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It’s the number one question that all accountants get asked each year – what expenses can I claim in my tax return?
 
The general rule is that for an expense to be allowable it must be directly related to the running of the business. For example:
 

What expenses can be claimed:

 
  • Any goods that you buy for resale
  • Employees' pay
  • Rent and bills for your business premises
  • Running costs for vehicles or machines that you use in your business
  • Lease payments for vehicles or machines that you use in your business
  • Accountancy fees
  • Interest payments for money you borrowed to finance your business
  • Expenses you had before your business started trading such as the cost of preparing business plans
 

What expenses cannot be claimed:

 
  • Personal mileage expenses
  • Food expenses – in the case of an employee on a business trip whereby they are forced to eat out or incur food costs that would not be normal, an allowance may be given to cover these costs
  • Clothing costs (except protective clothing)
  • Accommodation – the cost of accommodation is not allowable. Hotel accommodation incurred on a business trip (where there is no personal motive in the trip) is an allowable deduction
  • Client entertainment
  • Capital expenditure – e.g. purchase of equipment. You may be able to claim capital allowances on this expenditure
 

Expenses that are for both business and private use

 
If you spend money on something that is for both business and private use, you can claim a deduction for part of the expense. This would include items such as phone bills, motor expenses and rent. You must work out how much of the expenditure was for business purposes and claim a deduction for that amount only.
 
 

Tax Credits

 
Tax Credits reduce the amount of tax that you have to pay and the credits to which you are entitled are dependent upon your personal circumstances.
 
Every year, thousands of Euro are left unclaimed by people who are just not aware of the additional tax reliefs that they could be claiming.
 
For example, if you are married and your spouse stays at home to mind a child then you could claim the Home Carer Tax Credit potentially saving you €1,600 in the 2022 tax return.
 

 

We can help

 
At TaxAssist Accountants we have worked with thousands of individuals across Ireland on their tax returns. By giving you a fixed, competitive price, we can take the worry away when it comes to self-assessment tax returns and can help you with claiming expenses and tax credits. If you need assistance filing your income tax return (Form 11 or Form 12) you can call us on 1800 98 76 09 or submit an enquiry online to book your free initial consultation.

 

Book your FREE Initial Consultation

 

 

Date published 30 Sep 2020 | Last updated 14 Sep 2023

This article is intended to inform rather than advise and is based on legislation and practice at the time. Taxpayer’s circumstances do vary and if you feel that the information provided is beneficial it is important that you contact us before implementation. If you take, or do not take action as a result of reading this article, before receiving our written endorsement, we will accept no responsibility for any financial loss incurred.

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