Tax advice.

[turbanator]

As a professional diving instructor in the UK and paying tax, can I claim back tax on things like kit, servicing, training and membership of PADI, TDI etc?

I have had 3 responses from the tax office, 'yes', 'no' and 'send us a letter'.

1 and 2 are clear cut, although contradictory, but option 3 I find a bit odd as I would have thought that I could have had answer 1 or 2 verified in principle by 'phone, then I'd could submit reciepts etc.

Anyone else been through this?

r
P

[Paul Evans]

How do you pay tax? PAYE?

[turbanator]

How do you pay tax? PAYE?

Yes.

[Paul Evans]

Argh

Are you "Empolyed" or self employed...

[turbanator]

Argh

Are you "Empolyed" or self employed...

Employed.

[Clare]

It really isn't that straightforward. Some but not all training is tax deductible if you are self employed.

[Paul Evans]

you have pm

Basically your stuffed, the padi membership you may be able to write off but I don't think they will let you write items of equipment or training off!!

Thats not to say you should'nt try

Paul

[Finless]

Paul,

To answer your question; I believe the answer to your OP question is yes (if you are self employed). If you are an employee then you should receive an allowance for personal expenditure in pursuit of your work (equivalent to getting private mileage).

You really need to speak to an accountant who should, initially give you the general answers you need as part of the opening "can we do business" discussion.

Alternatively there are pages of information of the web and a good place to start is:-

HM Revenue & Customs: Home Page

Also, I think you should phone up the HMR&C employees helpline again and explain the 3 answers you have received and ask for verification. Should you then receive an affirmative answer to your OP question then take down the call reference number and quote it in future should there be any dispute.

As you are aware I am a temporarily retired non DIR diver so you really can't trust anything I say.

[yazzyfooty]

My professional body has an agreement with Inland Revenue that we can claim back tax on our professional registration and membership and this is for both Occupational Therapist that are employed on PAYE and self employed Occupational Therapist.

As without our registration we are unable to work which I would assume is the same as an professional instructor?

[turbanator]

As without our registration we are unable to work which I would assume is the same as an professional instructor?

Yes, PADI and TDI in my case, also annual medicals are required.