Expense queries for Ltd company (no accountant)

[vwdan]

Rented Accommodation and Subsistence as an Expense - Contractor Weekly

Hmm, feels like an opinion piece balancing hugely on the side of caution. Which is fair enough, but if I was a permie and my company sent me to a flat I'm not suddenly going to start covering all my own food costs just because there's a cooker.

To be honest, after a second read through, I find the article pretty poor overall.

Generally I advise that you aren’t able to put lunches, drinks and restaurant expenses through the company at your usual client site. HMRC would assume that you would be paying for this sort of expense if you were at work or not and therefore they aren’t wholly and exclusively for business purposes.

What's this "usual client site" m'larky about?

[northernladuk]

Dunno TBH. I always thought it meant you shouldn't put your Tesco shop through when you buy stuff you make yourself I. E. Bread and filling for sarnies. Etc.

[vwdan]

Dunno TBH. I always thought it meant you shouldn't put your Tesco shop through when you buy stuff you make yourself I. E. Bread and filling for sarnies. Etc.

It's an interesting one - this is my first contract where I've gone the 'rental' route (It's not really rental as it's an AirBnB job, Mon - Fri only, all inclusive cost, no contract) and have had a kitchen. I'm putting the lot through, frankly, as I would do if I was a permie.

I can't find anything in the rules that demonstrates a difference in the type of sustenance, where it's from or how it's made.

The only thing I do that I wouldn't/couldn't as a permie is claim lunch (I'm ****ed if I'm having packed lunches as a contractor) and the odd coffee - but that's just because MyCo has more generous policies

[northernladuk]

But if you are buying food for yourself from the supermarket at home and you are buying food for yourself away then it's going to be difficult to argue that its wholly and exclusively.

Mentions it here as well
http://www.contractoruk.com/expenses...llowances.html

[vwdan]

But if you are buying food for yourself from the supermarket at home and you are buying food for yourself away then it's going to be difficult to argue that its wholly and exclusively.

Why? Does that mean if I eat out every Wednesday at home then I can't claim when I eat out on a Wednesday while away? Or if I normally skip lunch, that means I can't claim?

I'm not trying to be combative, but I've just searched (again) and while I can find a single mention on an accountancy website that says you can't claim "ingredients" (Do ready meals count?) I can't find any actual technical guidance or citations for any of this.

[northernladuk]

Up to you. I wouldn't claim ingredients. It's the same cost as if I were at home
I have to eat to live so not a business expense to me but that's my opinion. Fill your boots if you want to.

If they start looking through my receipts they might find all ones for the coke and hookers I entertain myself with to pass the long lonely hours.

Get confirmation it's OK from your accountant in a mail and store it as evidence and your golden.

[SueEllen]

Do what? I've never heard of this.

I posted links to HMRC booklets about employee expenses which also includes director expenses. Somewhere in those booklets it says the same as what NLUK just quoted.

In short if you can make a meal in your rented or hotel accommodation you cannot claim other food expenses except a meal if you are traveling.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Rented Accommodation and Subsistence as an Expense - Contractor Weekly

Terrible article. If you're at a temporary workplace then any meals purchased whilst travelling or while on site are claimable.

[pr1]

Terrible article. If you're at a temporary workplace then any meals purchased whilst travelling or while on site are claimable.

are you counting "travelling" as anything between your permanent workplace (home) and the temporary workplace (client site)

i.e. you could live somewhere in the middle (rented flat), completely tax free for all meals and travel, for up to 2 years?

[northernladuk]

Terrible article. If you're at a temporary workplace then any meals purchased whilst travelling or while on site are claimable.

He's not talking about meals. He's talking about ingredients.