Maximising Your Finances: A Guide to Self-Employed Expenses

Being self-employed comes with numerous financial responsibilities, including managing your business expenses. Understanding allowable business expenses, how to claim them, and their impact on your tax obligations is crucial for maintaining financial health. In this guide, we'll delve into various aspects of self-employed expenses, including:

• Allowable expenses.
• Capital allowances.
• Simplified expenses.

Understanding Allowable Business Expenses

Business expenses are costs incurred while running your business. Allowable business expenses are those deemed necessary for the operation of your business. They're typically deductible from your taxable income, reducing your income tax bill.

Allowable expenses can include a wide range of items, such as:¹

• Business premises costs, including rent, utilities, and insurance — including public liability, professional indemnity and employers liability.
• Travel expenses for business-related journeys, including mileage, public transport fares, and accommodation for overnight business trips.
• Costs of goods sold or used in your business.
• Equipment and machinery purchases.
• Marketing and advertising expenses.
• Professional fees, such as accounting or legal services.
• Training and development costs for yourself or your employees.
• Office supplies and equipment.
• Telephone and internet expenses related to your business.
• Business-related subscriptions and memberships.
• Capital allowances for certain assets — allowing you to deduct their cost over time.

Claiming Business Expenses

You must keep accurate records of your business costs throughout the tax year to claim business expenses. This includes keeping receipts, invoices, and other relevant documents as evidence of your expenses. Failure to maintain proper records may result in difficulties when claiming expenses. It could lead to penalties during a tax investigation.

When completing your self-assessment tax return, you'll have the opportunity to declare your allowable expenses. Ensure you accurately report your expenses to maximise your tax relief while remaining compliant with tax regulations.²

Capital Allowances and Tax Relief

In addition to claiming allowable expenses, if you’re self-employed, you may be eligible for capital allowances on certain assets. Capital allowances allow you to deduct the cost of eligible assets, such as equipment, machinery, and vehicles, from your taxable profits over time.

By claiming capital allowances, you can reduce your taxable income, ultimately lowering your tax bill. Understanding the different capital allowances available and how they apply to your business assets will potentially maximise your tax relief.³

Simplified Expenses for the Self-Employed

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) offers simplified expenses options for those with simpler business affairs. Simplified expenses provide a straightforward method for calculating certain business costs, such as vehicle expenses, using flat rates determined by HMRC.⁴

This method simplifies calculating allowable expenses, particularly for small businesses and sole traders. You’ll need to identify if simplified expenses are the most beneficial option for your specific circumstances, they may not always result in the highest level of tax relief.

Overnight Business Trips and Expenses

If you frequently make overnight business trips, expenses incurred during overnight stays, such as accommodation, meals, and travel costs, are generally allowable.

Keep detailed records of your expenses during these trips, including receipts and invoices, to support your claims.

Council Tax and Business Premises

If you operate your business from home, you may be eligible to claim a portion of your council tax as an allowable expense. However, this depends on how much your home is used for business purposes and whether you have a designated workspace.

When claiming council tax as an allowable expense, ensure that you accurately apportion the cost based on the proportion of your home used for business activities. It’s also essential to maintain precise records and documentation to support your claim in the event of a tax audit.

Conclusion

Navigating self-employed expenses requires diligence, organisation, and a good understanding of tax regulations. Minimise your tax liabilities by identifying allowable business expenses, claiming tax relief, and maximising capital allowances.