Can I claim for a laptop or equipment I bought for my business?

Yes, equipment like a laptop, phone or tools used for your business is generally claimed as a capital allowance rather than a day-to-day expense, and most sole traders can claim the full cost in the year of purchase through the Annual Investment Allowance, up to its current limit. If you also use the item personally, you'll need to apportion the claim to reflect business use only, similar to the approach for a car. Cash basis users often have simpler rules for this than those using traditional accounting, so it's worth checking which basis you're on or asking an accountant to make sure you're claiming correctly.