Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: zesty on August 27, 2020, 01:10:05 pm
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...how do you work out tax deductibility on the water bill?
Might be moving to house without a water meter. Not sure how it works out for tax deductions...
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It’s literally pennies.
Water rates are including in the council tax, you’ll get a letter with a break down.
I think ours is £20 or something a month total. Work use will be hardly anything money wise.
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I'm not on a meter and don't bother working it out.
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It’s literally pennies.
Water rates are including in the council tax, you’ll get a letter with a break down.
I think ours is £20 or something a month total. Work use will be hardly anything money wise.
That’s Scotland mate, here in England, it’s worked out on ‘rateable value’.
Let’s say it’s £600 a year. I’m wondering how much I can deduct for purifying water. I.e 25% or whatever.
I’m not too bothered, but if I can reduce my tax bill down by £200 just for purifying water, I might as well ;D
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Water bill is over £1k a year, it's ridiculous
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It’s literally pennies.
Water rates are including in the council tax, you’ll get a letter with a break down.
I think ours is £20 or something a month total. Work use will be hardly anything money wise.
That’s Scotland mate, here in England, it’s worked out on ‘rateable value’.
Let’s say it’s £600 a year. I’m wondering how much I can deduct for purifying water. I.e 25% or whatever.
I’m not too bothered, but if I can reduce my tax bill down by £200 just for purifying water, I might as well ;D
Is it that much? Didn’t realise the difference was that large. :o
If that’s the case then get counting. It’s a decent saving.
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Can be even more mate, some people are paying well over a grand in England for unmetered water.
Basically it goes by rateable values set back in the 70’s & 80’s.
I’ve no idea what this house will be, but I reckon at least £600 a year.
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Water bill is over £1k a year, it's ridiculous
Unmetered?
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Receiver will not allow you to claim a % of unmetered water against tax.
They told me I'm paying that amount for residential use anyway whether I was window cleaning or not. Its the same with clothing. If you use ordinary (no logo) clothing for work you can't claim it as you would have to wear clothes anyway.
I wear bib and brace for work. I asked if I could change my business name to Dickies but it went over the interviewer's head. One of the qualifications for working at the Receiver is not to have a sense of humour.
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Can be even more mate, some people are paying well over a grand in England for unmetered water.
Basically it goes by rateable values set back in the 70’s & 80’s.
I’ve no idea what this house will be, but I reckon at least £600 a year.
Ours is around that - 10 months at £57 per month.
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Can be even more mate, some people are paying well over a grand in England for unmetered water.
Basically it goes by rateable values set back in the 70’s & 80’s.
I’ve no idea what this house will be, but I reckon at least £600 a year.
Ours is around
that - 10 months at £57 per month.
Unmetered spruce? If so, I’d be loving that! Cheap as chips for using all the water you want ;D
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Receiver will not allow you to claim a % of unmetered water against tax.
They told me I'm paying that amount for residential use anyway whether I was window cleaning or not. Its the same with clothing. If you use ordinary (no logo) clothing for work you can't claim it as you would have to wear clothes anyway.
I wear bib and brace for work. I asked if I could change my business name to Dickies but it went over the interviewer's head. One of the qualifications for working at the Receiver is not to have a sense of humour.
That's not strictly true, Spruce. Even your company name or logo mightn't be enough; it could still be classed as everyday wardrobe. You might get away with it as an advertising expense but you also might not.
A specialist uniform (nurse) and protective gear is ok though. Probably ;D.
It's not that clear-cut.
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Receiver will not allow you to claim a % of unmetered water against tax.
They told me I'm paying that amount for residential use anyway whether I was window cleaning or not. Its the same with clothing. If you use ordinary (no logo) clothing for work you can't claim it as you would have to wear clothes anyway.
I wear bib and brace for work. I asked if I could change my business name to Dickies but it went over the interviewer's head. One of the qualifications for working at the Receiver is not to have a sense of humour.
That's not strictly true, Spruce. Even your company name or logo mightn't be enough; it could still be classed as everyday wardrobe. You might get away with it as an advertising expense but you also might not.
A specialist uniform (nurse) and protective gear is ok though. Probably ;D.
It's not that clear-cut.
I always put my work clothes through expenses and have done for years(steel toecap boots,waterproof jackets(I have 4),combat shorts/pants,polo shirts,gloves,etc...just keep all receipts......👍
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Receiver will not allow you to claim a % of unmetered water against tax.
They told me I'm paying that amount for residential use anyway whether I was window cleaning or not. Its the same with clothing. If you use ordinary (no logo) clothing for work you can't claim it as you would have to wear clothes anyway.
I wear bib and brace for work. I asked if I could change my business name to Dickies but it went over the interviewer's head. One of the qualifications for working at the Receiver is not to have a sense of humour.
That's not strictly true, Spruce. Even your company name or logo mightn't be enough; it could still be classed as everyday wardrobe. You might get away with it as an advertising expense but you also might not.
A specialist uniform (nurse) and protective gear is ok though. Probably ;D.
It's not that clear-cut.
I always put my work clothes through expenses and have done for years(steel toecap boots,waterproof jackets(I have 4),combat shorts/pants,polo shirts,gloves,etc...just keep all receipts......👍
Combat pants??? I hope that’s an Americanism and not Y’s for the hot weather
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'A uniform is a set of specialised clothing that's recognisable as identifying someone as having a particular occupation, for example nurse or police uniforms'.
From the gov.uk website.
Polo shirts, trousers, shorts, fleeces etc. might count as your everyday wardrobe and are therefore not an allowable expense.
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Receiver will not allow you to claim a % of unmetered water against tax.
They told me I'm paying that amount for residential use anyway whether I was window cleaning or not. Its the same with clothing. If you use ordinary (no logo) clothing for work you can't claim it as you would have to wear clothes anyway.
I wear bib and brace for work. I asked if I could change my business name to Dickies but it went over the interviewer's head. One of the qualifications for working at the Receiver is not to have a sense of humour.
That's not strictly true, Spruce. Even your company name or logo mightn't be enough; it could still be classed as everyday wardrobe. You might get away with it as an advertising expense but you also might not.
A specialist uniform (nurse) and protective gear is ok though. Probably ;D.
It's not that clear-cut.
I agree and have never gone down the route of wearing and claiming a uniform with a logo. I think you could argue your case with lettered clothing if they allow the cost of sign writing your van as a claimable expense.
The other thing that was mentioned was footwear. If you wear steel capped boots then this was classed as safety equipment and claimable against tax. If you wear standard shoes/trainers/walking boots etc for working then they aren't claimable.
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Receiver will not allow you to claim a % of unmetered water against tax.
They told me I'm paying that amount for residential use anyway whether I was window cleaning or not. Its the same with clothing. If you use ordinary (no logo) clothing for work you can't claim it as you would have to wear clothes anyway.
I wear bib and brace for work. I asked if I could change my business name to Dickies but it went over the interviewer's head. One of the qualifications for working at the Receiver is not to have a sense of humour.
They told me the same. No consistency though, by that reckoning, you shouldn't be able to claim for your phone either then if your on a unlimited call/text price plan,as it doesn't cost anymore to call/text customers,but I bet most people do and probably are allowed to.
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Receiver will not allow you to claim a % of unmetered water against tax.
They told me I'm paying that amount for residential use anyway whether I was window cleaning or not. Its the same with clothing. If you use ordinary (no logo) clothing for work you can't claim it as you would have to wear clothes anyway.
I wear bib and brace for work. I asked if I could change my business name to Dickies but it went over the interviewer's head. One of the qualifications for working at the Receiver is not to have a sense of humour.
That's not strictly true, Spruce. Even your company name or logo mightn't be enough; it could still be classed as everyday wardrobe. You might get away with it as an advertising expense but you also might not.
A specialist uniform (nurse) and protective gear is ok though. Probably ;D.
It's not that clear-cut.
I always put my work clothes through expenses and have done for years(steel toecap boots,waterproof jackets(I have 4),combat shorts/pants,polo shirts,gloves,etc...just keep all receipts......👍
If your income annual tax return doesn't attract the attention of the receiver then you are getting away with claiming those items.
If they did an investigation then they would outlaw some of those claims against tax.
It's called self assessment and they ask you to pay tax against the profits of your business the way you see your business tax wise. But it all changes when they investigate. They then apply their rules.
As far as I'm concerned I could and often do wear my bib and brace when not working. However, if I chose to wear overalls then this could only be classed as work wear. Mechanics claim overalls against tax if they have to buy them themselves. If I did turn I would ask for clarification.
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Receiver will not allow you to claim a % of unmetered water against tax.
They told me I'm paying that amount for residential use anyway whether I was window cleaning or not. Its the same with clothing. If you use ordinary (no logo) clothing for work you can't claim it as you would have to wear clothes anyway.
I wear bib and brace for work. I asked if I could change my business name to Dickies but it went over the interviewer's head. One of the qualifications for working at the Receiver is not to have a sense of humour.
They told me the same. No consistency though, by that reckoning, you shouldn't be able to claim for your phone either then if your on a unlimited call/text price plan,as it doesn't cost anymore to call/text customers,but I bet most people do and probably are allowed to.
That subject also came up. They said the same. But that was 16 years ago when I had the interview with the receiver so I didn't know how or if that had since changed. I was told I could claim a certain percentage against tax if I had a pay as you go phone - business and private usage split.
So I have always had a pay as you go phone. But if I changed my round to a cloud based one or added a card reader facility, then having a contract raises other questions about how to claim that against tax. It could be argued the other way. I wouldn't need a phone with unlimited text and calls if I didn't need it for business and that each call I make privately didn't change the cost to the business.
I think the inconsistencies are because it's impossible to make a rule for each receiver employee to follow.
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So if Vodafone bought their staff red fleeces with Vodafone logo they wouldn’t claim that against their tax??? My conscience is very clean claiming peronalised work wear with my logo on it. Same principle with stationary. That’s why I’m putting my Armani trainers through the books this years ;D ;D ;D
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Receiver will not allow you to claim a % of unmetered water against tax.
They told me I'm paying that amount for residential use anyway whether I was window cleaning or not. Its the same with clothing. If you use ordinary (no logo) clothing for work you can't claim it as you would have to wear clothes anyway.
I wear bib and brace for work. I asked if I could change my business name to Dickies but it went over the interviewer's head. One of the qualifications for working at the Receiver is not to have a sense of humour.
That's not strictly true, Spruce. Even your company name or logo mightn't be enough; it could still be classed as everyday wardrobe. You might get away with it as an advertising expense but you also might not.
A specialist uniform (nurse) and protective gear is ok though. Probably ;D.
It's not that clear-cut.
I agree and have never gone down the route of wearing and claiming a uniform with a logo. I think you could argue your case with lettered clothing if they allow the cost of sign writing your van as a claimable expense.
The other thing that was mentioned was footwear. If you wear steel capped boots then this was classed as safety equipment and claimable against tax. If you wear standard shoes/trainers/walking boots etc for working then they aren't claimable.
It is unclear about lettered clothing, too. It could be regarded as everyday wear. You might get away with it as an advertising expense but I suppose it all depends on who is asking the questions.
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So if Vodafone bought their staff red fleeces with Vodafone logo they wouldn’t claim that against their tax??? My conscience is very clean claiming peronalised work wear with my logo on it. Same principle with stationary. That’s why I’m putting my Armani trainers through the books this years ;D ;D ;D
Vodafone staff are not self employed. Vodafone will claim the expense not the staff.
Clothes are an everyday thing and you will wear them whether you are working or not.
I hope.
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You can claim for 'uniform' but not everyday clothes you would wear normally.
https://www.gov.uk/expenses-if-youre-self-employed/clothing
Now comes the question of what constitutes a uniform!!!! Does a tee shirt with your logo count?
In my opinion, I am not an accountant, if you have clothes that you have your logo on then it's part of your uniform.
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You can claim for 'uniform' but not everyday clothes you would wear normally.
https://www.gov.uk/expenses-if-youre-self-employed/clothing
Now comes the question of what constitutes a uniform!!!! Does a tee shirt with your logo count?
In my opinion, I am not an accountant, if you have clothes that you have your logo on then it's part of your uniform.
It's not a specialist uniform. I'm not saying you wouldn't get away with it though.
A polo shirt with your company logo on isn't classed the same as a uniform.
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I just don’t bother paying tax, avoids any confusion for what I can or cannot claim for that way.
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You can claim for 'uniform' but not everyday clothes you would wear normally.
https://www.gov.uk/expenses-if-youre-self-employed/clothing
Now comes the question of what constitutes a uniform!!!! Does a tee shirt with your logo count?
In my opinion, I am not an accountant, if you have clothes that you have your logo on then it's part of your uniform.
It's not a specialist uniform. I'm not saying you wouldn't get away with it though.
A polo shirt with your company logo on isn't classed the same as a uniform.
That's the thing about UK tax laws - it's all down to interpretation.
The gov link doesn't mention 'specialist' uniform just uniform.
OK so it's employed but all staff in McDonalds have to wear the 'uniform'. Staff in Halfords again wear a uniform.
So, again my opinion, if you have a 'company' image with logos for work wear then I would say it's a uniform.
The other thing is maybe it should be covered by advertising? As you pay to have logo on clothes to advertise your business?
It is an interesting one though.
To be fair as long as you would be happy to justify your clothing as a business expense to HMRC then I would say it's deductible. I would guess HMRC doesn't have the resources to go after small businesses as the return (unpaid tax and fine) wouldn't cover the work they require to find the submission error!
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There's a bit about it here:
http://www.kfaccounting.co.uk/what-business-clothing-expenses/
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There's a bit about it here:
http://www.kfaccounting.co.uk/what-business-clothing-expenses/
So basically it's a gray area!
Conspicuous logo, trousers with padded knees and protective boots and you 'should' be fine :D
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So if Vodafone bought their staff red fleeces with Vodafone logo they wouldn’t claim that against their tax??? My conscience is very clean claiming peronalised work wear with my logo on it. Same principle with stationary. That’s why I’m putting my Armani trainers through the books this years ;D ;D ;D
Vodafone staff are not self employed. Vodafone will claim the expense not the staff.
Clothes are an everyday thing and you will wear them whether you are working or not.
I hope.
Vodafone are a business, being self employed is a business. Both have tax deductible expenses. The staff wouldn’t claim the uniform, but the business would. Being Self employed you are essentially the business. Either way there is an expense to claim
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So if Vodafone bought their staff red fleeces with Vodafone logo they wouldn’t claim that against their tax??? My conscience is very clean claiming peronalised work wear with my logo on it. Same principle with stationary. That’s why I’m putting my Armani trainers through the books this years ;D ;D ;D
Vodafone staff are not self employed. Vodafone will claim the expense not the staff.
Clothes are an everyday thing and you will wear them whether you are working or not.
I hope.
Vodafone are a business, being self employed is a business. Both have tax deductible expenses. The staff wouldn’t claim the uniform, but the business would. Being Self employed you are essentially the business. Either way there is an expense to claim
The same rules apply.
I meant if you worked for Vodafone, you'd be given clothing/uniform and claiming for it as an expense wouldn't be down to you.
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There's a bit about it here:
http://www.kfaccounting.co.uk/what-business-clothing-expenses/
So basically it's a gray area!
Conspicuous logo, trousers with padded knees and protective boots and you 'should' be fine :D
I'd say could rather than should.
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There's a bit about it here:
http://www.kfaccounting.co.uk/what-business-clothing-expenses/
I see there is no category for cleaners let alone window cleaners.
https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/employment-income-manual/eim32712
Some employees who are given a uniform by their company will have to pay benefit in kind tax.
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There's a bit about it here:
http://www.kfaccounting.co.uk/what-business-clothing-expenses/
I see there is no category for cleaners let alone window cleaners.
https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/employment-income-manual/eim32712
Some employees who are given a uniform by their company will have to pay benefit in kind tax.
Isn't that laundry expenses, Spruce?
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There's a bit about it here:
http://www.kfaccounting.co.uk/what-business-clothing-expenses/
I see there is no category for cleaners let alone window cleaners.
https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/employment-income-manual/eim32712
Some employees who are given a uniform by their company will have to pay benefit in kind tax.
Isn't that laundry expenses, Spruce?
;D. That's washing what you already have. Now this is something I have never thought about. Then again, we would have to wash our daily wardrobe anyway and it isn't as though we need special washing requirements for our working clothes such as greasy mechanics overalls.
I do add a small electric claim for winter van heating over and above the allowable gas and electric claim for office expenses but washing clothes doesn't really fit into this category. (This additional electric claim varies according to the winter severity. In other words a cold winter will attract a higher claim than a mild one.)
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Edit. Sorry, misread the topic title. I'm on a water meter. Doh. Ignore the bit below, might still be handy for those who are on a water meter.
Claimed £274 last year on my tax return.
Single operator, use about 550 litres a day, so on a HF-5 RO with 65/35 waste to pure is like what, 1500 ish litres total? Work about 3 days a week so comes to about £275/£250 most years.
I've got a water meter on the system so I can work out exactly the cost of just the water, not the sewage as those are two seperate charges for every cubic meter of water used. I also use the meter to know when to change my Fibredyne 10" pre-filter, 38,000 or so litres.
For the outside tap including the van I've got another meter that counts how much water is used, then each year I do a waste water abatement claim, seeing as that water doesn't go down the drain I don't need to pay waste water charge on that. Which I think works out £100 or £150 or so a year you get back from the water board. This is with Thames water, you need to check your own supplier if they've got an arrangement like that.
Hope that helps.
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Actually, if I remember correctly, most water companies will install a water meter when a new resident moves in. They do not need your permission to do so, so don't be surprised if the house without water meter all of the sudden gets an unwanted upgrade. So you might find the above information useful. ;D