Advice

[markmcpheators]

I’m a Nurse Practitioner providing Locum cover to GP practices. Part of that involves staying overnight. I want o but a camper van to save money on hotels. Can I buy this as a business asset? I’m a sole trader registered in Scotland. Many thanks

 

[japancool]

Would you be buying solely for business use? i.e. you're not going to take it for the occasional camping holiday?

 

[Mark T Jones]

Ask the mods to move this to the accounts section

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

This is a very interesting question as the use of this vehicle is not actually with the vehicle rolling on road so you would assume that the HMRC mileage rate would be of no use .

 

[markmcpheators]

Would you be buying solely for business use? i.e. you're not going to take it for the occasional camping holiday?

Hi. Thanks for replying. It’ll be for personal use too and that involves camping too. Mark

 

[Blackford Biz]

Sounds like a grey area but if you had a private car and stayed in hotels, these would have allowances so your camper van is a hybrid of these. I assume you'll get a mileage allowance for travelling fuel expense. For the camper van here's what I'd argue. Say cost is £12000 and you use for private/vacation use 2 months every year. A three year amortization would be reasonable so take £12,000 divide it by 36 months then multiply by 6 months vacation which gives £2000 non-deductible and hence £10,000 business expense over 36 months = £277.78 per month or £3,333 per annum as a business expense.

 

[MBE2017]

I believe OP you can claim the cost incurred whilst working, so if you stay on a campsite, solely whilst on business, you will be able to claim those campsite charges and any other costs incurred in your business.

Check with your accountant to be sure. Be sure to ask about the potential costs for benefit in kind as well.

 

[DWS]

Sounds like a grey area but if you had a private car and stayed in hotels, these would have allowances so your camper van is a hybrid of these. I assume you'll get a mileage allowance for travelling fuel expense. For the camper van here's what I'd argue. Say cost is £12000 and you use for private/vacation use 2 months every year. A three year amortization would be reasonable so take £12,000 divide it by 36 months then multiply by 6 months vacation which gives £2000 non-deductible and hence £10,000 business expense over 36 months = £277.78 per month or £3,333 per annum as a business expense.

Sadly I cannot see your argument holding up with HMRC when there are rules in place to deal with this,

You can either claim simplified expenses and the mileage rate, or you can claim for all the business expenses that relate to the trip as well as WDA apportioned for private use as you normally would for a car.
No Benefits in Kind as a Sole Trader.