| Topic: Another Tax(ing) question!! |
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| Posted : 30/01/10 / Views : 1052 / Replies : 14 / |
| Can anyone help?
I'm wondering re my tax return, what is allowable as expenses when it comes to travel to auditions and other things??
I know that if I was employed in a proper job that mileage to and from my usual place of work is not an allowable expense, but I always keep my receipts (and probably should record/remember mileage) to and from auditions, meetings, rehearsals and jobs. I was under the impression that pretty much all my travel for work (as a self employed actor) was allowable as an expense (either at the actual expense/cost, or at 40p per mile), but now it's come to putting it all in my tax return, I suddenly feel less sure!!
Anyone know for sure?? |
| Reply #1 |
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| Posted : 28/01/10 |
| Tony ... travel TO work is not allowable.... as is the return from work. The rest ? ... well you name it. TV licence, purchase of scripts, haircuts,clothing (to keep up appearances), hire of Dress suits, cosmetic surgery, percentage of your dwelling (office use) also heating,electricity and of course the ubiquitous telephone ... the list is not endless, it just seems it !!!. |
| Reply #2 |
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| Posted : 28/01/10 |
| Allan, I always understood that travelling expenses WERE allowed - to auditions, shoots, etc. - equivalent to, say, a plumber who works from home putting down the diesel for his van as a business expense... |
| Reply #3 |
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| Posted : 28/01/10 |
| There is a guide that Equity sends that discusses what is usually allowed by the Inland Revenue. Contact them for details. |
| Reply #4 |
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| Posted : 28/01/10 |
| as ever think allan is right ...if you are in a production the venue becomes your place of work so you can`t claim travel...however travel to and from auditions etc are claimable ie they are not your place of work..ps blake how`s midsummer going ? say hello to my gorgeous mate katie |
| Reply #5 |
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| Posted : 28/01/10 |
| I think that travel expenses to work, auditions etc are allowed.
I think it is only when you are working on a long term contract where you cannot claim, as it is then treated as a 'normal job' - i.e working in a musical in the west end on a years contract.
However, this is only what I have heard etc. I have no official answer... Equity will though.
Hope that helps x |
| Reply #6 |
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| Posted : 28/01/10 |
| Thanks guys.
Aidan, I think what you say falls closest to my place of work/not place of work thinking, but I will check with equity - thanks blake. The only way I think it would all be allowable is if your home address (as your registered one for tax purposes) is considered your place of work.
As a side note I'd just like to say...be careful with a couple of those Allan. For an expense to be allowable it has to "wholly and exclusively" for the purposes of work, so haircuts and clothing are not always necesarily allowable. If they are specifically for a job or role then they are fine but, for example, clothing to maintain your wardrobe or "keep up appearances" may not be. There is some case law on this, as well as surprisingly, the fact it is not that easy to claim cosmetic surgury, with the burden being on you to prove it was wholly and exclusively for work!
Thanks guys |
| Reply #7 |
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| Posted : 28/01/10 |
| Oh and thanks Si, just saw your post.
Yours is also in line with what I thought...I think i just got a bit jumpy with actually writing them alll down! |
| Reply #8 |
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| Posted : 28/01/10 |
| With regards to travel expenses, it's also worth remembering that if you are on tour and receiving travel costs, then the most tax efficient thing to do is to put down the travel costs paid by the company as income (ie pay tax on it), but instead claim from the Revenue a mileage allowance of 40p a mile between venues. NB This only works if you have a car... |
| Reply #9 |
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| Posted : 28/01/10 |
| Be warned !!! ... this thread brings back some very black memories ... commuted 'twixt Cheshire and BBC Tv centre for ten years or so ... week in, week out. Like many others, thought, at the time, my exs were tax allowable. WRONG !!!... got slapped with a £36.000 tax bill, solely on my journeys to and from work !!! albeit a 400 mile round trip !!!. |
| Reply #10 |
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| Posted : 28/01/10 |
| Thanks Allan,
Can I ask...what was that for? Was it a full time or ongoing contract? |
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