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Post Info TOPIC: building office in garden expenditure


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I'm sure there must be something on here about this but my search skills are obviously lacking today.

I have a self employed client who built a wooden shed in his garden for use mostly as a home office.  He then moved out of his house a few months later and left it there, he didn't sell the house, it's being rented out.  Are any of the build costs allowable? If so, what would need to happen when he sells the house?  Thanks.



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This one has come up a few times.

I know that Bill (Wella) answered the last one... let me just have a firk around.

here you go. Start with this one which may answer many of your questions :

www.book-keepers.org.uk/t54349595/allowable-for-capital-allowance/

kind regards,

Shaun.

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Shaun

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Perfect, thanks. I will claim for the heater only then! What about the paint for inside, can that be claimed?

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Princess wrote:

Perfect, thanks. I will claim for the heater only then! What about the paint for inside, can that be claimed?


 Hi Princess

I would say that if it was the first coat of paint then it is an improvement to the original asset (the shed), and then becomes an integral part of the shed. So no, it is a capital expenses.

If it is redecorating, after the shed has been used a while, then this is a repair, and can be claimed as an expenses

BIM46915 gives the detail in paragraph five

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/bim46915.htm

HTH

Bill



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Thanks. No paint then!

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Having just put up a 'shed' for my office (photos available on request as I have no idea how to add them here) thank you for that link. I had already decided that it would not be officially owned by the business as this leads to complications of ownership should we choose to move during the buildings lifespan.

 



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Off topic but this is how to add a pic.

1) Use advanced editor

2) At bottom of panel click the attach file(s) button.

That should bring up your pictures folder on your C drive as default but you can go to wherever your pic is.

3) Choose the pic you want

4) Position the cursor in your message where you want the image

5) Click [insert]

6) Click ok

Wallah, you have a picture in your message.

Now you try it with your pic of a shed Theresa.

 

Any difficulties just post and I'll talk you through any problems.



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Shaun

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I wouldn't mind seeing pictures of your shed converted into an office.

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I've got a new office for me to restart my business in, although it's in part of the house rather than outside. I have absolutely no tax related questions about it, as it didn't cost me a penny. It's entirely created with stuff I had around already, or that I acquired on Freecycle smile.



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John


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Office, lazy end.jpg

 

Office, work end.jpg

 

Thanks Shaun - some photos!



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Its costing you the percentage of the house given up to facilitate the inclusion of a dedicated workspace.

Considering this you can claim either based on a percentage of floor space given over to the office or a set figure per week provided that you work in the office for sufficient time each week.

Also, some of the stuff that you had lieing around that has a discernable value could be brought into the business. For example, your computer.

Always think through everything from your own perspective to minimise your own tax burden as that knowledge will go forwards to help your clients minimise theirs.

There you go, we don't let little things like people not asking questions get in the way of giving answers. wink



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I'm in love with your white boards Theresa.

The one closest to the window looks a bit difficult to get to though.

I'm now looking around at my offices and thinking that I've really, really got to tidy up a bit.

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The white boards are magnetic so any paperwork I need to keep to hand goes over on the left. I happen to be left handed so I can write a good three quarters of the way across.
Still got some work to do to finish everything off but that can wait until a quiet week - assuming I get one!

Those photos were taken a couple of weeks ago - I have since been 'invaded' by Hazel's cello - she has just started learning the Elgar Cello Concerto, add my trumpet and you will understand how happy the neighbours are that there is 2" of insulation in the walls!

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I love it! Wow. I want one. My spare room is starting to look very boring and pokey.

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Great office pictures. Dual use - the trumpet and music stand (which probably has a proper name).

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That would be - music stand :)
Just don't listen too closely - I'm only grade 3

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My living room has turned in to my office.

I had someone from the local football club up about a year and a half ago and I knew he'd be looking at my computer at some point - which at the time was in the bedroom. I didn't want him in there as the place was a state. I just set up a table with the computer underneath. It was only temporary. A few months later and it was still there. That's when I went mad and bought the photocopier. The photocopier can't be moved from room to room so it now lives ion the living room and has blocked in the temporary table.

I then needed space to sort out paperwork so I bought some wood and made two pairs of folding legs. On top of this I placed spare 5ft x 2ft section of kitchen worktop. Again, the folding legs was so it was temporary. I had problems with my back which knocked me out for some time and the paperwork built up on this temporary desk. Now I needed somewhere else to sort paperwork. So I used a old card table with a 6ft x 2ft section of thin wood on top. Again - temporary - but again now filled up with paperwork.

So now I'm contemplating either tidying up and filing away or fabricating another desk.

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Looks very much like an Ideal Schools ringbinder on the table - Brian will be pleased.

If that was my office the wall would be full of these hanging on little push pins :

Photo May 20, 19 13 53.jpg

Scrap paper which I then use the reverse side of. I keep several of them so there is always one to hand that is blank on top. I reuse the reverse of C5 sized envelopes.



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Never buy black socks from a normal shop. They shaft you every time.

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The binder is indeed an Ideal schools one - it's my lv3 manual course. I need nagging - I'm behind where I wanted to be and need to complete a couple of assignments and send them in.

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Shamus wrote:

Its costing you the percentage of the house given up to facilitate the inclusion of a dedicated workspace.

Considering this you can claim either based on a percentage of floor space given over to the office or a set figure per week provided that you work in the office for sufficient time each week.

Also, some of the stuff that you had lieing around that has a discernable value could be brought into the business. For example, your computer.

Always think through everything from your own perspective to minimise your own tax burden as that knowledge will go forwards to help your clients minimise theirs.

There you go, we don't let little things like people not asking questions get in the way of giving answers. wink


It's part of the house that's otherwise unused at the moment, and it may be there for a fairly short time until further plans are made. My laptop is 6 years old and I haven't claimed anything for it yet, and the same with a newer screen. One laser printer is so old that I probably claimed for it in my last business, and the "new" laser printer was acquired on Freecycle! And the other computer in here was acquired when I helped a friend move house! I've bought a few computer related items like a headset to use with Voipfone, and a bit of memory to upgrade, but I was talking about the office itself when I said it hadn't cost a penny, not the contents! I can't even claim for the screws I used from my stock, as they were bought to do up the house so I didn't bother to get a receipt!

 



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John


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That being the case John the 'cost' of your office space is a share of the gas, electricity and water for the property and you may even be able to justify a small part of any mortgage you pay though personally I find that a dodgy one!

The simplified system would allow between £10 and £26 per month depending on the hours worked from home

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I wish I had a garden big enough to accommodate this size office space, I am lucky we have enough bedrooms for me to use one as an office but it really isnt big enough for 2 people to work in if I had a client round - this would be perfect

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Regards

Sharon



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Funny enough my office has two music stands, two banjos, a concertina, two banjoleles, a keyboard, and assorted harmonicas in it.

I also use a Snark tuner which is also clipped to a music stand.  Don't know why I have one, the only way to tune a banjo is with wire cutters smile and folk music tuning is "there, or there abouts" (I can hear Shaun cringe)

Bill

 PS Like the way you titled the music end as "the lazy end"

Edited to add PS



-- Edited by Wella on Wednesday 21st of May 2014 11:02:19 AM

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Sharon - I had to do something to cut down on the gardening - an office seemed ideal!
Bill - when I get stressed out over the music I work, when work starts getting annoying I go play.... it works on so many levels! Well done recognizing the snark btw!

Just had todays lesson. My esteemed teacher has decided I am 'more than adequate' at grade 3 but it is too late to go go for the exam this term - so skip that, start grade 4. I've now looked at the music - Dvorak Humoresque. What fun  



-- Edited by Unwize Owl on Wednesday 21st of May 2014 05:03:33 PM

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The only instrument I am proficient at, is the Snark tuner smile

Well done with grading



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