Quick Answer
The Golden RuleHMRC says you can claim expenses that are incurred "wholly and exclusively" for business purposes. If something is used partly for personal and partly for business use, you can only claim the business proportion.Common Allowable ExpensesOffice costs: Stationery, ph...
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- Last Updated:
- 20 Apr 2026
- Category:
- Tax Guides
- Reading Time:
- 1 min read
The Golden Rule
HMRC says you can claim expenses that are incurred "wholly and exclusively" for business purposes. If something is used partly for personal and partly for business use, you can only claim the business proportion.
Common Allowable Expenses
- Office costs: Stationery, phone bills, software subscriptions
- Travel: Fuel, train tickets, parking (not commuting)
- Clothing: Only uniforms or protective clothing, not everyday clothes
- Marketing: Website hosting, advertising, business cards
- Professional fees: Accountant fees, legal costs, insurance
Simplified Expenses
HMRC offers flat-rate deductions for working from home (£6/week without evidence) and vehicle use (45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles).
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Just a heads-up, don't forget to keep receipts for 5 years even if you've already claimed the expense – HMRC may ask to see them.