Company phone

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

The other point to consider - my old accountant advised me to buy my handset as an expense. When I moved accountants the new guy said it was better to treat it as a company asset. I don't know what the resident accountants here think about using either way, but my handsets are now company assets each time.

I've always bought my phones (just the handset) through the company. I used to capitalise them (a new iPhone is about £600) but as of the last upgrade, I now just treat them as an expense (but bought directly by the company) rather than depreciating them over several years. It makes no difference tax-wise and simplifies the bookkeeping. The old models then get passed on to the company secretary.

Regardless of what you do with the contract/SIM, its definitely worth buying the handset through the company for the CT saving alone. VAT too if you're on the standard scheme.

[CloudWalker]

I had both my Mobile and Broadband going through the company until recently, as it was costing me way more.
My internet literally doubled in price when I moved it to a Business line and a saw little or no difference so in the end went went back to residential.
You can just pay for calls on your mobile or get a PAYG sim.

[Ticktock]

I had both my Mobile and Broadband going through the company until recently, as it was costing me way more.
My internet literally doubled in price when I moved it to a Business line and a saw little or no difference so in the end went went back to residential.
You can just pay for calls on your mobile or get a PAYG sim.

Why bring broadband into this?

If you have a business mobile contract you do not need to separate personal vs business use - the company pays it all.
If you have PAYG then I believe you do need to separate out business & personal, but I could be wrong?

[TheFaQQer]

If you have PAYG then I believe you do need to separate out business & personal, but I could be wrong?

You can't get a business pay as you go, can you?

If it's personal, then you can claim the business calls back.

[PerfectStorm]

Agree with TCP on this point - it sounds like you are attempting to make your phone bills appear to be something that else in order to obtain tax relief.

You tell me - I'm working from Nixon Williams' advice

[Contreras]

You can't get a business pay as you go, can you?

My take on PAYG is that if the company pays directly then that's where the contract is. There is no clear guidance that says it isn't and frankly I suspect that HMRC have bigger fish to care about anyway.

[SueEllen]

Why bring broadband into this?

If you have a business mobile contract you do not need to separate personal vs business use - the company pays it all.
If you have PAYG then I believe you do need to separate out business & personal, but I could be wrong?

You can get a combine broadband and mobile package with TV from the likes of Virgin.

Personally it's a good idea to keep them separate.

In regards to personal over business the difference is the speed of customer service. When you are a business customer providers don't have a 7 day SLA instead it's 24 to 48 hours, and they actually phone you back.

[TheFaQQer]

Back in the 80's and 90's it was a big deal ... I don't think they really give a toss now - not enough money in it.

I've had a VAT and PAYE/NI audit both inspectors didn't ask any questions about it - I do the pretty much the same thing.

I'd be wary that if an inspector spotted it (which I concede is unlikely), they may presume that this is indicative of your approach to other expenses and start to dig a lot deeper.

[PerfectStorm]

Back in the 80's and 90's it was a big deal ... I don't think they really give a toss now - not enough money in it.

I've had a VAT and PAYE/NI audit both inspectors didn't ask any questions about it - I do the pretty much the same thing.

It's nice when someone with real experience chimes in to balance out the imaginary IR35 bogeyman stories!

[TheFaQQer]

It's nice when someone with real experience chimes in to balance out the imaginary IR35 bogeyman stories!

Why would your expenses impact your IR35 status?