********Calling all freelancers/self-employed - tax return help please********

[strawberry]

I'm a freelance writer and am expecting a nasty tax bill. It's the first full year I've worked what with maternity leave etc. I feel I'm missing out on some legitimate expenses but don't really know what to claim. Currently I claim phone calls, some gas/elec, postage/stationery, mileage and that's about it. What else could I claim? All help gratefully received.

Are you a child minder strawberry? I used to be so could look up for you what I claimed?

this website is huge but it is all in here somewhere

Thanks but no not childminder - I'm a writer.

PM - trying to cut through the waffle on the tax website...

I'm sure i'm in the same boat!
Um, off the top of my head, how about car insurance/recovery, car servicing? Anything that you use for work as well as home (eg any IT stuff),
Have you got a good accountant - might be worth talking to someone professional...

I am also having a look for you...so long-winded.

this is quite helpful....i think

Thanks FP - how do you work out car costs? at the moment I just put 40p per mile but I rarely use car for work. I am phoning round a few tax advisers too. Have found out can also claim % of council tax as well as gas/elec.

PM - I'm not Vat-registered as below the threshhold.

Oh, can you claim council tax (FP wanders off to add that in )
I do reasonable work mileage (which I charge to clients at 40p mile) - but for tax purposes I write down everything that is car related - ie all petrol etc and claim a percentage. can't remember (helpfully!) what percentage that is, but it works out a better deal for me that doing a per mile rate.
(I'm not VAT registered either - also too lowly paid )