - i had been so good to start off with and then it all got sidetracked with everything else i am trying to keep up with !!! Does anyone else find it hard or is it just me? Also, am i just being dim but when (sarah nev) you look at the list that was so informative about what you can claim for - how do you know what percentage of for example, broadband, house insurance, tv liscence, mobile etc??? This is based on me working a 40 hour week - however it feels like i never stop working these days as i am always catching up on the weekend!!

I use the percentages on here -

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/bim52751.htm

It's 10% for most things for full time (40 hours) :D

[FizzysFriends]

NCMA says you can't claim TV licence?

[sarah707]

NCMA says you can't claim TV licence?

Do they?

Well it's 10% of £139 which is £13 off your tax bill.

I'm sure I'm not defrauding the tax man too much at that!

My list comes from an accountant who specialised in self employed people before he emigrated.

There are always grey areas I'm afraid, that's what makes it so exciting! :cool:

[rickysmiths]

Hi! I agree with Sarah. My accounts were submitted last night and I included a % of the TV. I also include £100 for shoes and trousers and tops for me. I have a stock of tee shirts and trousers I only wear for cm. The number of miles I walk with the mindees every year I wear out a pair of shoes!:)

[FizzysFriends]

Well most things can be linked to minding in someway, don't think I will risk it though, don't want to push my luck and get audited.

[aly]

Well most things can be linked to minding in someway, don't think I will risk it though, don't want to push my luck and get audited.
At my icp course, we were told we can claim for tv licence or a %age of it anyway. that particular class was taken with someone from NCMA I am from wales too {just to clarify}

[taiwallis]

not wanting to tempt fate, and am nearly there with my returns, thanks to hubby who says its all in hand< the other hand holding 1/2 a drunk bottle of red wine!!! , but has anyone actually ever been audited??? I truly believe childminders should be exempt from tax and all this silly paperwork to do with it - we do enough with the EYFS. I am struggling to fit it all in AND have a family life - anyone the same or is it just me????:panic:

[sarah707]

not wanting to tempt fate, and am nearly there with my returns, thanks to hubby who says its all in hand< the other hand holding 1/2 a drunk bottle of red wine!!! , but has anyone actually ever been audited??? I truly believe childminders should be exempt from tax and all this silly paperwork to do with it - we do enough with the EYFS. I am struggling to fit it all in AND have a family life - anyone the same or is it just me????:panic:

No it's not just you!

I haven't been audited yet but I do know of childminders it has happened to.

The key is not to flag yourself up.

Don't put through large amounts you cannot justify.

Don't put through things that you don't have proof of purchase for.

Keep to the accepted limits of 2/3 loss to expenses and no more.

If you put through a total of £12000 with £7000 loss to expenses one year, DO NOT put £10000 with £8000 loss the next ... it looks wrong and will shout fraud.

I was always told, we are the small fry but if we do something silly we will be caught. :cool:

[huggableshelly]

oohh nice list there are a few ... well alot that I've never claimed for and I've had to pay tax for the last 2 years.

time to go through this years books again and make changes, I shouldnt have paid tax for the past 2 years either but still, ty for the list.

[TheBTeam]

is the 40p a mile supposed to include the cost to keep the car on the road such as mot and insurance and service, as well as depreciation. the only way i thought you could claim then separately was when keeping full business accounts and not claiming 40p a mile, or you used the capital depreciation which is good when buying a new car.?

[sarah707]

is the 40p a mile supposed to include the cost to keep the car on the road such as mot and insurance and service, as well as depreciation. yes

the only way i thought you could claim then separately was when keeping full business accounts and not claiming 40p a mile, or you used the capital depreciation which is good when buying a new car.?

Yes that's right. It is explained in the first post in the thread -


With the car expenses, you either claim the mileage (currently 40p a mile) or the %ages of other expenses... which ever is the biggest amount.

This is clearly stated in the tax link at the top of this post.

[TheBTeam]

sorry being a bit dim, somehow started reading this thread backwards! my car just failed mot on a non working seat belt which is a pain cos the fixing cost is more than the car value, but we really need a second car as we can't get out with all the minded children otherwise!!!

[geordiebunny]

Pain in bum i know with auditing they have a system that they use to flag certain things up ie looking at taxi drivers with income above certain amount, this is done once a year. people working returns also look at large expenses but what we were told was that if it was less than £500 tax consequence to not bother passing through to be looked at as they had enough work and wasn't worth it to them. hope this helps people with their audits dont forget they have a 6 year rule and also a time frame for which they can open an enquiry into a tax return but can't think of it right now.

[SandCastles]

I was advised to claim the full cost of all presents bought for minded children, birthday, xmas, easter etc including cards and wrapping paper. Does anyone buy presents for their mindees?

[huggableshelly]

I was advised to claim the full cost of all presents bought for minded children, birthday, xmas, easter etc including cards and wrapping paper. Does anyone buy presents for their mindees?

yes i do

I've claimed for all of their easter eggs too as I havew 11 to buy for plus the easter egg hunt stuff we used on friday

just remember to keep reciepts for values over £10.00

I averagely spend 5-10 on birthdays and xmas they all get a selection pack of some form

[nic76]

i think i need an accountant

[Chatterbox Childcare]

My tax inspector told me a definate no on the tv licence.

[sarah707]

My tax inspector told me a definate no on the tv licence.

Thanks for that Debbie.

it does seem to depend who you talk to.

It won't make a huge difference to miss it off anyway... so best not use it as an expense :D

[It's a small world]

:clapping: fantastic thank you:clapping:

[Pauline]

Hi! I agree with Sarah. My accounts were submitted last night and I included a % of the TV. I also include £100 for shoes and trousers and tops for me. I have a stock of tee shirts and trousers I only wear for cm. The number of miles I walk with the mindees every year I wear out a pair of shoes!:)


You might find this document useful, it is the one which mentions that clothes cannot be claimed for.

<This document is now in the free downloads >

[little chickee]

it does say on the link that you cannot claim for any clothing other than protective clothing - does this mean that the t-shirts and hoodys i purchase from Aramath with my logo on i cannot claim for?:(

[cabby]

You might find this document useful, it is the one which mentions that clothes cannot be claimed for.

i always claim for clothes:eek: didnt realise we couldnt,

another sky question im afraid:blush:
i have sky multi room so lo's can watch tv in the play room, if i wasnt childminding i wouldnt have multi room, so can i claim the £10 a month it costs me??? or even a % as ds sometimes watches tv in there?

[Curly Quavers]

By the very nature of having you company logo in a top means if you were not a childminder you would not need it and so it is a legitimate company expense.

I will be putting my embroidered tops through.

[manjay]

By the very nature of having you company logo in a top means if you were not a childminder you would not need it and so it is a legitimate company expense.

I will be putting my embroidered tops through.

Maybe they think we are wearing them outside of work hours:rolleyes: I claim for mine and will continue to do so. I reckon I could put up a good fight if Mr taxman paid me a visit:D

I suppose you could always say you bought them for the children to wear and they sent the wrong size!

[sue]

just want to say this is a Huge help Thankyou very much Sarah 707:thumbsup:

[It's a small world]

Hi

Sorry Im so thick and cannot get my head around this accounts business. I has a mindee 2 days a week (9hours each day) from end Jul to last week and this week just down to one day still 9 hours (then hes away for 1mnth)

So the 2 days I claim do I claim 4 % as under 20hours and oh I dont understand ... and I know someone is going to tell me its really easy and Im making it harder than it really is HHHHEEEEEELLLLPPPPPP !!!!!!!!!!:eek:

[sarah707]

Hi

Sorry Im so thick and cannot get my head around this accounts business. I has a mindee 2 days a week (9hours each day) from end Jul to last week and this week just down to one day still 9 hours (then hes away for 1mnth)

So the 2 days I claim do I claim 4 % as under 20hours and oh I dont understand ... and I know someone is going to tell me its really easy and Im making it harder than it really is HHHHEEEEEELLLLPPPPPP !!!!!!!!!!:eek:

You're not thick! It's really hard to get your head around.

I struggle with numbers as well, that's why I need it all written down in front of me!

Just tot up your bills for the month, tot up the hours yuo have worked and average it all out.

It's going to be a matter of pence when you think about it at 4% isn't it? So not worth getting worried about.

Hope this helps :D

[It's a small world]

Thanks Sarah

Feel like crying ..have never been good with maths and this is really getting to me. Going to leave it tonight and start Friday with a fresh head. Write everything down then work it out.....
Have got envelopes now for each month to put all receipts in. Think Ive got myself in a tiz as got paperwork everywhere as things need changing in order for my to be happy about them. Off to do my obs instead.

def need a clear head for this task.

Your always there to help you deserve a medal :waving:

[happyfacegreen]

Hi everyone!

I have just posted my registration forms today and have been starting to feel a little overwhelmed from policies and procedures to the scary prospect of being self employed and doing my own books. After reading through this I just want to say a big big thank you to everyone that has posted on here, I see a few names over and over again, you really have made me feel a little bit more confident re the whole process because I now know there is a whole load of people here willing to help.

Thank you!!

No doubt I will be calling on your help v v shortly lol!

[dobby]

This was such a helpful find this morning as I am updating accounts, ready for tax return. Lots of things on the list i have not claimed for before!!

sarah can i just clarify, when you say claiming a percentage for things like say, Tv license or breakdown cover, do you claim this as a one off entry - so for Tv license, thats £142.50 a year thus a one off entry of 10% (if full time) of £14.25 or do you put something smaller in each month?

Just trying to get it all straight in ma head!!

and thanks for the list, have printed it off as a memory jogger!

[sarah707]

This was such a helpful find this morning as I am updating accounts, ready for tax return. Lots of things on the list i have not claimed for before!!

sarah can i just clarify, when you say claiming a percentage for things like say, Tv license or breakdown cover, do you claim this as a one off entry - so for Tv license, thats £142.50 a year thus a one off entry of 10% (if full time) of £14.25 or do you put something smaller in each month?

Just trying to get it all straight in ma head!!

and thanks for the list, have printed it off as a memory jogger!

There is a lot of controversy about the TV licence... personally I put it down as 10% of the total, for the year. I was told many years ago by a tax person that this was acceptable.

Others have been told they should not claim for it.

As it works out at about £14 a year, it hardly makes a difference in the grand scheme of things anyway, so I don't worry about it.

For most other things, it's the same really isn't it? If you are claiming at 10% of the total, it makes little difference if it's a week or a month or a year.

Do it however it's easiest for you.

hth :D

[leeloo1]

This is such a useful list - thank you! :)

Reading it though, I've realised that I haven't kept receipts for cleaning products - does this mean I can't claim them. :(

If so, could I put them down at xxx per week at less than £10 and claim it that way?

Thanks in advance for any help,
Lisa

[sarah707]

This is such a useful list - thank you! :)

Reading it though, I've realised that I haven't kept receipts for cleaning products - does this mean I can't claim them. :(

If so, could I put them down at xxx per week at less than £10 and claim it that way?

Thanks in advance for any help,
Lisa

You don't need receipts for anything under £10 Lisa, so just put your cleaning products through one at a time :D

[leeloo1]

Thanks - cunning plan, will do! :)

I'm going to have a lot of bits for under £10 without receipts - do you think it'll matter?

[sarah707]

Thanks - cunning plan, will do! :)

I'm going to have a lot of bits for under £10 without receipts - do you think it'll matter?

I am sure most of us do the same :D

[Chatterbox Childcare]

Hi! I agree with Sarah. My accounts were submitted last night and I included a % of the TV. I also include £100 for shoes and trousers and tops for me. I have a stock of tee shirts and trousers I only wear for cm. The number of miles I walk with the mindees every year I wear out a pair of shoes!:)

I had the IR inspector in front of me and specifically tell me that you CANNOT claim anything for shoes as you need shoes whichever job you do.

You CANNOT claim your tv licence.

If you claim either of these in your return and are audited you WILL have to pay the tax portion claimed back and interest and penalties.

It is your responsbility to check these items out before claiming them.

Might be worth a call to your local tax office.

[Chatterbox Childcare]

is the 40p a mile supposed to include the cost to keep the car on the road such as mot and insurance and service, as well as depreciation. the only way i thought you could claim then separately was when keeping full business accounts and not claiming 40p a mile, or you used the capital depreciation which is good when buying a new car.?

Yes it does all get included in the .40p unless you due capital depreciation and then you can claim the business percentage of ALL costs relating to the car

[TheBTeam]

I had the IR inspector in front of me and specifically tell me that you CANNOT claim anything for shoes as you need shoes whichever job you do.

You CANNOT claim your tv licence.

If you claim either of these in your return and are audited you WILL have to pay the tax portion claimed back and interest and penalties.

It is your responsbility to check these items out before claiming them.

Might be worth a call to your local tax office.

Can you claim do you think for a waterproof coat because you have to walk to get the mindees from school, if you only had your own children you could fit in the car and would therefore not be walking?

[Chatterbox Childcare]

it does say on the link that you cannot claim for any clothing other than protective clothing - does this mean that the t-shirts and hoodys i purchase from Aramath with my logo on i cannot claim for?:(

I was also told that if you clothing has a logo on it then you CAN claim it, obviously it needs to be large and not inside a pocket!

[TheBTeam]

Can you claim do you think for a waterproof coat because you have to walk to get the mindees from school, if you only had your own children you could fit in the car and would therefore not be walking?

MMM does this count as protective clothing (from the elements)?:rolleyes:

[miss muffit]

Very helpful information

Thank you Sarah :D

[Chatterbox Childcare]

MMM does this count as protective clothing (from the elements)?:rolleyes:

No you cannot claim this.

[Pudding Girl]

Re the car thing - hubby has pointed out (not sure if already has been, sorry if so) that once you decide which way you are claiming it, mileage or actual costs, you have to stick with that method until you change your car.