Contractor Expenses

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

I don't think this would be allowable - an expense should be an additional cost incurred wholly and exclusively because of the contract - paying a token few quid to mum and dad each month is hardly the same as renting/paying mortgage on a property and then having to pay rent/hotel costs whilst you're away on contract. I would also agree that it sounds as though the OP is staying pretty much permanently at his rental place.

[SueEllen]

Logically (and I know that HMRC don't work logically) - Where are you registered for Council Tax?

My "old" accountant posed this very question to me, since it is a residency test...hence when working away, I always stay in hotels, or rent a room in someone's home.

You have to pay council tax and other utilities for properties you live solely in whether their first, second or subsequent properties. Where you are registered to vote and have your post sent to is more of a clue to where you actually live.

The issue I had with this question is that there is no mention of going home at weekends which makes the poster look like he is trying to fiddle his expenses.

[northernladuk]

Have a look at the search function detail in the link below. All sorts of questions have been asked about flats from bone fide situations to people that didn't have permanent homes and wanted to put their temp home through the books etc etc. Some interesting situations that might match yours. Best place is your accountant though.

http://forums.contractoruk.com/welco...uk-forums.html

[Scruff]

Logically (and I know that HMRC don't work logically) - Where are you registered for Council Tax?

My "old" accountant posed this very question to me, since it is a residency test...hence when working away, I always stay in hotels, or rent a room in someone's home.

[northernladuk]

What is with the raft of new posters not bothering to do one iota of research before asking basic questions today?

One of our sockie masters is on the bench or something?

Just in case he is real then.. Speak to your accountant... and give him all the facts and be honest. From your description we don't know if you plan on living in the flat and are trying to pull a fast one or not.

EDIT : Saying that I think our sockie masters would at least know the correct area of the forum to post this question in.

[SueEllen]

Do you go home to your house every weekend when you aren't working?

If no then you can't claim.

[TManby]

I have recently set up a Limited Company in line with the Financial Contract I work on. Being new to the world of 'self employment' I am keen to seek advice on what I am OK to claim on expenses.

I rent a flat each month around the area my contract is based. My flat is several hundred miles away from my registered business address (home). My primary home is owned by my parents however I maintain a small payment each month to them towards the house, therefore Am I able to claim the full amount of rent as expenses for the flat I live in whilst working on my current contract?