Sole trader - vehicle expenses
Sole trader - vehicle expenses
Author
Discussion

QuartzDad

Original Poster:

2,635 posts

139 months

Monday 4th January 2021
quotequote all
I'm trying to help a mate work out his tax liabilities and I'm having a brain fart regarding his vehicle situation:

He's a self-employed one-man-band sole trader.

He rents a Transit for £400/month. It's fully maintained and includes insurance.

The only thing he pays for is the diesel he uses, he does around 25,000 miles a year.

When working out his allowable expenses to offset against his income is he allowed to claim;

a) £400/month AND 45p/mile for the first 10,000 miles, 25p/mile thereafter;
b) £400/month AND some other lower figure per mile (which is what?);
c) something else?

Thanks.


trickywoo

13,176 posts

247 months

Monday 4th January 2021
quotequote all
I think it will be the actual fuel cost, for non personal and non to and from home and normal place of work.

Plus the £400 a month rental.

Qwerty911

87 posts

104 months

Monday 4th January 2021
quotequote all
£400/mth plus fuel.

Pit Pony

10,309 posts

138 months

Monday 4th January 2021
quotequote all
Not LTD? Easier to explain if LTD and not self employed.

Either the business pays him a tax free 45p/25p a mile for 10000/15000 miles and nothing else.

Or the business pays the rental/lease/repairs/fuel at cost/jet wash costs and nothing else.

Let's assume he ONLY uses it for work and any personal use is incidental.

Otherwise his personal use is the equivalent of £3000 income. Taxed at whatever rate he pays.




QuartzDad

Original Poster:

2,635 posts

139 months

Monday 4th January 2021
quotequote all
He doesn't have a Ltd, one of many issues...

He doesn't have a fixed place of work, based from home and goes wherever that day's work is.

So looks like £400/month plus fuel receipts.

Thanks.

Simpo Two

89,530 posts

282 months

Monday 4th January 2021
quotequote all
QuartzDad said:
He's a self-employed one-man-band sole trader.
As was I.

My vehicle (a normal car) was owned not rented, but I simply added up all my motoring expenses and put 75% of them through the books. 'Private car used for business' was the angle, the other 25% being private use. Very easy.

If your friend has another vehicle for private use then I guess he could make the figure 100%.

Countdown

45,106 posts

213 months

Monday 4th January 2021
quotequote all
QuartzDad said:
He doesn't have a Ltd, one of many issues...

He doesn't have a fixed place of work, based from home and goes wherever that day's work is.

So looks like £400/month plus fuel receipts.

Thanks.
Fuel receipts adjusted for any personal use (as Tricky suggested)


IJWS15

2,046 posts

102 months

Monday 4th January 2021
quotequote all
IIRC from the advice my accountant provided the 45p a mile is to provide and run the vehicle.

If he claims the £400 then he as an individual is being provided with a vehicle which opens up the NI Contribution hole. He also can't then claim the 45p a mile but only the fuel only rate.

He should pay for an hour with an accountant.


QuartzDad

Original Poster:

2,635 posts

139 months

Monday 4th January 2021
quotequote all
Van is 100% 'work'. He has a car for private duties.

An hour (or more) with an accountant is happening, just trying to get as many figures ready up-front as possible.

Eric Mc

124,106 posts

282 months

Monday 4th January 2021
quotequote all
He is renting a van for his business.

He should claim the cost of rental.

Any other running costs of the vehicle - fuel, insurance, repairs etc THAT HE HAS TO PAY, he should claim as well.

As you claim the van is 100% for business use, then there is no need to apportion these costs. The van is 100% for business so the associated costs HE INCURS in keeping the van roadworthy and running are allowable.

He DOES need to ensure he keeps adequate records of all the invoices and receipts he receives in respect of the vehicle.