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Q: I work from a home clinic and moved house recently. Are survey fees, estate agent's, solicitor's fees and stamp duty tax deductible?

Mar 04 2008

Answered by: Clive Lewis Ask a question

To be allowable as a deductible expense against your business taxable profits the particular item must “wholly and exclusively incurred” for the purpose of the business. So was the move wholly and exclusively for business reasons? It is doubtful that the test will be passed.

If you sell the property at some future point HMRC might take the view that the area used as a business premises should be disallowed from the exemption for the main domestic residence for capital gains tax, with the result that part of any gain on the sale of the house is subject to Capital Gains Tax.

The best place to look for further details is the Inland Revenue’s Notes on Self Employment, which can be located at here.

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