What you can claim against tax

Recording and claiming expenses is an essential part of ensuring you minimise your tax liability. But it can be an area of contention and often there can be misunderstandings – leading to expenses being claimed erroneously and then a tax inquiry.

Ian Tongue looks at the most common areas of contention and recaps on the costs that independent practitioners should be claiming against tax.

The basics

There is a subtle but important distinction between the costs that can be deducted as an employee and those that can be claimed if you are trading as self-employed – sole trader or partnership – or through a limited company.