Claiming expenses: employment

System
System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
edited June 18 in AAT member discussion
My client works as a joiner for a building firm. Until Oct 06 he was classed as a subbie, but is now employed by them, however he still gets paid per job, regardless of the time it takes to complete. He is provided with all materials & tools required, but he can do the job much quicker with his fancy nail gun, so this is what he uses. He now wants to know whether he can claim the cost of the nails that he has to buy to use in his nail gun as an expense.
I phoned HMRC and was told no, because he chooses to use his own nails. I suppose this means that the cost is not 'necessary' to his employment, but I just want to check here to make sure that the advice given by HMRC is correct before finlaising his return.
Thanks
jodie

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Claiming expenses: employment

    Won't the employer reimburse the expense? If not, does it say in his employment contract that he HAS supply his own equipment? Therefore being 'necessary' for his employment. :)

    Regards

    Dean
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Claiming expenses: employment

    no, the employer provides a hammer and some little nails - my client COULD use these but says it would take 5 times longer to complete, so he uses his own equipment.
    Initially I thouhgt it sounded unfair that he shouldn't be allowed any relief for it, but the more I think about it the more it makes sense.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Claiming expenses: employment

    Why does he work 5 times quicker - why not use the hammer and nails supplied and work at the speed that the employer wants?
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Claiming expenses: employment

    because he gets paid per job, not per hour. so basically the way i see it is that he needs to weigh up whether by using his own equipment he earns enough extra moeny to cover the cost of providing it.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Claiming expenses: employment

    I suppose if he gets paid per job, then it's in the worker's interest to get the job done quicker but maybe the employer would prefer him to work slower to keep his cashflow in check.
    It sounds as if the joiner needs to negotiate with his employer, or demonstrate that he is better worker if he uses his nail gun - client satisfaction, neater work, less noise, less time off with RSI or some other complaint related to hammering nails. Or maybe he could just be allowed home early if he finishes quicker - then he can go out and get some private work on a self employed basis etc etc

    How much does this guy spend on nails for his gun?

    Sheelagh

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