Another odd question
Discussion
I work from home most of the time.
I have a fishtank at home which is for my pleasure. If I had the tank in an office which was away from my house as I understand it this would be a business expense - does that mean that the one in my house can also be a business expense given it is where I work?
I have a fishtank at home which is for my pleasure. If I had the tank in an office which was away from my house as I understand it this would be a business expense - does that mean that the one in my house can also be a business expense given it is where I work?
Eric Mc said:
As it was not bought for the purpose of the trading activity of the business, it would not be an allowable cost.
With respect, as I am aware how helpful you are, that is a typical accountant's reply 
might be factually correct, but...If you have an office of 100 people it might be quite easy to demonstrate that a rubber plant in the corner doesn't directly demonstrate any link to the trading activity of the business, yet there would be no issue in buying it... fountains outside the corporate HQ / fancy paintings on the wall, or at the other end of the scale those dreadful inspirational posters - chances are the trading activity of the business would continue without them...
yet they can be bought...a more normal philosophy might be to ask whether an item in the scenario being described by the OP is being enjoyed purely by the business or as a personal enjoyment (& by friends and family as well)... if so then it might not be an appropriate business expense...
As an illustration I recently bought a dustpan and brush (last of the big spenders at £1.99) for the home office to avoid having to go to the house and get the one from there... the dustpan and brush will be used exclusively by the business and is I think an allowable expense... as a business we could operate with leaves on the floor, but prefer not... the key here though is that said cleaning utensil will not be used for domestic purposes in the house!
akirk said:
a more normal philosophy might be to ask whether an item in the scenario being described by the OP is being enjoyed purely by the business or as a personal enjoyment (& by friends and family as well)... if so then it might not be an appropriate business expense...
This is the criteria I usually go by.That and whether I think I could persuade a HMRC rep that I legitimately bought it solely for the business, should I ever be investigated.
If you think you could persuade the HMRC that a fish tank in a home office, for the benefit of just one or two people is a legitimate business expense and not just a home decoration that you've stuck through the books, go for it.
Well what I was thinking of is I've seen lovely tanks in some offices. I am going to assume the staff aren't paying for them and one is in reception so the staff and visitors enjoy it. I haven't asked them but I guess they don't pay for the tank and stock and all running stuff themselves so the company must pay..
akirk said:
With respect, as I am aware how helpful you are, that is a typical accountant's reply might be factually correct, but...
If you have an office of 100 people it might be quite easy to demonstrate that a rubber plant in the corner doesn't directly demonstrate any link to the trading activity of the business, yet there would be no issue in buying it... fountains outside the corporate HQ / fancy paintings on the wall, or at the other end of the scale those dreadful inspirational posters - chances are the trading activity of the business would continue without them... yet they can be bought...
a more normal philosophy might be to ask whether an item in the scenario being described by the OP is being enjoyed purely by the business or as a personal enjoyment (& by friends and family as well)... if so then it might not be an appropriate business expense...
As an illustration I recently bought a dustpan and brush (last of the big spenders at £1.99) for the home office to avoid having to go to the house and get the one from there... the dustpan and brush will be used exclusively by the business and is I think an allowable expense... as a business we could operate with leaves on the floor, but prefer not... the key here though is that said cleaning utensil will not be used for domestic purposes in the house!
It's all about context. might be factually correct, but...If you have an office of 100 people it might be quite easy to demonstrate that a rubber plant in the corner doesn't directly demonstrate any link to the trading activity of the business, yet there would be no issue in buying it... fountains outside the corporate HQ / fancy paintings on the wall, or at the other end of the scale those dreadful inspirational posters - chances are the trading activity of the business would continue without them...
yet they can be bought...a more normal philosophy might be to ask whether an item in the scenario being described by the OP is being enjoyed purely by the business or as a personal enjoyment (& by friends and family as well)... if so then it might not be an appropriate business expense...
As an illustration I recently bought a dustpan and brush (last of the big spenders at £1.99) for the home office to avoid having to go to the house and get the one from there... the dustpan and brush will be used exclusively by the business and is I think an allowable expense... as a business we could operate with leaves on the floor, but prefer not... the key here though is that said cleaning utensil will not be used for domestic purposes in the house!
If you are a business and buy a painting for the CEO's office which is in dedicated office building, that WILL be allowable.
If you operate from home and buy the same painting for your living room, it won't be allowable.
If you operate from home and buy the same painting for the room you use as an office 100% of the time, that should be allowable too.
If you use a room as both an office and some non business activity, such as a bedroom or a conservatory, the claiming of the cost will be less clear. HMRC does recognise dual purpose usage i.e part business/[part private and will allow a cost if it can be reasonably split.
Your dustpan and brush would always be 100% allowable especially as you can demonstrate that you have another dustpan and brush 100% available for non-business use.
Jasandjules said:
Well what I was thinking of is I've seen lovely tanks in some offices. I am going to assume the staff aren't paying for them and one is in reception so the staff and visitors enjoy it. I haven't asked them but I guess they don't pay for the tank and stock and all running stuff themselves so the company must pay..
If they are in dedicated office areas, i.e. their is absolutely no domestic aspect to their "enjoyment", then they are 100% allowable.Eric Mc said:
Your dustpan and brush would always be 100% allowable especially as you can demonstrate that you have another dustpan and brush 100% available for non-business use.
to be fair - I can show availability of 4 other dustpan and brushes for non-business use...now I think of it - a bit worrying really
PurpleMoonlight said:
I do have a 500l tank in my office which is deemed a business expense.
I have an office at home but I don't use that exclusively for the business either, I have my personal documents in there etc. The tank is in another room where I also work in fact where I mainly work, the "office" is more where I store files etc until I need them and after I am done with them, along with the printer and scanner etc
Jasandjules said:
I have an office at home but I don't use that exclusively for the business either, I have my personal documents in there etc.
The tank is in another room where I also work in fact where I mainly work, the "office" is more where I store files etc until I need them and after I am done with them, along with the printer and scanner etc
If you were buying a new tank I would say go for it and see if your accountant or HMRC bThe tank is in another room where I also work in fact where I mainly work, the "office" is more where I store files etc until I need them and after I am done with them, along with the printer and scanner etc
h about it, but I don't think I would go through the hassle of selling what you have to the business just to save a few quid on maintenance.By the way, is it tropical or marine?
Jasandjules said:
I have an office at home but I don't use that exclusively for the business either, I have my personal documents in there etc.
The tank is in another room where I also work in fact where I mainly work, the "office" is more where I store files etc until I need them and after I am done with them, along with the printer and scanner etc
Strictly speaking it's not in your formal "office" so HMRC COULD deny any claim.The tank is in another room where I also work in fact where I mainly work, the "office" is more where I store files etc until I need them and after I am done with them, along with the printer and scanner etc
Of course, you can go ahead and claim and see if they notice. That is your choice.
Are the fish on the payroll?
Is their fish food a BIK?
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