Temperatures this week climbed to record highs, and though we’re enjoying the sunshine here in Blackpool, this scorcher doesn’t make the best working conditions for everyone.
If you’re not lucky enough to be sitting on a sun lounger somewhere exotic (neither are we), there are a few things we can do to make your life easier. Here are some clever ways to keep cool through the heatwave at the expense of your business.
Buy an air conditioning unit
Thanks to the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), you can claim capital allowances on larger items for your business known as ‘plants and machinery’. So good news: that air-con unit you install to combat the heat in your office could just be an allowable expense. Find out more here.
Work somewhere cool
This one’s only for the contractors outside IR35. Since your client can’t control the way you operate as long as you’re fulfilling the work you were required to undertake, this means you’re well within your power to take yourself off somewhere nice and cool. Or if you’d prefer, it also means you can grab your laptop and set up office at the beach – it’s up to you.
Stay hydrated
In this weather, you must stay hydrated. Stock up on bottled water and keep your receipts because, providing you’re at a temporary place of work, you’re entitled to travel and subsistence expenses. If you’re looking for more information, there’s plenty in our guide.
Have a summer BBQ
There’s no getting away from the heat, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. If you’re hosting a summer shindig for your employees, you can claim the cost providing it’s less than £150 per employee (including VAT) and it’s for an annual event.
Here to help
Whilst we may not be able to turn down the heat, there are things we can help you with. For more information about what you can and can’t claim, dip your toes into our expenses hub – you might be surprised just what counts as a business expense.