Self Assessment Q: claim laundry/childcare?

[Seraphine]

Hi all

My bookkeeper has moved without any notice, and I'm completing my first Self Assessment (yes, I'm last minute!!) by myself. I will have a bookkeeper lined up for next years' taxes, but I have a few questions in case anyone's done this before. This is for my start-up (Aug 2007) to end of March 2008, so it's got training expenses/equipment/etc - I know I'm at a loss already, but I want to make sure I'm being thorough.

1) Do you claim for laundry? I have an entry for utilities included in my "office" expenses (I work mobile, but have a desk in a bedroom where I store my stuff and do my paperwork), but can I charge for laundering my towels each week? If so, how much?

2) Do any of you claim childcare costs? My bookkeeper said I couldn't, but another bookkeeper I know (a client of mine) said I should as I wouldn't be able to work my irregular hours without nighttime childcare, thereby it's a required expense. Any thoughts?

I'll do my best, and hope to God I can amend anything I inadvertently screw up!

Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks
Dawn

 

[Elaine143a]

my accountant told me off last year for NOT claiming laundry expenses. My hubby owns a launderette and does all my laundry so between us we dont bother to do invoices/paperwork. So, yes, you can claim for laundry, either at home or at launderette, but not sure how much you can claim for.

As for childcare, sorry, no idea.