Cm.s question about buying cards and presents

[MUM2BLESS]

Hi just wondering what the procedure is concerning buying your mindees cards/presents for birthdays, christmas or leaving.

Not talking about big things but something that not expensive.

Can this be claimed as an expense. For example one of my little ones left recently after being with me for a year and a half. Gave her a little something.

What do you do? or what are you allowed to do concerning this?

thanks in advance

I claim for everything I buy for any mindees/parents whatever the occasion. If it wasn't for the business, I wouldn't have had those expenses! December is an expensive month for me with all the mindees Christmas presents plus 2 of them having birthdays. I'll be putting the whole lot down on my tax return!

yep, anything that you wouldn't otherwise have cause to buy

I'm shocked that childminders are allowed to put gifts on expenses

Why bubbleOseven, we wouldnt have been buying them if we weren't their childminder would we

It's just like buying any clients gifts so why shouldn't they? I'm delighted that my CM can claim back the tax given she is always so generous :)

I just thought a gift was in the same league as a tip - not that I object, I just didn't know you could do that.

probably best if we don't tell you what other 'tax breaks' we are allowed, bubble0

I might spontaneously combust!

Seriously, please tell, I have just set up as self employed myself (as an office worker though) so would be interested to know.

Interesting thanks everyone. I try to buy them at a reasonable price.

my concious is very much alive!

A tip for what, bubbleOseven? We're buying the presents for the children and some of us buy for siblings and parents, too. I also have to buy Christmas presents for all the children who attend my playgroup (which, I might add, is lucky to break even each week).
How many teachers buy presents for everyone in their class? Do nursery workers buy presents for every child in their nursery?

I can tell you that few parents buy presents for our own kids; although some of my current parents now do this.

I used to get a Christmas gift from my office job every year and know full well it went down on the books as an expense, of course it would. I know people who run their own company and a perk of working for them is maybe having massages at work every so often - it'll all go on the books. Quite normal :)

thanks

slightly different but dh is a gardener but is and he claims for the pressies he gives out at xmas - wine/chocos etc

when you are se, claim for all you can :)