tax n tools

When i first started we used to get tool money, it was about a £1 a week,and the company supplied the plant, things have changed now, perhaps tappy can tell us how it works now ??

When I worked for the council, I think we got about £2:50p a week for "tool maintenance " which included buying our own hand tools and paying for saws to be sharpened etc (I used to use the local saw doctor for circular saw blade sharpening) Council supplied most power tools though. Was surprised that our department had to use up all it's budget every year. Almost every January my gaffer would approach me and ask "Do you need any power tools?" Told him one year, we could do with a cordless sds+ drill. About a fortnight later he turns up with three sets of cordless tools, 24v sds+ drills, 18v circular saws, 18v planers, 18v drill drivers and 18v impact drivers, a shit load of hand tools as well. Twas like Christmas in February.

So you have the buy & use your own tools?

Now, I'm no accountant so you must get the allowance within your salary package?

If not, I'd speak with the boss as what if all your tools got nicked? You can't work until you replace them & if you can't work you're no good to the firm

What was agreed when you started?

Tricky one that

I'm self employed but on my tax return it asks about both self employed earnings & employed earnings.

I'd speak to an accountant as if you're spending a lot, £1000 plus per year on tools then it might be worth the question.

About 12 years ago employees where contacted by a firm who would check our tax affairs for free if they managed to recoupe any monies then they would keep say 30% to cover their costs.

I thought yes, why not!

I then filled in a form about 2 pages long answering all their questions amongst them was one "Does your firm provide you with a badged uniform and it they do do you have to wash it yourself"?

This turns out was the key question and the one where they we're hoping to recoup the owed money for us/me.

A few weeks passed and I got a reply telling me that everything was in order tax wise.

However, a few more weeks passed and I received a letter from the tax man telling me that I was on the wrong tax code for a plumber!!!!
They said that they wasn't going to bill me for money I owed them but from this week they would be raising my tax code to the correct one for a plumber....

Lesson learned "let sleeping dogs lay"!

Tappy,