As a business owner or manager in the UK, you may be wondering whether the costs of office cleaning are tax deductible. The answer is that it depends on the specific circumstances of your business and the type of cleaning services you are using.
In general, the cost of office cleaning is considered a business expense and is therefore tax deductible. This applies to both one-time cleaning services as well as ongoing cleaning contracts. However, there are some conditions that must be met in order for the costs of office cleaning to be tax deductible.
First and foremost, the office cleaning must be directly related to the business. This means that the cleaning must be performed in an area that is used exclusively for business purposes. If the cleaning is performed in a personal or mixed-use space, such as a home office, it is not tax deductible.
In addition to being directly related to the business, the cost of office cleaning must be considered reasonable. This means that the cost must be in line with the services provided and must not be excessive. It’s important to keep records of the cleaning services you use and the associated costs in order to demonstrate the reasonableness of the expenses to the tax authorities.
Another factor to consider is the type of cleaning service you are using. If you are hiring a professional cleaning company, you can usually request a quote online and the cost of their services is typically tax deductible. However, if you are using in-house staff to perform the cleaning, the cost of their time is considered part of their regular job duties and is not a separate business expense.
Some business owners may be tempted to hire cash-in-hand staff, and although this may be a little cheaper than hiring a professional cleaning company, you are unlikely to be able to claim back any part of the business expenses as you probably won’t receive an invoice. This could also lead to an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). There are also other potential issues to consider, such as insurance and vetting, aside from tax.
It’s important to note that the tax treatment of office cleaning may vary depending on the specific circumstances of your business and the type of cleaning services you are using. If you have any questions about whether the cost of office cleaning is tax deductible in your situation, it’s a good idea to consult with a tax professional or the tax authorities.
In conclusion, the cost of office cleaning is generally tax-deductible in the UK as long as it is directly related to the business, reasonable, and performed by a professional cleaning company. By keeping track of your cleaning expenses and understanding the tax rules, you can ensure that you are able to claim these expenses on your tax return.
If you’d like an office cleaning quote click here.
NOTE: We’re not financial advisers and in no way seek to mislead you with your personal circumstances. Always seek professional advice from your accountant or other tax professionals.