Is this deductable?

[eenybeeny]

Am starting a childminding business which should be up running in the new year.

Would I reasonably be able to pay for a cleaner and deduct that when it comes to tax time? I clean all the time I dont have a problem with it at all but I am planning on minding full time and it would be a help.

I don't think so, as hard to know how much cleaning is for business and how much your home.
You may be able to put through a percentage, say 20%, but be prepared that at some point it may be challenged.
You don't need reciept if under £10.

If you live in an area where a food hygiene certificate is compulsary, you can deduct the cost of a cleaner (think it's 2 hours a month but don't quote me) to clean your kitchen to the standard required.

Apparently, on checking this out, it's not only if you live in an area where a food hygiene certificate is compulsary. It can also be deducted is you have a food hygiene certificate

right - great!! so if I can deduct two hours a month that will be good. I will confirm all that at my next meeting.

Can you not employ someone who's job includes cleaning maybe? So they might prepare the meals and snacks and clean up afterwards for example. The cleaning up could include tidying up toys and hoovering around. If you can show that all their work is related to the childminding business that would be ok I think.

If not you could maybe say that a percentage of the cost is related to childminding business and the rest is 'personal'. If the cleaner was to do ironing or clean your bedroom that wouldn't be related to childminding for example. Also assuming you'll still be doing a certain amount of cleaning yourself so it's fair to say that the cleaner costs (in part at least) are related to the business.

Gilly

I am in Scotland and my accountant puts through all of my cleaning bill. HTH