Discussion
Can I claim for food shopping bills when I was working away from home?
I'm not sure if I can, but for some reason, I have kept my receipts from when I was working away from home. I think I kept them because I thought I could claim it back?
Cheers for any help!
Self Employed if that makes a difference!
I'm not sure if I can, but for some reason, I have kept my receipts from when I was working away from home. I think I kept them because I thought I could claim it back?
Cheers for any help!
Self Employed if that makes a difference!
Edited by s
gathore on Saturday 31st January 22:11
gathore on Saturday 31st January 22:11Was it food that you consumed during your working day, and as part of the disruption of being "out of the office" - or the fact that you needed to go to the supermarket when you got home and found the fridge was empty?
In fairness, given that you're asking the question you probably know the answer is a big fat no - but I'd revert to either your contract (unlikely) or your terms and relevant policies (equally unlikely).
If however you are employed by semi-trained monkeys and they are willing to cough, I'd say exploit it for everything you can ! What's the worst thing that can happen for having an expense claim bounced?
In fairness, given that you're asking the question you probably know the answer is a big fat no - but I'd revert to either your contract (unlikely) or your terms and relevant policies (equally unlikely).
If however you are employed by semi-trained monkeys and they are willing to cough, I'd say exploit it for everything you can ! What's the worst thing that can happen for having an expense claim bounced?
ANY expenditure (excluding "Entertaining") incurred "Wholly and exclusively for the purpose of the trade" is allowable.
If, whilst away from your normal work-base (which can be your home if you are self-employed) you have to incurr ADDITIONAL costs because you are operating away from your normal base of operation, then those costs are most definitely ALLOWABLE. These costs ibclude "Subsistence" costs which obviously includes food and drink (NOT alcohol). Therefore, as long as the food expenditure is kept to a reasonable level, the Revenue will not disallow it.
If, whilst away from your normal work-base (which can be your home if you are self-employed) you have to incurr ADDITIONAL costs because you are operating away from your normal base of operation, then those costs are most definitely ALLOWABLE. These costs ibclude "Subsistence" costs which obviously includes food and drink (NOT alcohol). Therefore, as long as the food expenditure is kept to a reasonable level, the Revenue will not disallow it.
Does the "1 pint a night" rule still apply Eric? I remember sitting down with the tax inspector many years ago and discussing salesmans expenses. I had about 12 sales guys who stayed away a lot and charged their evening meals to their expenses. This invariably (always) included booze. The tax inspector said that whilst the food was acceptable as sustenance 3 or 4 pints of bitter were not. In the end we agreed that it was acceptable for the guys to charge 1 pint of beer to their expenses and that was tax deductible but anything over that was not. This was a long time ago (maybe 15 years) so perhaps they are not so lenient now.
The tax inspector had inspected 4 of our companies and had come up with an overall figure of just over £30k that he said we owed, most of it relating to expenses and taking an average over a few years (he had inspected for 1 year and extrapolated a figure to cover 5 if I recall correctly). I offered £10k and we settled at £15k. It was all very civilised. Are such gentlemanly discussion still allowable?
The tax inspector had inspected 4 of our companies and had come up with an overall figure of just over £30k that he said we owed, most of it relating to expenses and taking an average over a few years (he had inspected for 1 year and extrapolated a figure to cover 5 if I recall correctly). I offered £10k and we settled at £15k. It was all very civilised. Are such gentlemanly discussion still allowable?
unrepentant said:
Does the "1 pint a night" rule still apply Eric? I remember sitting down with the tax inspector many years ago and discussing salesmans expenses. I had about 12 sales guys who stayed away a lot and charged their evening meals to their expenses. This invariably (always) included booze. The tax inspector said that whilst the food was acceptable as sustenance 3 or 4 pints of bitter were not. In the end we agreed that it was acceptable for the guys to charge 1 pint of beer to their expenses and that was tax deductible but anything over that was not. This was a long time ago (maybe 15 years) so perhaps they are not so lenient now.
It's been "indicated" to me that half a bottle of wine per person with a meal is OK. So based on that, 1 pint seems a bit harsh.I try hard to get receipts that just say "dinner"!
unrepentant said:
The tax inspector had inspected 4 of our companies and had come up with an overall figure of just over £30k that he said we owed, most of it relating to expenses and taking an average over a few years (he had inspected for 1 year and extrapolated a figure to cover 5 if I recall correctly). I offered £10k and we settled at £15k. It was all very civilised. Are such gentlemanly discussion still allowable?
There was quite a big case a few years ago where a high level tax inspector was coming to gentleman's agreements with people who owed a lot of tax. He was recognised as doing a great job as he was pulling in £M's in tax. Then he was caught out living the high life - funded by payments from companies for sorting them out a deal!
Edited by Deva Link on Sunday 1st February 14:07
Eric Mc said:
ANY expenditure (excluding "Entertaining") incurred "Wholly and exclusively for the purpose of the trade" is allowable.
If, whilst away from your normal work-base (which can be your home if you are self-employed) you have to incurr ADDITIONAL costs because you are operating away from your normal base of operation, then those costs are most definitely ALLOWABLE. These costs ibclude "Subsistence" costs which obviously includes food and drink (NOT alcohol). Therefore, as long as the food expenditure is kept to a reasonable level, the Revenue will not disallow it.
Thank you!! If, whilst away from your normal work-base (which can be your home if you are self-employed) you have to incurr ADDITIONAL costs because you are operating away from your normal base of operation, then those costs are most definitely ALLOWABLE. These costs ibclude "Subsistence" costs which obviously includes food and drink (NOT alcohol). Therefore, as long as the food expenditure is kept to a reasonable level, the Revenue will not disallow it.
Will have to give them a ring tomorrow I think, There are a few other things I missed out on!
Eric Mc said:
ANY expenditure (excluding "Entertaining") incurred "Wholly and exclusively for the purpose of the trade" is allowable.
If, whilst away from your normal work-base (which can be your home if you are self-employed) you have to incurr ADDITIONAL costs because you are operating away from your normal base of operation, then those costs are most definitely ALLOWABLE. These costs ibclude "Subsistence" costs which obviously includes food and drink (NOT alcohol). Therefore, as long as the food expenditure is kept to a reasonable level, the Revenue will not disallow it.
Leads on to an interesting question then.If, whilst away from your normal work-base (which can be your home if you are self-employed) you have to incurr ADDITIONAL costs because you are operating away from your normal base of operation, then those costs are most definitely ALLOWABLE. These costs ibclude "Subsistence" costs which obviously includes food and drink (NOT alcohol). Therefore, as long as the food expenditure is kept to a reasonable level, the Revenue will not disallow it.
If expenses include alcohol which the revenue will disallow as a business expense, if these expenses are charged on to a customer does this mean that the revenue is "disallowed" as well.
ALL vehicle running costs are claimable e.g. -
insurance
road tax
repairs
MOT
fuel
finance charges (HP or loan interest - not the full repayments)
etc etc.
You should also be claiming capital allowances based on the capital cost of the vehicle.
There are different rules regarding leased vehicles so you need to be careful in reclaiming lease costs.
Finally, there are further restrictions on capital allowance and lease cost claims on cars which have a capital cost exceeding £12,000.
Obviously, the cost charged to your business must be the business element only which is usually arrived at by comparing business mileage to total mileage. You state that 90% of the car useage is business related. If that is indeed the case. then 90% of the costs you have incurred in running the car are all allowable business costs.
insurance
road tax
repairs
MOT
fuel
finance charges (HP or loan interest - not the full repayments)
etc etc.
You should also be claiming capital allowances based on the capital cost of the vehicle.
There are different rules regarding leased vehicles so you need to be careful in reclaiming lease costs.
Finally, there are further restrictions on capital allowance and lease cost claims on cars which have a capital cost exceeding £12,000.
Obviously, the cost charged to your business must be the business element only which is usually arrived at by comparing business mileage to total mileage. You state that 90% of the car useage is business related. If that is indeed the case. then 90% of the costs you have incurred in running the car are all allowable business costs.
Edited by Eric Mc on Thursday 12th February 17:57
Eric Mc said:
ALL vehicle running costs are claimable e.g. -
insurance
road tax
repairs
MOT
fuel
finance charges (HP or loan interest - not the full repayments)
etc etc.
You should also be claiming capital allowances based on the capital cost of the vehicle.
There are different rules regarding leased vehicles so you need to be careful in reclaiming lease costs.
Finally, there are further restrictions on capital allowance and lease cost claims on cars which have a capital cost exceeding £12,000.
Obviously, the cost charged to your business must be the business element only which is usually arrived at by comparing business mileage to total mileage. You state that 90% of the car useage is business related. If that is indeed the case. then 90% of the costs you have incurred in running the car are all allowable business costs.
Perfect!insurance
road tax
repairs
MOT
fuel
finance charges (HP or loan interest - not the full repayments)
etc etc.
You should also be claiming capital allowances based on the capital cost of the vehicle.
There are different rules regarding leased vehicles so you need to be careful in reclaiming lease costs.
Finally, there are further restrictions on capital allowance and lease cost claims on cars which have a capital cost exceeding £12,000.
Obviously, the cost charged to your business must be the business element only which is usually arrived at by comparing business mileage to total mileage. You state that 90% of the car useage is business related. If that is indeed the case. then 90% of the costs you have incurred in running the car are all allowable business costs.
Edited by Eric Mc on Thursday 12th February 17:57
Thanks a lot!!
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