I’m a driving instructor and operate through a limited company. The Taxman wants to tax me for using my instruction car and fuel as a taxable car benefit. I don’t think that’s fair as the car is necessary for my business. Is he right?
Essentially the Taxman is correct. If you use the instruction car for even one mile of a private journey, there will be an income tax charge. It is irrelevant whether the car is necessary for your business or not. Taxi drivers who run their businesses through limited companies have the same problem. If you can show that you make absolutely no personal use of the instruction car, perhaps because you use another car for all private journeys, the Taxman may be persuaded to treat the instruction vehicle as purely business. However, he may want to see an insurance policy that prohibits private use.