Business phone/internet

[bad_panda]

Hi, I've been set up as a limited company for nearly a year now and starting to look at getting more out of company expenses (a little late maybe). One issue I have is that I'm paying £85 a month for my TV/phone/broadband through Virgin Media.

Now, I've never had an issue with this as the service has always been pretty good. However, I'm not using a lot of the features of this package now and the broadband is getting very dodgy. I'm in the business of web design and development too, so I really have to do something about it.

Can anyone recommend a plan of action? I'm quite happy to cancel Virgin altogether, but I'd have to get my TV from Sky then. Also, if I get a business phone/internet package via BT or related line-based company, will I need a separate line for my personal calls/internet and are the business packages any good anyway?

[minstrel]

I think there are two questions here.

Firstly, can you put your Virgin package through as a business expense? If it's "wholly and exclusively" for business use then yes, if not then no. TV is unlikely to be for business use but you could make a case that phone and internet are needed for your business and claim an appropriate percentage as business related. You could perhaps make a case that 50% of the £85 you pay is business related and claim accordingly.

The second question is whether there is anyone who provides a better broadband service than Virgin. I've not used a business broadband service before so I don't really know. If you pay a premium for a business package you may get better contention ratios and customer service, but I don't think there is a big difference in the underlying technology.

If you've got problems with your broadband - dropping out etc - it's likely you could get that even if you are on a business package as it is likely to be due to line quality or kit etc.

[bad_panda]

Firstly, can you put your Virgin package through as a business expense? If it's "wholly and exclusively" for business use then yes, if not then no. TV is unlikely to be for business use but you could make a case that phone and internet are needed for your business and claim an appropriate percentage as business related. You could perhaps make a case that 50% of the £85 you pay is business related and claim accordingly.

Hi Minstrel. I think it's unlikely I can put the whole VIP package through as an expense. From looking around on this forum, the suggestion is that VM generally refuse to accept a business name against a TV account. I will ask my accountant if I can put a percentage through the books for phone/internet, but I'm sure he's told me before the phone/internet account will have to be set up under the business name if it is to be claimed.

The second question is whether there is anyone who provides a better broadband service than Virgin. I've not used a business broadband service before so I don't really know. If you pay a premium for a business package you may get better contention ratios and customer service, but I don't think there is a big difference in the underlying technology.

I've been happy, until recently, with cable broadband, but the service is getting worse. I presume it's due to over-subscription as reliability drops significantly at peak times. I've had issues with VM/NTL customer service in the past, to the point I've no faith in them fixing a problem (if it was fixable). I've been happy to put up with the odd dropout before, but as they get more frequent and I'm getting more clients the need for a good service with decent CS is more important. If I can claim these costs as an expense too, even better!!

[BolshieBastard]

There's no way you can legitimately claim the package you mention as a business expense.

You're best bet is to have a separate business phone \ broadband line. But, then you'll find business lines are more expensive plus you've got the hassle of having extra line into your house.

Look, we're under attack enough from HMRC as it is and when people want to start claiming for stuff that we all know isnt really a 'business expense' and is instead just a trick to get some things cheaper, is it any wonder HMRC are attacking us more and more?

[bad_panda]

I agree with what you're saying, but that's not my reason for starting this thread. I wouldn't expect to get expenses for my TV package, or the Virgin package I've described above, but my landline and internet use is largely business-related.

[SueEllen]

I agree with what you're saying, but that's not my reason for starting this thread. I wouldn't expect to get expenses for my TV package, or the Virgin package I've described above, but my landline and internet use is largely business-related.

As the others stated you would have to:
1. Not include the TV part of your package as an expense
2. Claim a percentage of your internet costs for business
3. Pay the line rental from the telephone part personally but you can claim the cost of the business calls.

The easiest thing to do is to get business internet and business telephone in the company name. The packages are more expensive but in theory you get better service i.e. if they go down they don't keep you waiting for days only a day max, customer service is more inclined to answer the telephone instead of keeping you in a queue for half an hour plus and they do ring you back.

Everyone I personally know who claims the total cost of a telephone line for business has two landline lines in their house either 2 bt, or bt and someone else. They don't necessarily have two internet connections through.

[bad_panda]

As the others stated you would have to:
1. Not include the TV part of your package as an expense
2. Claim a percentage of your internet costs for business
3. Pay the line rental from the telephone part personally but you can claim the cost of the business calls.

The easiest thing to do is to get business internet and business telephone in the company name. The packages are more expensive but in theory you get better service i.e. if they go down they don't keep you waiting for days only a day max, customer service is more inclined to answer the telephone instead of keeping you in a queue for half an hour plus and they do ring you back.

Everyone I personally know who claims the total cost of a telephone line for business has two landline lines in their house either 2 bt, or bt and someone else. They don't necessarily have two internet connections through.

Thanks. That does seem like a viable option. I could go for a basic TV/phone/internet package with Virgin for personal use and get a telephone line for business use. I'd also be tempted to get business broadband too, through that line, as the customer service should be a lot better and i do depend a lot on a good internet connection.

[Moscow Mule]

Thanks. That does seem like a viable option. I could go for a basic TV/phone/internet package with Virgin for personal use and get a telephone line for business use. I'd also be tempted to get business broadband too, through that line, as the customer service should be a lot better and i do depend a lot on a good internet connection.

Seems to be a good bet...

http://www.btbroadbandoffice.com/bro...ness_broadband