Claiming costs you paid before incorporation
What qualifies and how to claim - explained
Most directors pay for things personally before the company exists: software, equipment, professional fees, travel. These costs are usually recoverable once the company is up and running.
What qualifies
Costs that would have been allowable if the company had incurred them can normally be reimbursed to you and claimed for Corporation Tax. The rules treat qualifying pre-trading expenditure as incurred on the first day of trading, so nothing is lost simply because it happened early.
How to claim
Keep the receipts and give them to us at onboarding or shortly after. We can then get these caught up for you in your Xero director's loan account. The company reimburses you through your director's loan account, either as a cash repayment or as a credit you draw down later, with no tax on the repayment.
💡 Good to know: VAT on pre-registration purchases can also be reclaimed once you register: on goods bought up to four years before (if still held) and services up to six months before.
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