Legitimate Business Expenses

Ever wondered about the small but legitimate expenses you can claim for your business?
Many everyday expenses are perfectly allowable and can add up significantly over time. 

Here are some examples:

• Working from Home: Even if you only use part of your home as an office, you can claim a portion of household costs like internet, heating and electricity.

• Coffee on the Go: If you travel between clients or work remotely, that latte and sandwich can be considered travel and subsistence expenses.

• Mileage in Your Own Car: You can claim 45p per mile for business journeys in your personal vehicle. Keep a quick log to ensure it adds up. 

• Client Entertainment: While not tax deductible, you can still include it as a business cost. It demonstrates transparency and keeps your records organised.

• Professional Memberships: Subscriptions or industry bodies related to your work are allowable expenses.

• Eye Tests (and Glasses if Needed for Work): If you spend a lot of time on screens, your company can cover the cost of an eye test and sometimes even part of your glasses.

• Stationery & Office Supplies: Pens, notebooks, printer paper and other office supplies. 

• Travel to Meetings: Train tickets and parking costs for travel to meetings. 

• Software Subscriptions: Project management, design tools and cloud storage subscriptions. 

• Professional Development: Courses, webinars and industry magazines are also allowable expenses.

It's often the small expenses that make a big difference when the year-end accounts roll around. The key is to keep receipts, stay within HMRC rules and always connect the expense to your business activity.