Limited Company - Can i expense a MacBook Pro?

[Lance]

Well I heard him arguing with his accountant over it - so I don't think he is talking rubbish. The idiot part I agree with.

He's probably arguing with the accountant as the accountant is saying "if it is actually generating business, and you can prove it, you can claim it as a personal expense but not a business expense as it's business entertaining, which has no VAT or CT relief"

Sounds like he has a drinking problem though.

If staying away in hotels for several nights a week, with an expense bill of £10k p.a. including beer (that's easy enough to do) is fine as an expense.

[northernladuk]

I was more leaning to someone who uses it quite significantly for personal use (e.g. when they finish work, they use it as their primary laptop for streaming porn and playing WoW).

Doesn't matter.

[1manshow]

On a side note your 'developer colleague' is an idiot.... Or more likely talking rubbish to sound like a billy big bollox.

Well I heard him arguing with his accountant over it - so I don't think he is talking rubbish. The idiot part I agree with.

[1manshow]

And those people would be wrong. A company can provide an asset or service to its employees and directors at their home for business purposes so long as any personal use is deemed "insignificant". Generally so long as you need it in order to do your job, most personal use will be considered insignificant.

I was more leaning to someone who uses it quite significantly for personal use (e.g. when they finish work, they use it as their primary laptop for streaming porn and playing WoW).

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

I hope so. People will say that if you also use it for personal use that it will create some BIK, but who's checking?.

And those people would be wrong. A company can provide an asset or service to its employees and directors at their home for business purposes so long as any personal use is deemed "insignificant". Generally so long as you need it in order to do your job, most personal use will be considered insignificant.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Do you need a computer of a certain spec to do your job? If so, then what do you think?

[northernladuk]

I hope so. People will say that if you also use it for personal use that it will create some BIK, but who's checking?

Only people that don't have a clue what they are talking about but thanks for that.

On a funny note, one of my developer colleague puts through £10,000 a year as expenses to cover drinking costs (at the pub!). The rationale being that it is neccessary client engagement to further business .

Cool story bro.

[MrButton]

I hope so. People will say that if you also use it for personal use that it will create some BIK, but who's checking?

On a funny note, one of my developer colleague puts through £10,000 a year as expenses to cover drinking costs (at the pub!). The rationale being that it is neccessary client engagement to further business .

Well if the sole reason for the laptop purchase is for performing duties for your ltd and your personal use is not significant (personal use is incidental) then its allowable without BIK. As far as I know.

But common sense says an IT contractor needs a laptop.

HMRC have some examples - something like a retail assistant who is provided a laptop isn't for the purposes of work therefore incurs a BIK.

On a side note your 'developer colleague' is an idiot.... Or more likely talking rubbish to sound like a billy big bollox.

[malvolio]

I hope so. People will say that if you also use it for personal use that it will create some BIK, but who's checking?

Excellent advice. Break the law 'cos you won't get caught...

On a funny note, one of my developer colleague puts through £10,000 a year as expenses to cover drinking costs (at the pub!). The rationale being that it is neccessary client engagement to further business .

Just what we need more of: total prats.

[1manshow]

Can I purchase a new MacBook Pro and claim expense against my limited company?

Will it be classified as "benefits in kind"?

I read that if it comes under "benefits in kind" then there wouldn't be much advantage of doing it and would be better purchase it from myself own money. (as taken an example of a company car).

As an IT contractor, we use laptops as our tools.

I hope so. People will say that if you also use it for personal use that it will create some BIK, but who's checking?

On a funny note, one of my developer colleague puts through £10,000 a year as expenses to cover drinking costs (at the pub!). The rationale being that it is neccessary client engagement to further business .

[northernladuk]

All the above, however, won't explain the difference between the Business/Contracts and Accounting/Legal parts of the forums. You'll have to work that one out yourself though. I'm sure you'll get it in the right area next time

[northernladuk]

As a newbie many of your questions will already have been covered in a variety of different methods so it's worth knowing these rather than hit the forums with the same basic questions that have been answered.

The guides to the right will be a good start. There is an article, a bit hidden, under the expenses section that mentions computer equipment.

There is the search method which is probably your best bet. Use google or bing and type in <keyword> site:forums.contractoruk.com. The link below is for your laptop query and brings back 1400 results.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=laptop...d=&adlt=strict

Many aspects have been discussed in the threads above so you'll actually learn more than just can I do it. You'll learn about the VAT element, what to do if you want to sell it back, the difference between an expense and an asset and so on.

The other is to speak to your accountant. They are professionals who you pay and can trust. The advice you get on here is worth every penny you pay for it and should be treated as such.

HTH

[firstTimeNewbie]

Can I purchase a new MacBook Pro and claim expense against my limited company?

Will it be classified as "benefits in kind"?

I read that if it comes under "benefits in kind" then there wouldn't be much advantage of doing it and would be better purchase it from myself own money. (as taken an example of a company car).

As an IT contractor, we use laptops as our tools.