Millions of UK businesses could be richer if they knew what tax relief to claim

Millions of British businesses could be thousands of pounds richer – if they knew what tax relief to claim.

Experts have revealed a list of the items business owners can get a tax break on, which includes childcare, eye tests and even Christmas gifts to employees.

Other tax deductible items include uniforms, salaries and utility bills from your office.

But while 92 per cent of small business owners claim to understand the UK's tax relief system, a study of 500 found many aren't claiming as much as they could.

Around six in 10 owners didn't know they could claim for relief on medical insurance or pension payments for employees.

And 47 per cent were unaware they could claim for staff training, while 68 per cent didn't know to put through staff events.

• 
  Brits set to give UK economy £14billion boost on festive breaks this Christmas

• 
  Top business brains share secrets of starting a successful firm in new book

Rebecca Freeman, qualified accountant at digital bookkeeper app Receipt Bank, which commissioned the research, said: "Tax breaks seem complicated, but there are a few simple rules everyone can follow.

"Read up on what you're entitled to, particularly if you work at home or your office is based in a rural area.

"As a general rule keep digital records of all your business expenditure – your accountant can help with the hard bits around entitlement.

"Tax breaks exist to help small businesses invest and grow; businesses that forgo their entitlements are putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage.

"By claiming every allowable expense, you're making sure you don't pay a penny more in tax than you have to.

"Unfortunately as we've found, not all new business owners are clear on the rules, and this can lead to them missing out."

• 
  Water bills to be slashed for households after industry watchdog steps in

The study also found more than half of those running a limited company didn't realise they could claim back money if their office was based in their home.

And a similar percentage were unaware charity donations, mileage or legal fees are also tax deductible.

However, 18 per cent have mistakenly tried to put through everyday work clothes as tax relief – genuinely believing they were allowed.

A further one in 20 cheeky owners have attempted to claim for home furniture, dental work – and even vet fees for the office pet.

Two per cent of respondents have even submitted a claim for UNDERWEAR.

Rebecca Freeman for Receipt Bank added: "There are very obviously some items you can't claim for – although it would seem some are happy to try.

"If you've bought a work shirt from Next, that's not tax deductible. But if you own a company and the uniform has your logo, then it is.

"The taxman is quite clear with what you can and can't claim for. But you'd be surprised with the things you can – from Christmas parties to business mileage – all these costs add up and every little helps."

It also emerged just under half of those polled, via OnePoll, don't believe they have made all the claims for tax relief their business is entitled to.

As a result, three in 10 think they've personally made a financial loss, while one fifth think their lack of knowledge has delayed the growth of the business.

Cash flow problems have been a real problem for 19 per cent of business owners, while 12 per cent have found themselves unable to take on new employees.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, half of owners feel overwhelmed with the amount of paperwork they need to deal with and 15 per cent say they haven't claimed for tax relief in the past due to a complete lack of understanding of financial jargon.

Receipt Bank CEO, Adrian Blair, said: "British businesses are overpaying on tax, and it's hurting their cashflow.

"We have the technology in our pockets to give businesses back control of their balance sheet – and keep more of their hard earned money in their companies."

Childcare costs (89 per cent)

Gifts to employees (88 per cent)

Eye Test (79 per cent)

Life insurance for directors (75 per cent)

Christmas party or staff events (68 per cent)

Salaries (66 per cent)

Medical insurance for employees (63 per cent)

Pension payments for employees (58 per cent)

Advertising and Marketing (55 per cent)

Website costs and hosting (55 per cent)

Bank fees / charges for a business account (53 per cent)

Legal fees (53 per cent)

Rent of an office (52 per cent)

Use of the home as an office (52 per cent)

Charity donations (51 per cent)

Motor related costs (51 per cent)

Insurance in the company name (50 per cent)

Printing, postage and stationery (49 per cent)

Software used within business (49 per cent)

Professional subscriptions (49 per cent)

Telephone / broadband (48 per cent)

Training for staff (47 per cent)

Uniform for work (46 per cent)

Accountancy fees (46 per cent)

Accommodation for business travel (42 per cent)

Business mileage using a personal car (40 per cent)

Computer equipment (38 per cent)

Source: Read Full Article