HMRC now accept 'smartphones' qualify as 'mobile phones'

[northernladuk]

I follow your interpretation, my accountant won't. He alludes to the "fact" that personal use is a "very small amount."

Further, my accountant said:

"HMRC has never defined or make clear what would constitute as small amount. It is normally left under discretion of the HMRC officer. This is why we never recommend personal use."

Looks like I'll have to sign-off the year end accounts despite the fact they do not comply with my interpretation of what is "true and fair."

Possibly time to look for a new one? This isn't about interpretation as far as I can see. 3 or 4 quality outfits have answered your question properly in this thread alone.

[ronanm]

Possibly time to look for a new one? This isn't about interpretation as far as I can see. 3 or 4 quality outfits have answered your question properly in this thread alone.

Agreed. But _ _ _ are a quality outfit too! Hard to know who to go with - if _ _ _ 's interpretation is to my liking for some stuff vs. competitor's interpretations, whereas the former are to my liking in this case, who to pick?

[northernladuk]

Agreed. But _ _ _ are a reputable outfit too! Hard to know who to go with - if _ _ _ 's interpretation is to my liking for some stuff vs. competitor's interpretations, whereas the former are to my liking in this case, who to pick?

Ahhhhhh... See your point. Well if I was in your boots I would send a mail to them stating you are happy with situation, appreciate their advice but would like to claim it and move on.

[Nixon Williams]

Ahhhhhh... See your point. Well if I was in your boots I would send a mail to them stating you are happy with situation, appreciate their advice but would like to claim it and move on.

Agree with this approach. Your accountant is there to advise, if you wish to take some other advice and accept it, then advise your accountant that you wish to claim as we have described.

Any decent accountant will not have a problem with you rejecting their advice. If they refuse to do what you instruct, then it is you with the problem. You can then either stay with them or move on.

Whilst we are not talking about major money here, I would be concerned that if they advise caution about something so clear, what will happen when something comes up that is a bit cloudy?

Alan

[ronanm]

Agree with this approach. Your accountant is there to advise, if you wish to take some other advice and accept it, then advise your accountant that you wish to claim as we have described.

Any decent accountant will not have a problem with you rejecting their advice. If they refuse to do what you instruct, then it is you with the problem. You can then either stay with them or move on.

Whilst we are not talking about major money here, I would be concerned that if they advise caution about something so clear, what will happen when something comes up that is a bit cloudy?

Alan

Not quite - I don't have a problem as long as their rationale for not accepting my "instruct"ion is acceptable to me.

As to what you might constitute as cloudy, they may deem clear. After all, there's no accounting for taste

[d000hg]

As a director of your company you are legally responsible for your accounts so have to make sure you understand them well. Accountants are not proactive and will provide the service offered, they very rarely offer proactive advice and certainly do not tutor you on all the in's and out's of running your business. Unfortunately it does fall to us to dig this stuff out hence all the guides, forums and so on. Just a matter of researching it I am afraid. 'tis annoying at times though.

Accountants certainly don't have to, but some do - many of the "contractor accountants" have free guides on their websites for instance, and InTouch send infrequent emails on subjects like expenses, Xmas parties, etc.
Obviously in a 'proper' company this is one thing you employ a finance person for.

Do the more expensive accountants offer more proactive services, or is that frowned upon professionally?

[Nixon Williams]

Not quite - I don't have a problem as long as their rationale for not accepting my "instruct"ion is acceptable to me.

As to what you might constitute as cloudy, they may deem clear. After all, there's no accounting for taste

It seems you have already decided to ignore the advice of every accountant who has commented on this thread (and have agreed with me), so it begs the question on why did you bother to ask for advice in the first place.

I will repeat one more time, the claiming for a mobile phone/smart phone is quite clear and you can claim provided that you follow the guidance I posted earlier.

I also posted the link to the HMRC site that stated this position. There is no problem with making personal calls.

I appreciate that you can ask three accountants and get three different opinions, however this is not the case here.

I could understand if your view was that the tax savings was not worth the hassle, but you cannot say that the tax savings are not available, they are.


Alan

[Wanderer]

Interesting - I genuinely did not realise that was the case, particularly when the accounting firm used is, by looking at past posts, used very widely by those on here.

Is it SJD?

[northernladuk]

Is it SJD?

Don't ever play hangman for money!

[Waldorf]

Is it SJD?

Why do you think that? Do they not recommend putting a phone through your company?