I'm a freelance graphic designer attempting to do my own book-keeping this year. Would someone who's au fait with Sage be kind enough to help? I need to include all of my lunch expenses in the app (I think I'm entitled to up to £10 a day for food)? At the moment I have a huge pile of receipts I need to file away but unsure where to start in the software. I'd also like to know how to file my travel in there as well, at the moment I'm using my phone to pay on the tube so have no physical receipts - will HMRC accept a digital copy of my travel which I can easily download from the TfL site? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi
This is not really a sage question. Why do you think you are entitled to be paid for food you would eat anyway? Plus travel for commuting is not allowed.
This site is for professional accountants and bookkeepers to exchange advice, not for members of the public. The only advice I can give is to get a good Accountant on board - would you expect me to do my own graphic design with no/little knowledge? Certainly if I did I wouldnt end up with fines from anyone for doing it incorrectly, but you can end up with massive penalties if you do something wrong with your accounts and tax. An Accountant can actually save you cash so the 'I cant afford one' generally doesnt apply.
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
whilst I concur with Joannes statement about the sites intended audience, I am interested to know your reasoning behind the belief that you are entitled to tax relief on meals? I've had several clients under that illusion and I wondered where you got the information from that led you to that belief?
You don't mention what sort of business model that you use (self employed or limited) or state how long you have worked at the site that you are currently working at or how long from the start of your contract the end of it is. These may seem insignificant questions but when it comes to travel expenses they are very relevant.
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Thanks for your response. I'm a limited company, and have only recently returned to freelancing after a few years. The last time I freelanced I had to work through an umbrella company and all of the expenses mentioned in the original post were ones I was told could be claimed back, so I naively assumed these were HMRC perks for freelancers/LTD companies and not specific to the umbrella company business model (whatever that may be).
The contract started in April and may end in a fortnight.
Thanks for your response. I'm a limited company, and have only recently returned to freelancing after a few years. The last time I freelanced I had to work through an umbrella company and all of the expenses mentioned in the original post were ones I was told could be claimed back, so I naively assumed these were HMRC perks for freelancers/LTD companies and not specific to the umbrella company business model (whatever that may be).
The contract started in April and may end in a fortnight.
Claire.
Hi Claire
Umbrella's were notorious for claiming these types of expenses when they weren't really allowed, and HMRC have clamped down massively in this area. HMRC view is that you would be eating anyway and unless it's work of an itinerant nature or a one off journey outside the area it's a big no no.
I would also check your eligibility to claim travel expenses, it very much depends on the contract you have and the way your Ltd Co is set up. Out of curiosity, are you outside IR35? Hopefully you are.
Sorry we can't help further, but as Joanne says, this is a forum for fellow bookkeepers and accountants, not business owners. Getting an accountant on board is really good advice though.
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John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
A john suggests, umbrella companies are commercial organisations that tried to win contractors by promising the earth and hoping that nobody noticed. Unfortunately for them HMRC did notice and you will notice that a lot of UC's disappeared.
There are far fewer now and those that remain generally promise much less.
The general rule on consumption is that we eat to live, we do not eat to work. Therefore there is no tax compensation for money that you would have spent anyway.
There are instances where overnight meals are allowed and there are different rules for long distance lorry drivers but for some one doing the same commute into the office that one's not going to fly.
Travel expenses "may" be claimable but again, as suggested by John, there are variables attached which really someone who knows the in's and outs of your contract and work pattern would need to review (inside or ourside IR35 there are expenses that can be claimed, it's just the level of claim available).
kindest regards,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Yes, I always felt that the Limited Companies weren't operating fairly so makes senses they're folding. I think as John pointed out I need to get myself a good accountant.
Apologies for using your forum without prior knowledge of your intended audience.
Yes, I always felt that the Limited Companies weren't operating fairly so makes senses they're folding. I think as John pointed out I need to get myself a good accountant.
Apologies for using your forum without prior knowledge of your intended audience.
Kindest regards,
Claire
presume you mean Umbrella Companies rather than Limited.
think you will find that it was Joanne who mentioned getting a good accountant on board at the outset.
Yes, I always felt that the Limited Companies weren't operating fairly so makes senses they're folding. I think as John pointed out I need to get myself a good accountant. Not me Miss, that was our Joanne
Apologies for using your forum without prior knowledge of your intended audience.
Kindest regards,
Claire
Hi Claire, based on the accounts you've submitted to Companies House, you definitely need an accountant
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John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
