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Q: I’m selling food from a van and am using my parents’ kitchen to wash and prepare the produce. Do I have to pay business rates on the kitchen?

Mar 02 2009

Answered by: Clive Lewis Ask a question

It is up to the local authority to decide whether business rates are applicable. However, your question implies that the kitchen is also used for your parents’ domestic purposes, which suggests there is no liability for business rates.

The downside from this situation is that you are probably precluded from claiming any of the costs – such as electricity from your business expenses for income tax purposes. On the other hand, these expenses are probably not a great amount, so it is not likely to be a big issue.

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