Is Interest on Loan Allowable Expense

Is Interest on Loan Allowable Expense?

Is interest on Loan Allowable expense? Subject to certain conditions and restrictions. Tax relief will generally be available for interest paid on loans, or overdrafts. A business in the form of a deductible expense. Different rules for loan interest relief apply to smaller businesses using HMRC’s cash basis for income tax purposes (see below). You can know if loan interest an expense from the following data;

 

Allowable Finance Costs

One of the main qualifying conditions for the deduction. Is that the interest must be pay ‘wholly’ for the purposes of the business and at a reasonable rate of interest. Tax relief is only available on interest payments. The repayment of the capital element of a loan is never tax-deductible.

Where only part of a loan satisfies the conditions for interest relief. Thus, only a proportion of the interest will be eligible. for example, interest payable in respect of, say. A car used partly for business and partly for private purposes will be apportioned. Note that tax exemption is not applicable to an employee who uses a private vehicle for their job purposes. Although tax-free business mileage payments may usually be claimed.

A deduction cannot be claimed for national interest that might have been got. If money had invested rather than spent on (for example) repairs.

A deduction will not be allowed if a loan funds a business owner’s overdrawn current/capital account.

Anti-avoidance rules exist to prevent tax relief on loan interest paid. Where the sole or main benefit to the payer from the transaction is to get a tax advantage.

 

Incidental Costs

Also the loan interest relief, the incidental costs of obtaining loan finance. Such as fees, commissions, advertising, and printing. It will also be deductible in most cases. The deduction for incidental costs given at the same time. As any other deduction in computing profits for income tax purposes.

 

Cash Basis

Eligible unincorporated small businesses may choose to use the cash basis. All unincorporated entities have the right to use those flat rate costs. Thus, when determining taxable income. when calculating taxable income.

The general rule for businesses chosen to use the cash basis & no deduction allows for the interest paid on a loan. This is, subject to a specific exception. Where the deduction for loan interest would be disallowed under this general rule. Because (and only because) it is not an expense ‘wholly and only’ for the trade, a deduction allows up to £500.

This £500 limit does not apply to payments of interest on purchases. Are loan payments an expense? Provided the purchases themselves are an allowable expense, as this is not cash borrowing. If the item purchased used for both business and non-business purposes.  Only the proportion of interest related to business usage is allowable.

If a deduction is also claimed for the incidental costs of obtaining finance. The deduction for both these expenses together is £500.

If a business has interest and finance costs of less than £500. Then there is no need to determine the difference between client expenses. Thus, And for any personal interest charges.

Businesses should review annual business interest costs. If it is expected- that these costs will be more than £500. It may be more appropriate for the business to opt-out of the cash basis. To get tax relief for all the business-related financing costs.

Let Accotax London Accountants make things easier to understand for you. We’re friendly, proactive, young, and keep up with all the latest developments in your business to make sure you’re on top of your game.

Extra note: ITTOIA 2005, s 51A, 57B, 58, 59, ITA 2007, s 809ZG; BIM45650

Request A Callback

Call Now