Mobile Office - Tax

[ProgMgr]

Looking for some guidance - haven't been able to find anything on line.

Like many - my work is happening at home. Unlike some, there's very little space in our house - to the extent that it's not actually possible to keep out of the way of the other members of the household and have a functional work environment.

I think HMRC decided some time ago that garden cabins wouldn't be considered a business expense. And they've recently decided that a Combi van isn't a commercial vehicle.

Does anyone know what the ruling is on a converted commercial vehicle (panel van - no rear passenger seats / no windows in load area) that contains office chair, desk. power etc?

Essentially this provides a mobile office for business use - so the conversion + office kit + base van would be a business investment.

Any thoughts?

[cojak]

Mobile homes with laptop space aren't acceptable, but I would have thought something like this might be:

Mobile Office Vans - Total Van Solutions Northern Ireland

The point is that they must be solely for business use - any hint of a bed and you'd be stuffed.

[ladymuck]

Mobile homes with laptop space aren't acceptable, but I would have thought something like this might be:

Mobile Office Vans - Total Van Solutions Northern Ireland

The point is that they must be solely for business use - any hint of a bed and you'd be stuffed.

Don't forget proper sign-writing

[Lance]

Looking for some guidance - haven't been able to find anything on line.

Like many - my work is happening at home. Unlike some, there's very little space in our house - to the extent that it's not actually possible to keep out of the way of the other members of the household and have a functional work environment.

I think HMRC decided some time ago that garden cabins wouldn't be considered a business expense. And they've recently decided that a Combi van isn't a commercial vehicle.

Does anyone know what the ruling is on a converted commercial vehicle (panel van - no rear passenger seats / no windows in load area) that contains office chair, desk. power etc?

Essentially this provides a mobile office for business use - so the conversion + office kit + base van would be a business investment.

Any thoughts?

My thoughts would be that a shed with power and heating would cost less than a van kitted as you describe. Even after any tax benefits have been considered.
Get some roofing insulation from B&Q and stick to the walls and roof of the shed and you're sorted.

Or a caravan if you actually need mobility.. This one will likely cost less than a shed.

Less likely to get nicked as well. And won't need MOT, tax and insurance.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

I would treat this in the same way you'd treat providing any other kind of working space at home, whether that's in a spare room, a garden studio or a converted vehicle, which is:

* Treat all costs of conversion/decorating/building work etc. as a personal cost.
* Let the company pay for the stuff that is actual business equipment/office furniture - your desk, chair etc.

Trying to put the costs of the former through the business runs the risk of being treated as a BIK and its unlikely to qualify for capital allowances or full VAT reclaims so its just not worth it.

[ProgMgr]

Much as I thought...

Thanks for your replies everyone - pretty much as I expected. Interesting to see the company in N.Ireland offering exactly the conversion I'm considering.

However...a mouldy old caravan might just do the trick.