How to Claim Pre-Trading Expenses for Your Business

How to Claim Pre-Trading Expenses for Your Business
Charlotte Baroukh

Charlotte Baroukh

Tax Expert @ Pie

1 min read

Updated: 11 Jul 2024

1 min read

Updated: 11 Jul 2024

Understanding Pre-Trading Expenses

Are you a small business owner or sole trader in the UK, puzzled about how to claim pre-trading expenses? Worry not! We've got you covered with a comprehensive guide on maximising your tax benefits by claiming pre-trading expenses.

Understanding Pre-Trading Expenses in Depth

When you are setting up a new business, it's crucial to understand what pre-trading expenses are and how to claim them:

How to Claim Pre-Trading Expenses

Follow these steps to ensure you claim pre-trading expenses seamlessly:

Options for Claiming Pre-Trading Expenses

Self-Assessment Tax Return

For sole traders, pre-trading expenses can be claimed by including them as allowable expenses in the Self-Assessment tax return. This reduces your overall taxable income and potentially your tax bill.


Company Tax Return

For limited companies, pre-trading expenses can be claimed in the Company Tax Return. These can either be deducted as business expenses or treated as capital allowances depending on the nature of the expenses.


Additional Considerations:

<p><br></p><h5><strong>Keeping Accurate Records:</strong></h5><p><br></p><p>Always maintain detailed financial records to support your claim for pre trading expenses.</p>


Keeping Accurate Records:


Always maintain detailed financial records to support your claim for pre trading expenses.

<h5><strong>Consult HMRC Guidelines</strong>:</h5><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Always check the latest HMRC guidelines to ensure compliance.</p>

Consult HMRC Guidelines:



Always check the latest HMRC guidelines to ensure compliance.

<h5><strong>Consult a Professional</strong>:</h5><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>For complex pre-trading expenses, consulting a tax professional can provide clarity and accuracy.</p>

Consult a Professional:



For complex pre-trading expenses, consulting a tax professional can provide clarity and accuracy.

Expert Assistance with PIE Tax

Navigating pre-trading expenses can be complex, but with Pie tax, you have access to expert guidance to help you through the process. Our software is designed to streamline your tax reporting and ensure that you are maximising your tax benefits. Sign up today and let Pie tax make your tax process easier.

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<h3><br></h3><h3>Around <strong>50%</strong> of new UK businesses fail within the first 5 years, often due to financial mismanagement.</h3>
<h3><br></h3><h3>Around <strong>50%</strong> of new UK businesses fail within the first 5 years, often due to financial mismanagement.</h3>


Around 50% of new UK businesses fail within the first 5 years, often due to financial mismanagement.

<h4><br></h4><h3>HMRC states that over 1 million UK businesses benefit annually from tax relief on pre-trading expenses, saving significant amounts on their tax bills.</h3>
<h4><br></h4><h3>HMRC states that over 1 million UK businesses benefit annually from tax relief on pre-trading expenses, saving significant amounts on their tax bills.</h3>


HMRC states that over 1 million UK businesses benefit annually from tax relief on pre-trading expenses, saving significant amounts on their tax bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies as a pre-trading expense?

Eligible pre-trading expenses are costs incurred before you start trading but are necessary to set up the business, such as market research, equipment, and initial marketing.

How far back can you claim pre-trading expenses?

HMRC allows businesses to claim pre-trading expenses incurred up to seven years before the business starts trading.

Can personal expenses be claimed as pre-trading expenses?

No, only expenses incurred wholly and exclusively for the purpose of the business can be claimed.

How do I record pre-trading expenses?

Keep detailed records and receipts of all expenses and record them in your accounting system, noting them as pre-trading expenses.

Are training costs considered pre-trading expenses?

Yes, as long as the training is essential for the business and incurred before you start trading, it can be claimed.

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