Another tax return question to do with hours percentages

[woahthere]

I get how to do the percentages dependant on hours, but Im just wondering the best and easiest way to break it down if your hours have been quite variable. I know exactly how many hours Ive done for each week, but if I did, for example 15 hours in April, then 58 in August, so and so forth then should I actually just total my weekly hours and average it across the year, and then use that to figure out the percentages of water, gas etc. That would probably be better in terms of, when Ive done masses over 40 hours it would get accounted for and I could claim it back in real terms, but is it allowed? I hope that made sense!

No you shouldn't average it out, because it gets to the max rate at 40 hrs per week and if your average over the year is 40 hrs per week (or whatever), there would be some weeks you would be over claiming for (ie April) and potentially some you could be underclaiming for, if your annual average is less than 40 hrs per week.

That's my understanding anyway (although I have to admit to doing it by month, rather than by week, but I normally do 50 hrs per week). I find this is easier, because I invoice monthly.

so its ok by month then, because you surely cant do the percentages of each and every week when it comes to your leccy and gas and stuff. thank you.

or you could buy childsplay accounts (£15 one off fee) which calculates it all for you...

I used to do the hours by week, but because the electric and gas were standing order, I took the annual amount and divided it by 52. (Now I divide by 12). It's the hours per week that are important, because if you only do 20 hrs one week, then you can only claim half of the 40 hr allowance. In an ideal world, we are probably supposed to know our elec, gas and water usage by week, but that's just not going to happen in most cases.

have you got a ncma members handbook 2008/09. page 115

Oh, I've also just recommended Childplay accounts - the spreadsheet is GREAT!! If you want to see, her website is here