Claiming broadband as an expense

[Clippy]

I've done a search on the above and got mixed results.

Some posters seem to be claiming the cost of their broadband fully as an expense whereas others seem to suggest that only a proportion can be claimed.
Hence, wanted to canvas the board.

If you are fully expensing this cost, is this because you are, for example, a web developer and so internet access is core to your business? Also, does this mean the bill is in your Ltd's name?

If you are only expensing a proportion of the cost, is this because you would find fully expensing the cost difficult to justify because, for example, you work on a helpdesk. If so, how are you calculating the proportion to expense? Is it a simple 50% split?

[HeliCraig]

Hmmm... I fully expense mine - I can't work from home without it. Had no advice to the contrary. If they questioned me I would say that I provide myself with a PAYG 3G dongle for my personal use (which I have and pay for personally!).

That said... HMRC say

this

and the last paragraph of this

[thunderlizard]

I'd say broadband is a legitimate expense for any business these days.

I tried to tell my accountant that I should probably declare a proportion because I get masses of personal use out of it (e.g. now) but he was having none of it. Now that I see HeliCraig's links, that was probably because it was installed for business reasons (if I hadn't, I'd still be downloading SQL Server Desktop 2000 right now).

[HeliCraig]

(if I hadn't, I'd still be downloading SQL Server Desktop 2000 right now).

Crikey when would you get SSMS 2008 ??

[SueEllen]

If you are fully expensing this cost, is this because you are, for example, a web developer and so internet access is core to your business?

Yes.

Even if I'm working at a client's site there will be things that I need to look up at home.

Also, does this mean the bill is in your Ltd's name?

Yes

One of the reasons I got broadband in my Ltd company's name was that the company I originally had broadband with was taken over by Tiscali. The connection became very unreliable and because I couldn't get out of the contract for a few more months, I got a cable connection in my Ltd company's name. So at one time I had 2 broadband connections.

Plus with business broadband if there is a problem I get straight through to a customer service rep on the telephone and I haven't had a full day down yet. There as if you have ever suffered a Tiscali call centre you know you are lucky to get through to someone within 30 minutes and even then they are not likely to know what they are doing.