>I happened to notice on the BASICS web site quite a lengthy section about
VAT >exemption when buying equipment for use as a BASICS doctor. Quite right
that the >organisation should help advise its members who give their time
and money to support >immediate care of critically ill and injured patients.
Mark Nettleton's need for tax advise >cannot be a unique problem - surely
some advise from his BASICS colleagues, >channelled through the organisation
would be both appropriate and professional?
>Howard Simpson
>PS I have no axe to grind. Please do not shoot me like others who have
contributed to >this tread.
Hands up! The problem with charity work, according to my accountant, is that
you are doing it voluntarily, not for money, so no tax exemption is
theoretically possible. In general practice, this is rarely a problem, as we
are tasked with 24hr responsibility and responding to emergencies has always
been part of our overall responsibility. We can claim immediately necessary
treatment fees for non RTA work. Presumably in A&E you can also fudge the
borders of responsiblity to argue pre-hosp trauma care is an essential part
of job trainng - and ultimately the A&E dept takes the fee.
One option is to send a bill to RTA victims - there's a standard BMA fee
structure for this purpose. Goes against the grain with most of us I know,
but it does get you out of the tax situation - even if not all patients pay.
Funds can always be channelled into your local BASICS scheme......
Secondly is to see whether the military will add a clause to your contract,
to make it part of your additional duties to respond for trauma calls in the
locality - thus making it an essential part of your job (can be an optional
clause) - they would probably be quite willing to do this and wouldn't have
to pay you extra. Presumably great PR for the local unit too......
Thirdly, your local A&E dept could theoretically give you a notional
contract - because they ultimately claim the fee - but again if you receive
no money this could be difficult to persuade the tax man.
Hope this helps
Jeremy
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|