How are finance and interest costs are treated for tax purposes, and which typical expenses can be offset against your limited company’s Corporation Tax bill?
Limited Company Contractor Expenses
- As a contractor, you may incur a number of expenses related to your trade.
- For limited company contractors, you can offset almost all legitimate business expenses against your company's Corporation Tax bill.
- However, if you receive any personal benefit from business expenses paid by your company, you will be taxed on the value of any 'Benefits-in-Kind'.
- Umbrella contractors can typically reclaim a number of expenses, although the treatment of expenses claims does vary between providers.
- Start with our popular guide to limited company expenses.
Umbrella company expenses – what can you claim for?
If you are working via an umbrella company, you may incur a variety of business expenses during the course of your work. Here we look at how expenses are treated for tax purposes.
Claiming back pre-trading expenses from your company
How to claim back the costs of pre-trading expenses you have paid for personally, on behalf of your limited company, including how VAT can be reclaimed, subject to specific time limits.
Company car vs. own vehicle – claiming tax relief
Many contractors travel by car on business – they may be visiting client sites, or attending conferences and training sessions. However, when it comes to claiming tax relief for the costs of these journeys, the rules can be confusing.
Claiming training expenses via your limited company
Investing in improving your own skills or those of your employees can give you a crucial edge when it comes to pitching for new contracts. However, before funding training via your limited company, it’s important to know what you can – and cannot – claim as a deductible expense.
Can a contractor claim relocation expenses?
At some stage, whilst working via your limited company, you may face a situation where you need to relocate to take up a new contracting role. You may be able to offset your moving costs against your company’s tax bill.
Should you pay for health insurance via your limited company or personally?
Private Medical Insurance covers the cost of obtaining private medical care should you fall ill. Insurance policies can be paid personally or met by your company as part of your remuneration package.
Entertaining clients – which expenses can you reclaim?
There may be times when you want to drum up some new business by entertaining a would-be or existing client, but you may be unsure if you can reclaim the costs from your contracting business.
Claiming computer hardware and software expenses via your company
If you need to buy a new PC or upgrade your software, how are these expenses treated for tax purposes? Here we explain how technology costs are accounted for, and look at the rules which govern the treatment of computer-related purchases.
Are the costs of eye tests and corrective glasses tax deductible?
Most professional contractors spend a large proportion of their time behind computer screens. With this in mind, can you claim for the cost of an eye test from your limited company? And, what about the cost of corrective glasses?