Mobile phone (company or personal)

**malvolio** · 25 October 2006, 13:40

There is no BIK with a mobile phone, so either get it through the company or get your own and charge business calls at cost as expenses, using the itemised billing. The overall cost is not going to be hugely different, to be honest.

Practically speaking, it's probably easier to get your own: as you have found, there are better deals as a real person than as a business.

**Pondlife** · 25 October 2006, 13:43

Originally posted by malvolio

There is no BIK with a mobile phone, so either get it through the company or get your own and charge business calls at cost as expenses, using the itemised billing. The overall cost is not going to be hugely different, to be honest.

Practically speaking, it's probably easier to get your own: as you have found, there are better deals as a real person than as a business.

AFAIK there is no reason to get a business tariff. You can get a personal tariff and have the bills in the company name, then expense the lot.

**Ardesco** · 25 October 2006, 13:48

I got one on a business tariff where I have 2 phones for the same account and they share the free minutes. One for me and one for the wife (Company Secretary).

As virtually all calls are to agents/for business/calling the wife (for business purposes of course) I just let the Co pay for it and don't worry about it.

**Flubster** · 25 October 2006, 13:58

Originally posted by Ardesco

I got one on a business tariff where I have 2 phones for the same account and they share the free minutes. One for me and one for the wife (Company Secretary).

As virtually all calls are to agents/for business/calling the wife (for business purposes of course) I just let the Co pay for it and don't worry about it.

Did the same as you...on Orange shareplan. Especially good on those lonely nights in hotel rooms with video calling back home....to say goodnight to the kids of course...nothing sinister!!!

**mobwell** · 25 October 2006, 14:46

I'd say 90% of my calls are personal & 10% business.
Can I get the phone in my company name and as Pondlife suggest have the company pay the whole bill (personal + business) directly with no personal tax implications for me? Sounds too good to be true. If not what is my best option?

**Flubster** · 25 October 2006, 15:08

Originally posted by mobwell

I'd say 90% of my calls are personal & 10% business.
Can I get the phone in my company name and as Pondlife suggest have the company pay the whole bill (personal + business) directly with no personal tax implications for me? Sounds too good to be true. If not what is my best option?

I thought that had already been explained, but yes, you can.

**MrsGoof** · 25 October 2006, 15:11

I'm sure Gordo will speak up soon and put his scottish size 10s in, just to piss everyone off

**mobwell** · 25 October 2006, 15:29

Well thanks for clearing that one up for me. A contract in my comapny name it is then.

**dmini** · 18 January 2007, 09:27

Sorry to wake this thread up again - but looking at the hmrc document, the only one I have found mentioning directors http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM21779.htm
It says - "In most cases" the provision of a phone to a director is exempt.
At the moment I don't pay my hubby who is a director - is he still part of the "in most cases" or not? I could start paying him, but its not very tax efficient as he has another job as well!
I would really appreciate an opinion from one of the accountants here

Thanks

Mobile phone (company or personal)