CM CLUB - Oh dear, what shall I do??? Tax Return - BIG problem! :-(

[looneytune]

I am soooooo embarrassed about this but I really need some advice. I had all my receipts for childminding expenses and everything in a wallet with workings out written down and everything. As the tax return is due in a week today, I went to work on it a while back and couldn't find the receipts etc. Went into panic mode and since then, have spent each day searching places where the wallet may be (should be in my accounts tray!!!) Anyway, I'm now feeling sick with worry about it. I've not managed to find them and without them I can't do my tax return! All I can think is they've got lost in the move (moved house recently) but what on earth am I going to do????

Anyone else not got their tax return in on time for any reason?

LT

Mine will be ready mid April too - it's better on the nerves

Surely you can claim something for clothing? I'd check with HMRC.

Tell me about it Katymac, been in a right state about this. Going to kill dh if it ends up being his fault they are missing (which it will as he was very careful with his stuff after the move but just chucked my stuff all over! )

I'm pretty sure someone checked and we couldn't claim for clothing. Suppose they'd say it my fault for wearing jeans and that I should live in tatty clothes!

Clothing is def a no-no unless it is logo'd apparently- this is due to them being "ordinary" clothing

Message withdrawn

Ring the your local Tax office to check - but I think so

Dont forget to subtract any entrances to playgroups/soft play etc for any outings you went on, Travel to them - milage or bus fares, things like wipes/nappies etc if you supply them. any receipts for new toys you have bought or any equipment. Any extra carpet cleaning etc.
If you add in these to your calculation it will be a bit lower and should be below the limits.

You know thats not fair about clothing because as a nurse I can claim tax relef on shoes , tights. Surely as childminder we must be able to. Ive been cmding since Nov and have spent so much time on my knees Ive put hole in my nice jeans. What about handcream. My hands were so sore last week. Or am I just being picky?

I don't think you're being picky, didn't think about hand cream - get through loads of that due to constant washing of hands!

I get through loads of handcream too... Do you mind if I hijack a minute Looneytune?

Does anyone else get a cleaner in? Is this something we can ofset against Tax? say if cleaner comes in twice a week after mindees have gone, does all the things I don't have time to do like clean/sort out the craft boxes, and all toy boxes, maybe irons the minded childrens bedding, hoovers around rooms I use for minding etc. what do you think and would I have to provide receipts for this?

Message withdrawn

i aggree with you about clothing, but its because the clothing is not purely for childminding - ie not a special uniform you have to wear -after all you couldn't childmind naked. Don't ask me how the taxman invented these rules.

I've seen discussion of cleaners before and if I remember correctly they can be charged - or a proportion of them at least

Yes but for nursing I cant claim for uniform but can for shoes and tights and they are not special clothing?

would be intersted to know about a cleaner as i have another thread asking how to get one and next question was how i sort out tax for it?