expenses advise! should have gone for B&B ?

[contractor0118]

Hi

Im newbie and on my first contract ( it’s a 6 month contract)… when I signed the contract I did a mistake of terminating my flat lease at old city and relocated to a village (this is where my client is based) . it’s a small village and m finding myself isolated from friends and family!
I am finding myself having to travel to nearby city for shopping, and weekends and regularly travelling back to old town to spend weekend with friends etc
I wish I hadn’t terminated my flat lease and only rented a cheap B&B here and claimed as an expense!!
Now, considering my circumstances what are valid business expenses that I can claim?
Other than cost of relocation to new town?
I travel over the weekend and stay in B&B at old city or nearby city, can those be claimed as an expense?
Can cost of my new lease be claimed as an expense? This is only place I am renting now…. and will move out of this place by end of current contract.
Thanks

[eek]

Hi
Can cost of my new lease be claimed as an expense? This is only place I am renting now…. and will move out of this place by end of current contract.
Thanks

As this is your only address and you live there 7 days a week you can't claim any of it. Sorry but the rukes are very clear. You can only claim for expenditure directly related to business so you can't claim for a 7 day a week rental if you don't have a fixed abode the rest of the time

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Eek is right - under these circumstances you can't claim for anything I'm afraid

[Pondlife]

As both eek and Lisa have covered the facts you should probably also consider your approach to the way you're going to work in the future.

I would say this is less about expenses but more about work/life balance. You have to live somewhere, so pick somewhere you like and rent a place there. Then, if you need to travel & stay away for contracts then this (travel) is a valid business expense - but it isn't your main abode or more importantly, home. Relocating for each gig is not a healthy way to live as a contractor IMVHO.

Just my £0.02

[northernladuk]

Just my £0.02

Is that gross or net?

[Pondlife]

Is that gross or net?

Everything I do is gross apparently.

[contractor0118]

As both eek and Lisa have covered the facts you should probably also consider your approach to the way you're going to work in the future.

I would say this is less about expenses but more about work/life balance. You have to live somewhere, so pick somewhere you like and rent a place there. Then, if you need to travel & stay away for contracts then this (travel) is a valid business expense - but it isn't your main abode or more importantly, home. Relocating for each gig is not a healthy way to live as a contractor IMVHO.

Just my £0.02

couldnt agree with you anymore!! i feel so sick and unhealthy ,

[cojak]

couldnt agree with you anymore!! i feel so sick and unhealthy ,

Contracting isn't all roses I'm afraid.

And while we're into the bad news, I hope you've got an accountant, sorted out your business financials and are not spending your CT and VAT.

[eek]

Contracting isn't all roses I'm afraid.

And while we're into the bad news, I hope you've got an accountant, sorted out your business financials and are not spending your CT and VAT.

That'll be his second question in 9 months time. where have these bills come from.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Excellent advice from Cojak - getting your accounts in a muddle is going to do nothing to relieve the stress