UK business expense deductibility checker
Find out whether a business cost is likely tax-deductible for sole traders, freelancers, contractors, or limited companies. Practical indication only — confirm with your accountant before filing.
Is a business expense tax-deductible in the UK?
An expense is deductible if it is incurred “wholly and exclusively” for the purposes of the trade (the HMRC test for sole traders) or, for limited companies, exclusively for business purposes and not specifically blocked. Common allowable categories include rent, utilities, software, professional fees, business travel, mileage at HMRC’s approved rates (45p/mile for the first 10,000 business miles), and employer pension contributions. Common disallowables include client entertaining, fines and penalties, ordinary commuting, and a strict pro-rated split for home-office costs. The checker below screens common categories — always confirm against gov.uk and your accountant before filing.
Business Type
Expense Category
Expense Details
Context Questions
These questions help refine the guidance for your selected category.
Assessment Result
Home office costs with mixed personal use may be partly allowable.
Amount Under Review
£1,200.00
Business portion: £480.00 (40%)
Explanation
Where household costs have both a personal and business element, an apportionment based on business use is usually needed.
Practical Next Step
Calculate the business-use proportion (e.g. by room, by time) and keep a record of how you worked it out.
Related Guidance
Common apportionment methods include proportion of rooms used or hours worked from home.
Disclaimer: This checker provides general guidance only and does not constitute tax advice. Results are based on the information entered and may vary depending on your specific circumstances, business structure, and applicable tax rules.
Want a second opinion before you claim it?
Expense claims often look simple until private use, apportionment, VAT, or business structure changes the answer. RR Accountants helps businesses claim correctly, stay compliant, and avoid messy surprises later.
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What this checker helps you understand
Business vs Personal Use
See when private use changes whether an expense can be claimed.
Partial Deductibility
Understand when apportionment may be needed rather than treating the whole cost the same way.
Recordkeeping Context
Know when receipts, invoices, and notes matter.
Review Before You Claim
Use the result as a practical guide before including the cost in your accounts or return.
This tool is designed to provide practical guidance only. For tailored advice on expenses, bookkeeping, self-assessment, corporation tax, or VAT, speak with RR Accountants.
Frequently Asked Questions
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