Can these be expensed? Language lessons, voice training, alexander technique lessons?

[dowjones123]

I would be starting a consultancy contract, initially with one client, but the client company is looking for another of their group company to also contract me some stuff. I think potentially I might pitch it to a few other companies and see if I can expand and be more like a company (i.e, hire a person to work for me, contract out some stuff and also travel to Russia, etc to get some more work, and gain some more field knowledge for the kind of work I would be doing)

I want to take up

1) Language lesson - Russian
2) Voice training lessons - for effective communication skills for pitching to potential clients
3) Alexander technique lessons - should be an addition to voice training, most voice trainers advice this
4) A business makeover package for learning about business attire, proper presentation skills, ettiquette for formal events (I might be required to accompany the client to some dinners to secretaries of ministries in European countries)

Can I expense the cost of these lessons? What record should I keep? How should I justify? Any dos and donts

Thanks

[stek]

без шансов!!

Russian is one of the hardest languages ever, it's inflected (ie nouns, adjectives and pronouns change edgings acceding to gender, number and case), flexible word order for added nuance, plus the alphabet, plus the idioms, plus the odd criminal language and the swearing language, not worth it.

You ok re: Russian WP - they've really tightened up lately, although there are ways...

[northernladuk]

I don't know the background to his but wanting to start a business dealing with Russia when you don't speak Russian is a bit ambitious isn't it? There is speaking the holiday lingo and speaking it proficiently enough to do business and even begin to require the rest of the stuff. All sounds a bit much to me.

You can claim courses that are directly related to the work you are doing, not courses that are not related to your main business line. As you don't have business in Russia yet I can't see how you could claim, particularly the voice training and etiquette courses although I can see how this could be argued but from memory the guidance is pretty clear, if not a bit dumb.

Do a search for training as many questions have been asked on a variety of different types of courses but I would say skilling up to potentially start doing business won't count.

Some threads about languages and softskills discussed before ...

http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...ng-course.html

http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...ing-costs.html

[swamp]

без шансов!!

Russian is one of the hardest languages ever, it's inflected (ie nouns, adjectives and pronouns change edgings acceding to gender, number and case), flexible word order for added nuance, plus the alphabet, plus the idioms, plus the odd criminal language and the swearing language, not worth it.

WSS

or

Как cтек говорил


The vocabulary is probably the hardest bit. Lots of Slavic word roots (cognates) to learn. And in real life Russians like to use all sorts of idioms and sayings that aren't in the book. Unlike English, Russian is not a common second language, and Russians are not used to speaking to people speaking it as a second language.

[stek]

Can these be expensed? Language lessons, voice training, alexander technique lessons?

WSS

or

Как cтек говорил


The vocabulary is probably the hardest bit. Lots of Slavic word roots (cognates) to learn. And in real life Russians like to use all sorts of idioms and sayings that aren't in the book. Unlike English, Russian is not a common second language, and Russians are not used to speaking to people speaking it as a second language.

Что Стек сказал I would say, but I'm very rusty!!

Otherwise spot on, most Russians are delighted you speak a bit, but also they are more keen to practise their English, and will be unbearingly nice about your attempts на Русском языке (in - or literally on Russian language) and exclaim без акцента! (Without accent) when they mean 'what he say' (что сказал?'

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

do svidaniya tovarisch

IMHO you could not expense any of the things you suggested - duality of purpose

[dowjones123]

Thanks for the comments.

Currently I am working in a company (say X) ie i'm an employee, and I am doing similar work. I would be setting up my own company W - a consultancy business, and would work with various clients like Y (and maybe another Z in sometime), and would partner up with X from time to time for final execution, etc. I would be paid by Y (not by X, i want to stress, so its not under IR35)

Currently my employer X understands my need for Russian and French language lessons (its a big French bank and I cover Russian clients), voice lessons and they actually pay for my tuitions/arrange for them. So they claim VAT benefit on it and also claim the amount paid (net of VAT) as expense. I would be doing a similar sort of work, but on my own as company W, and I fail to see why X can expense such tuition fees while I can't do so. Can HMRC knock on X's door? I am sure they have got this covered somehow.

[northernladuk]

Companies send you on courses as investment. They may take a loss on courses to make more in return. Don't assume your company is claiming it back and don't try and compare a large corporates tax affairs with a one man band. Due to the size of them they can pull many more tricks than we can.

[NotAllThere]

What is your core business?

Presentation skills training is probably ok. 2-4 seem justifiable on those grounds. Duality of purpose doesn't come into it - I did presentation training 15 years ago; I can't recall actually using those skills outside of a business context!

Language lessons are probably not justifiable - even if bigcos can do it.

Businesses may make any purchases they like. If they want to buy their employees a laptop, language lessons or a diamond tiara, they can. If they wish to buy for themselves a ming vase for the reception area, an office printer, or entertain clients - that's fine. The question is whether it is tax deductable or not. A non-tax deductable purchase may nonetheless be offset against VAT.

Some purchases businesses make may result in a BIK charges.

So the questions are:
1. Is the purchase (corporation) tax deductable (or a capital purchase)?
2. Can the VAT be offset?
3. Is there a BIK?

In your position, I'd have my company pay for 2-4, and pay for 1 myself.

[cojak]

I was a trainer when I undertook an intensive (6 month) AT course (as a punter, not a therapist).

I didn't dream of asking my accountant - he would have laughed at me as he did when I asked if I could expense a couple of decent suits in which to present.

(I did research it and it was a big, fat NO!)