Massage - a claimable expense?

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I was telling someone the other day that I have a back, neck and shoulder massage sometimes to relieve the muscular tension that develops as a result of working positions and she asked if I put it through my books as a claimable allowance. I hadn't considered it. Has anyone tried this and do the tax police allow it?

 

Only my opinion. I very much doubt it. I would seek further advice from your accountant. Also if you have ongoing problems with back, neck & shoulder pain you may be better served reassessing your posture during treatments or reconsider if your working environment is able to be adjusted to provide a more ergonomic surrounding.

Kind regards,

Mandy.

 

Thanks for that Mandy. I don't have any on going problems - just knotty muscles sometimes. I don't have an accountant either.

 

Hi again Kyrret,

The lovely people at HMRC may be able to provide you with advice RE: what items are tax deductible.

Good luck & kind regards,

Mandy.

 

It is my understanding that this is a "grey area", I have been putting through a deep tissue massage to my right shoulder as an expense for two years with no problem. However a tax specialist informs me that this may no be strictly allowable. Guess you have to decide for yourself.

 

the most important question has not been asked.............

Do you get happy endings ?

 

I'd love to see my accountants face if I put a massage through the books.

Personally I play it very safe with my expenses. Too safe some might say. But last thing I need/want is to be on the HMRC radar.

 

Only a guess but for what it may be worth.

Claim for anything & everything. Your only problem will occur during investigation................

Personally, my expenses reflect the stuff my accountant tells me are a justifiable expense.

I need to sleep at night. Those tax sweeties can be scary!!!

Regards,

Mandy.

PS. Accountant fees = a deductible expense. Massage.......................?

 

There is medical massage to treat a condition (pain and dysfunction due to myriad congenital or acquired factors), along with physical therapy, chiropractic etc.

Insurers will reimburse for it as long as there is a medical need for the service, it is documented appropriately AND it is as a course of care for a condition being treated by a licensed health professional, eg. the above.

Massage therapists cannot bill health insurance so massage on its own is a luxury expense, although some HSA's will pay for it.

Now that's a happy ending wouldn't you say?

 

I asked my accountant about this - he said "no way" !!

CF

 

oops too late for this tax return, i wonder if my GP will give me a medical massage?

 

Duh, there's always one and probably male. The spelling is m.a.s.s.a.g.e but they get it confused with m.a.s.t.u.r.b.a.t.i.o.n. One day they will stop long enough to learn the difference.

If podiatrists can claim massage through their tax system, then so could more strenuous industry workers e.g. panel beaters. Next you'll want to claim your gym membership because podiatry is not physically active enough.
To claim massage, become a massage therapist and list it under the heading 'market research'. Until then, you could claim back your personal orthotics and assessment under the same heading.
Regards,
Owen.

 

Never been to Thailand I take it Owen?

Nice idea! Hmmm....maybe I could squeeze my golf club membership through the books too...

 

Hi Ian,
I suggest you stop going to Thailand if you are taking spelling lessons while you are there:bang:. You do realise that English is a second language to the Thais?
Regards,
Owen.

 

Not a fan of banter then Owen? Jeez... tough crowd.

 

Hi Ian,
Happy to banter - but it is 2011 not the 1950s, please call a prostitute a prostitute and a massage therapist a massage therapist.
We're happy to explain what a massage therapist does - better still, make an appointment and we'll show you.
Perhaps then you can compare your experiences and be able to tell the difference.

Seriously, it is always a bloke that makes the euphemistic 'happy ending' comment - women understand the difference (the thread originator has a shoulder/neck/back complaint).
Regards,
Owen and Debra
M.A.S.S.A.G.E T.H.E.R.A.P.I.S.T.S

 

Don't take life so seriously Owen, you'll never get out alive...

 

Hi Ian,
you may be correct - perhaps I do take my professional life seriously.
A holiday in a developing country may be just the ticket.
As a man of many exploits, can you suggest one? (I have been to Thailand/Asia. Maybe something closer to UK).
Regards,
Owen

 

hi folks, its not a massage but i recently had to have some varifocals made to use at work Ie to see the close work and then look at patients face and computer and then walk into waiting room and spot patient they cost about £200 and accoutant says I can set against tax as they are for work. hann

 

Ahhhhh, but if you purchased a gym membership during a fundraising dinner/ auction of an event that the business was well known to sponser and suport, then that "Donation" can be claimed. The intricities of the tax system. Fun and games.