Clothing

Clothing

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Client has taken a contract in an african country for 6 motnhs as an aid consultant

they want to buy a new clothing as it will be hot and their current wardrobe isnt suitable.

needless to say they want to put it through the business

we don't think its wholley possible, to want to check if there are any get arounds?

thanks in advance

Replies (18)

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By mrme89
29th Jan 2015 20:26

No.

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By LuKosro
29th Jan 2015 20:52

No

Generally, and in reference to your case, no.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM32455.htm

There are very few exceptions in allowable expenses with clothing such as PPE and specialist uniforms / clothing. 

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM32465.htm

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM32480.htm

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By SKCOX
29th Jan 2015 22:24

Mallalieu v Drummond

usually settles this kind of thing. I get this all the time from clients who have designated "work clothes" that could actually be worn for any purpose.

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By SKCOX
29th Jan 2015 22:39

A second thought

If the clothes were of a sort not normally worn in the UK I might think twice.

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Replying to DJKL:
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By LuKosro
31st Jan 2015 12:04

Hm

SKCOX wrote:

If the clothes were of a sort not normally worn in the UK I might think twice.

Don`t get it. Why would you think twice? What difference does it make?

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Replying to DJKL:
RLI
By lionofludesch
31st Jan 2015 13:00

Agree

SKCOX wrote:

If the clothes were of a sort not normally worn in the UK I might think twice.

Yep, I agree.  If they're not normally worn in the UK, there might well be a case for them being special clothing.

On the other hand - they're likely to be pretty cheap, aren't they ?  How much are we talking about ?  Too little for either HMRC or ourselves to care about ?

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By SKCOX
31st Jan 2015 12:07

Costume

Frankly we would have to be in the realm of national costume. If I were Lawrence of Arabia's accountant I might consider a deduction for his working gear.

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Replying to Paul D Utherone:
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By LuKosro
31st Jan 2015 23:21

Heh

SKCOX wrote:

Frankly we would have to be in the realm of national costume. If I were Lawrence of Arabia's accountant I might consider a deduction for his working gear.

 

31st January Joke Award :)).

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By SKCOX
31st Jan 2015 12:39

Mind you..

still not W and E is it, if he wears it when he's not organising the Arab Revolt? I concede the point. Lawrence's burnous attracts no relief. I told you I'd think twice and I have.

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By BroadheadAccountants
31st Jan 2015 14:01

Structure

Is this income still to go through a UK limited company or to be declared as self-employed here?

I was just thinking out-loud ahead of getting into the expenses debate (which seems perfectly adequately covered).

 

If I were to allow the deduction I would look for some grounds to differentiate this from normal clothing such as a health-and-safety angle for example as sun-protection when working outside, visibility on worksites etc.

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By ShirleyM
31st Jan 2015 14:19

Why would he need 'special' clothing?

It gets so hot in the UK (I know the occasions are quite rare) that people walk around half naked anyway. Why would he need to buy new clothing? He must have some clothing suitable for those hot days. If the clothing isn't suitable for business, then tough! Just about everyone has clothing that they only wear for work but no allowance unless it meets the criteria.

The only clothing I would allow is protective or safety clothing, eg. High visibility or overalls.

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RLI
By lionofludesch
31st Jan 2015 15:28

Sun Protection

Sunshine.  Can be deadly.

Ask anyone in Australia.

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Replying to Tax Dragon:
By ShirleyM
01st Feb 2015 06:35

lol

lionofludesch wrote:

Sunshine.  Can be deadly.

Ask anyone in Australia.

So, if they insist on getting a clothing allowance for ordinary clothing we should tell them to go work in Australia?

I like that idea. There's a few people I would like to send far far away. :)

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By ver1tate
01st Feb 2015 00:08

clothing

It could be allowed if the clothing had a permanently and conspicuous company logo attached.

One of my clients had this cleared by HMRC for staff working in his shop, on the grounds that no one would go to a disco or the theatre wih a shirt emblazoned  '####r's boutique'

It also seems to work for banks, spermarkets and others. 

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RLI
By lionofludesch
01st Feb 2015 09:08

Indeed

Me too.

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RLI
By lionofludesch
01st Feb 2015 09:19

Seriously

If we don't get some advice on why this clothing is so different from UK clothing, we're never going to resolve this one.

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By petersaxton
01st Feb 2015 09:37

Irrational

So many people have an irrational desire to save tax in situations where no tax can be saved.

I've had people put all their meals and clothes spending in the information they send me and are shocked when I tell them they can't get tax relief on it. They think that if they spend it it should be allowable!

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By ShirleyM
01st Feb 2015 10:05

My explanation to clients usually goes as follows:

IF the job dictates that you need safety or protective clothing then you can claim an allowance. However, they have to be of a nature that you would not normally wear during social hours. 

I then explain that I have a smart formal suit (for those very rare business occasions where a suit is needed) and even though I wouldn't be seen dead in it during social hours I still cannot get an allowance because I could wear it during social hours. I may go on to blame the people who do wear suits during social hours as they are the reason that suits have been classified as normal leisure wear. ;)

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