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Original poster

Childminder and expenses

50 replies

monopolyfreddy · 02/11/2023 07:45

So is this situation out of order.?

A childminder can put toys etc through as expenses so they don't have to pay tax basically. Childminder A is using some receipts from their own child's Christmas presents etc on their tax returns. Is this unreasonable?

OP posts:
TheWayTheLightFalls · 02/11/2023 07:54

Probably minor fraud if not actually for the business but it's down to you to decide about whether it keeps you up at night. It wouldn't me tbh.

travelallthetime · 02/11/2023 07:55

ultimately the toys will probably end up for all the children so why not. More interestingly, why do you care?

LoudestRoar · 02/11/2023 07:55

Wouldn't bother me. Once their kid has outgrown/got bored with that toy, chances are it'll be used for their work anyway

IhearyouClemFandango · 02/11/2023 08:03

It wouldn't phase me. Why does it phase you?

margotrose · 02/11/2023 08:05

Wouldn't bother me. I expect her children end up sharing all their toys anyway.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 02/11/2023 08:10

I couldn’t care less- most childminders aren’t rolling in money. The government also treats childcare providers with contempt with how they “fund” “free” hours- so good on anyone who gets a little something back from the government.

JIGNAJAY · 02/11/2023 08:10

Can't bring myself to care about this. She's probably thinking they will end up as toys for the children she cares for anyway instead of selling them on so it makes sense to me. Weird that people get so get up about minor shite like this.

frenchcroissonts · 02/11/2023 09:17

A mother being financially savvy trying to make their kids happy? Plus as other posters pointed out - they will end up being used for other kids after. Not something to care about at all. Good for her. This government screws us up financially, I'm all for utilising the tax system to my advantage!

Londonnight · 02/11/2023 09:36

I used to do this when I was child minding. My own child at the time was similar age to my mindees, so all toys were shared. Not sure why you are so concerned? Childminders aren't rolling in money and it's hard work.

Hermittrismegistus · 02/11/2023 09:42

Why do you care?

OhDoh · 02/11/2023 09:45

Don't see the issue tbh. The kids will probs end up playing with them anyways eventually.

Coffeerum · 02/11/2023 09:45

I couldn’t get worked up about it.
The toys will probably be played with by everyone anyway.
It’s not like she’s getting the toys for free anyway.

Hercisback · 02/11/2023 09:47

Why do you care?

Childminding isn't exactly the most lucrative option. If they can get a little perk, let it go.

skgnome · 02/11/2023 09:47

Meh! Childminder’s work hard and are not exactly rolling in money
Or like she’s going to re-sell at full price or make a profit
is minor fraud? Yes
not one that would bother me

Spirallingdownwards · 02/11/2023 09:49

Hoping you are childminder A and just checking its a reasonable thing to do rather than some busybody. It just means they don't pay tax on the amount they spent not get them for free.

Universalsnail · 02/11/2023 09:51

Meh. I was a childminder. I never did this however my kids were toddlers and most of their toys ended up being played with by my mindees anyway so I think this is fine. Being a childminder is really badly paid for a lot of work for many minders who have children in the under 5s ratio so I wouldn't begrudge anyone this.

VanityDiesHard · 02/11/2023 10:06

Who cares!? This government has screwed us six ways to Sunday on VAT, COL and everything else. I'm not going to lose sleep over this very minor 'fraud'.

BodegaSushi · 02/11/2023 10:18

No it's not, HTH.

thelonemommabear · 02/11/2023 10:19

Good on her! There is worse tax fraud that goes on than this

budgiegirl · 02/11/2023 10:25

It's a tax 'fraud' that must save the childminder just a few pounds in tax, she still has to pay for the toys, and they almost certainly will end up being used by the children she minds, in which case, they are a legitimate business expense, so no, I couldn't get over excited about this at all.

Mumsgirls · 02/11/2023 10:26

What an attitude to dishonesty. Reduce your tax paid, then people wonder why services for education and health are crap. So many people condoning blatant fraud

mindutopia · 02/11/2023 10:27

People who are self employed pay for all sorts of things through their businesses. If it's the sort of thing that is likely to be used in the operation of the business, it's fair game.

Headsett · 02/11/2023 10:27

They'll invariably be played with by the mindees I expect, even if they aren't can't get worked up about this. It'd be different if they were buying loads to sell to strangers but if it's for their own children meh.

Coffeerum · 02/11/2023 10:38

Mumsgirls · 02/11/2023 10:26

What an attitude to dishonesty. Reduce your tax paid, then people wonder why services for education and health are crap. So many people condoning blatant fraud

There's nothing to suggest the toys are not played with by the children she cares for. Hardly blatant fraud in that case.

The toys she expenses for the business aren't owned by the children she childminds, her DC unwrapping them at Christmas doesn't make a difference.

UsernamePain · 02/11/2023 10:39

I wouldn’t get worked up over it.

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