Tax deductions are an essential way for businesses to reduce their tax liability and keep more of their hard-earned money. And if you're a business owner, you'll know that every penny counts.
Taking advantage of tax deductions on allowable expenses is one of the easiest ways to keep taxes down– claiming every allowable expense ensures a lower tax bill, which gives you access to more working capital and more cash. That’s a whole lot of extra profits available for investment, for funding growth plans or to take as dividends.
For UK businesses, there are several tax deductions you may be eligible for. Taking advantage of these deductions helps you reduce your tax liability and keep more of your hard-earned money to help your business thrive.
In this blog post, we'll explore the tax deductions that you might be missing out on, so you can keep your business running smoothly while also minimising your tax liability.
1. Office expenses, including rent, utilities and supplies
Office expenses are a significant part of running a business, and it's important to know which ones are tax-deductible. These expenses can include rent, utilities, and supplies, such as paper, pens, and ink cartridges. If you work from home, you may also be able to claim a portion of your home office expenses, such as internet and phone bills, as a deduction. Keep in mind that to qualify for these deductions, the expenses must be necessary to run your business and used exclusively for business purposes.
2. Salaries and wages
When running a business, employee salaries, wages and other compensation are a major aspect of the overall expenses. However, the good news is that these expenses are usually tax-deductible for your business, which can significantly lower your tax bill.
3. Pension contributions
If you contribute to a pension plan for your employees, you can deduct the cost. This deduction helps you manage the cost of providing benefits to your employees while also reducing your tax liability.
4. Training and education expenses
If you provide training or education to your employees for business purposes, you may be able to deduct the cost. This deduction can help you develop your team and improve your business operations while also reducing your tax liability.
5. Legal and professional costs
When it comes to legal and professional fees, you may be able to claim these as tax deductions if they are necessary for your business. These fees can include those paid to accountants or lawyers for services such as tax preparation, financial planning, or legal advice.
6. Car, van and travel expenses
If you use a car or van for business purposes, you may be able to claim tax deductions on the expenses such as fuel costs, repairs and insurance. You can also claim deductions for business travel expenses, such as airfare, lodging, and meals. This deduction can help you offset the cost of travel while also allowing you to expand your business network and explore new opportunities. Keep in mind that there are specific rules and restrictions surrounding these deductions, so we always recommend speaking to an accountant to ensure you're claiming everything correctly.
7. Charitable contributions
Donations to charitable organisations are tax-deductible, including donations made by your business. This deduction allows you to support causes that you care about while also reducing your tax liability.
8. Software and subscriptions
If you use software or subscribe to services for your business, you can deduct the cost. This deduction helps you manage the cost of technology and other services that are essential for running your business.
Want more? Read our blog post on 4 simple steps to managing your business expenses.
Streamlining your business expenses
Taking advantage of key tax deductions can save you money and help your business thrive. Be sure to keep accurate records and consult with a tax professional to ensure you're taking advantage of all possible deductions. With careful planning, management, and expense management tools, you can keep your business running smoothly whilst minimising your tax liability.
