If you work for yourself- as a sole trader, freelancer, landlord, or side hustler- there’s one question that pops up all the time: Can I claim that as a business expense?
Some things are obvious. Others? Not so much. Whether you’re buying tools, working from your kitchen table, or filling up the van, it helps to know what’s in, what’s out, and how to track it all properly.
What counts as a business expense?
HMRC calls the things you need to run your business day to day “allowable expenses”. When you claim them, they reduce your taxable profit. Which means you pay less tax. That’s a win.
But to count, it needs to be just for the business. Not sort-of, not “a bit for work, a bit for me.” It’s got to be clearly business-related.
What can you claim?
As long as it’s purely for work, you can usually claim it. That includes things like:
- Tools and kit – laptops, ladders, accounting software, stationery
- Home office costs – a portion of your electricity, heating, and broadband
- Travel for work – fuel, parking, train tickets, vehicle insurance
- Phone and internet – just the bit used for business
- Insurance – public liability, business insurance, or landlord cover
If you’re renting out property, you can also claim costs like letting agent fees, maintenance, and mortgage interest (depending on your setup).
So what can’t you claim?
Even if something feels work-related, HMRC doesn’t always see it that way. Here are a few no-gos:
- Everyday clothes – unless it’s safety gear or a uniform
- Client meals or coffees – even if they lead to a job
- Fines and penalties – like parking tickets or late fees
When in doubt, ask yourself: would I still buy this if I didn’t run the business? If yes, it’s probably not claimable.
Why it matters
Getting expenses right helps you pay the right amount of tax- not more than you need to, and not less than you should. It also keeps your records clean if HMRC ever comes asking.
And the good news? Buzz makes it easy.
How Buzz helps you claim with confidence
Buzz is built for sole traders, landlords, freelancers, and anyone running their own show. Here’s how we take the guesswork out of expenses:
- Snap and store receipts – just take a photo and tag it
- Automatic tracking – link your bank and we’ll sort your transactions for you
- Real-time tax view – every expense updates your estimate
- Fully digital and MTD-ready – clean records, always on hand
No spreadsheets. No guesswork. No stress. Just simple, smart accounting from £9.99 a month. Sign up today.