Appropriate for being a sole trader ?

[markire]

Sorry to be starting another sole trader thread on here folks.

I run a site which incurs costs, hosting, graphics, some development, software costs etc...

I'm not registered as a sole trader and have a regular paye job.

I was wondering if as a sole trader:
1) I should be able to claim any costs incurred by the site against paye. I assume so.
2) Can I claim back on equipment used for the site, PCs etc...

Also, if registered as a sole trader, I'd prefer not to use my own name, so i assume I'd be registering a business name also. With that how can I find out if the business name is in use or not ?

thanks for your help
much appreciated.

 

[Joe1234]

i assume I'd be registering a business name also. With that how can I find out if the business name is in use or not ?

You can go to www.cro.ie and search for a business name. AFAIK if a business name is already in use, you may still be able to register it.

 

[Graham_07]

You can go to www.cro.ie and search for a business name. AFAIK if a business name is already in use, you may still be able to register it.

Joe is correct, registration of a business name is merely a requirement under the 1963 Reg of Business Names Act and applies where one is trading under a name other than ones own name. It does not protect names from duplication. Business names can be registered online at the CRO or via paper returns downloadable from the CRO.

 

[Graham_07]

Allowable costs are not claimable directly against PAYE but instead are firslty set against any income from the self-employment. If a loss occurs then that loss may be set against other income (incl PAYE) of the same year or carried forward to set against future profits from the self-employment.

Some costs are allowable immediately against income of the year, such as travel, stationery etc. but others for capital equipment such as cameras which would have a longer life are allowed by Revenue at 12.5%p.a.