During the pandemic, millions of us were forced to work from home and many continue to embrace this change.
If you run your own company, you might have considered installing a garden office as a workspace – but have you thought about the tax implications?
Initial build costs
It is acceptable for the initial cost of the structure, and any other associated expenses, such as planning costs, architect fees and legal fees to be paid in full by your company.
However, these costs will not qualify for tax relief, as they will be treated as capital costs.
There are certain elements of the build which might however attract tax relief through the capital allowances regime, including:
- installation and supply of power;
- certain new fittings and fixtures etc;
- installation of heating equipment;
- thermal insulation;
- air conditioning.
A detailed inventory should be kept of all parts of the build cost to support any claims for capital allowances.
What is the VAT treatment?
If the garden office is intended for 100% business use, the VAT charged on the capital costs may be recoverable in full by your company (assuming it is VAT registered).
However, if there is an intention for an element of private use, then a proportion of the VAT should not be reclaimed.
Similarly, once the office is functionable, ongoing costs such as light, heat, redecoration and repairs may be paid for by the business, and 100% of the VAT can be reclaimed, if the office is used solely for business purposes. However, if there is some private use, the amount of VAT that could be reclaimed would need to be restricted.
It is therefore important to remember that if the garden office has any personal use, for instance as a guest room for visitors or even a place to sit at the weekend to read a book, then tax relief will be restricted.
Although many people install a garden office for the sole use of working from home, it can be extremely difficult to prove to HMRC that you do not ever intend to use the building for any personal matters.
If you intend to use the office for business only, it would be prudent to have an agreement between the company and you prohibiting any private use.
Is there a benefit? – Income tax considerations
If the garden office is to have some personal, use, there would be an annual taxable benefit in kind, which would need to be reported on the employee/director’s P11D.
If the office is to be used wholly for business purposes, there should be no such benefit in kind.
Moving house – capital gains tax considerations
Often, when you sell your home, any capital gain is exempt from CGT due to the availability of “main residence relief.”
However, where part of the house has been used solely for business purposes, such as a garden office, a proportion of the gain might then become subject to CGT as main residence relief would be restricted.
If there is some private use of the office, then main residence relief might then be due in full (although there are various conditions that need to be met for that relief to be available).
Clearly if there has been private use, this will affect the VAT and income tax treatment as detailed above.
Other considerations – business rates
Business rates may be assessed on the building if there is 100% business use – this should be checked with your relevant local authority.
If your local council decides that your garden office is subject to business rates, you may be able to reduce the cost by obtaining small company rates relief which can be used by properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or less. If the rateable value is £12,000 or less, there will be no business taxes to pay.
If there is some personal use, then business rates will not be applicable.
Get in touch
Building a garden office for business purposes, and paying for it through a limited company, may sound tempting, but it comes with its complexities.
If you would like to discuss the tax implications of installing a garden office, please get in touch with Wendy Anderson by clicking the button below.
