Reasonable number of computers?

[Clare@InTouch]

Every year??? Are you sure that is good advice? I can see how you could argue it with HMRC and quite possibly get away with it but it would a point for argument rather than a quick sign off surely?

I'd question that too - and as much as the accountant may be flippant about it, it's still the taxpayer who ends up in trouble if HMRC question it. Even if you could justify a new computer every year, you'd have to properly dispose of the old one for market value or there'd be a benefit in kind.

[Support Monkey]

I also agree and disagree It depends on what the companies are dishing them out for, and they are dishing them to permies. I wouldn't run my tax affairs based on what other companies do, the inspector won't take this in to account. An iPad is only a business requirement if it is need wholly and exclusively for business, not just because other business' dish them out.

permie or not its the company buying it and presumably putting it through the books as a business requirement for their business, as i said i partially agree that the Ipad is not productive currently however i think as with the I-phone the the line is starting to blur and the more tablets are used the more chance it will become a required business tool

[BigTime]

Every year??? Are you sure that is good advice? I can see how you could argue it with HMRC and quite possibly get away with it but it would a point for argument rather than a quick sign off surely?

Of course I'm too tight to follow that advice. I guess her thinking was if it's still around, no worries about disposal and we're (accountants and techies) too dependent on computers to worry about justification of a new pc each year.

[northernladuk]

Of course I'm too tight to follow that advice. I guess her thinking was if it's still around, no worries about disposal and we're (accountants and techies) too dependent on computers to worry about justification of a new pc each year.

Yeah I can see the thinking but what your accountant thinks and what an inspector thinks will be different. I wouldn't be comfortable with my accountant if that is the level of diligence they are paying to my affairs TBH. Low risk and low amounts granted but the warning signs are there.

[NotAllThere]

My client here dishes out iPads. At the moment it is a pilot to see whether they can properly be used as a business tool. The users connect to the various applications via citrix; we're also looking at creating directly usable apps.

Fwiw, I have three computers belonging to my business. A server running SAP, a desktop and a laptop. Once they're fully depreciated (market value effectively zero), they get handed down. If you only had an iPad, I think you'd be fine. iPad + laptop... nah.

[russell]

I have bought a mac mini, mac book air, 2 iPhones, HD projector, 5.1 speaker system, 2 Hermin Miller chairs through my company.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

What elements of your business could be carried out on an i-pad that couldn't be carried out on a laptop?

[BigTime]

What elements of your business could be carried out on an i-pad that couldn't be carried out on a laptop?

In my case, the ipad is the only computer I've bought through my current ltd. God knows how many times I've been tempted by a laptop but never clicked the buy button.

[Mr.Whippy]

If you only had an iPad, I think you'd be fine. iPad + laptop... nah.

I have both a laptop (4 years old so fully depreciated) and an iPad. Rather than replace the laptop I bought an iPad because I was revising for certifications/exams. I had a load of technical PDF's to read. The iPad was the ideal device for this as it's instant power-on and quick/easy to navigate the PDF's... My laptop now has a battery life of about 45 minutes and it's not really usable when on a train/tube when you have to stand up all the way.

Once I'd got the certifications, it got shoved in a drawer and has been there since. So imo, that's wholly and exclusively business purposes.

If you have an iPad chock full of Angry Birds and Hide The Fart then you'd have some trouble justifying it.

[bobspud]

From the previous discussion it looks to me like the ipad does pass: http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...company-3.html and I'm claiming mine as wholly & exclusively for business use.

My accountant recommended I buy a new PC or laptop each year and in her words 'give the old one to the kids'.

So in your situation to get started I'd buy, smartphone, ipad and laptop now. Next year get the macbook air.

+1 This is exactly how I stock my office. But then I am in Infrastructure so I need quite a lot of kit turnover.