Reply to: iPad

[TheFaQQer]

Computer? Great, then as long as any personal use is incidental there's no benefit in kind and you can buy it and use it. Happy days.

By having a USB keyboard embedded in the case for mine, I'm hoping that should make any argument even easier that it's a computer rather than anything else.

[Clare@InTouch]

Its a grey area because HMRC haven't defined the purpose of tablet devices and some accountants are more risk adverse than others.

Totally agree. The problem is deciding what tax rules it falls under.

Computer? Great, then as long as any personal use is incidental there's no benefit in kind and you can buy it and use it. Happy days.

Not a computer? Then if you use it personally you're making use of a company asset, so there's a benefit in kind. Unless you can show you don't have any personal use of it at all, which would be exceptionally difficult.

My personal feeling is that it should be classed as a computer (as it's nigh on a laptop when compared on capabilities, it's just smaller), and as long as you can prove it's wholly and exclusively for business reasons then you'd have a solid case to argue. But an HMRC Inspector may disagree, and at the moment there's no firm guidance to stop that happening.

[SueEllen]

I did not say that ...

English is a funny language isn't it.

[AtW]

His company's internet policy is that you can't look at any website unless it's work related.

I did not say that ...

[SueEllen]

I'm sorry but that's absolute bulls***. Every single contractor I know in 10+ years of contracting has surfed the net at least during lunch breaks. Are you seriously saying every one of them should have been sacked for gross misconduct?

Just be glad ATW isn't your client.

His company's internet policy is that you can't look at any website unless it's work related. Shame people could easily point out to him News including technology news sites are work related.

[TheFaQQer]

Hmmm, well, I got a couple of genuine answers before another thread descended into the usual side splitting jokes.

You want serious answers, ask in the serious sub-fora

Buy it using the company account. Use it. Argue it with HMRC if they come calling.

I have an Android tablet, and an argument prepared if need be.

[AtW]

30

[Gaz_M]

No, but that probably means your employer can fire you on a spot for gross misconduct thereby solving problem of business asset not being used 100% for business.

HTH

I'm sorry but that's absolute bulls***. Every single contractor I know in 10+ years of contracting has surfed the net at least during lunch breaks. Are you seriously saying every one of them should have been sacked for gross misconduct?

[AtW]

Even at work I stop at lunch & check BBC news & other sites. Does that mean my pc at work is not 100% solely for my job?

No, but that probably means your employer can fire you on a spot for gross misconduct thereby solving problem of business asset not being used 100% for business.

HTH

[Gaz_M]

It's pretty definitive - if you plan to get device for your personal use then don't do it through the company, but if it's 100% for business use then get it.

I guess that's my point. How can any such thing, a tablet, a pc, an iPad ever be 100% for business use? Even at work I stop at lunch & check BBC news & other sites. Does that mean my pc at work is not 100% solely for my job?

[eek]

BURN HIM!!!

If you saw the difference in price you would have done the same.

[AtW]

(app development I've outsourced to the Ukraine and as I'm responsible I'm claiming it for testing and risk mitigation purposes).

BURN HIM!!!

[eek]

Hmmm, well, I got a couple of genuine answers before another thread descended into the usual side splitting jokes.

suityou01 & eek - do you feel accountants don't really know the answer to this as I've also heard 'as long it's mainly for business use' & 'it has to be 100% business use' from two contractors who said they asked their accountants.

It seems a very grey area with no definitive answer.

Its a grey area because HMRC haven't defined the purpose of tablet devices and some accountants are more risk adverse than others. Personally I had a reason to justify the purchase (app development I've outsourced to the Ukraine and as I'm responsible I'm claiming it for testing and risk mitigation purposes).

[AtW]

It seems a very grey area with no definitive answer.

It's pretty definitive - if you plan to get device for your personal use then don't do it through the company, but if it's 100% for business use then get it.

[Gaz_M]

Hmmm, well, I got a couple of genuine answers before another thread descended into the usual side splitting jokes.

suityou01 & eek - do you feel accountants don't really know the answer to this as I've also heard 'as long it's mainly for business use' & 'it has to be 100% business use' from two contractors who said they asked their accountants.

It seems a very grey area with no definitive answer.