Billable mileage

[Pigeon]

I'm sure this is a stupid question.

I invoice my client for mileage to a secondary site. Am I permitted to claim that mileage as an expense as if it wasn't paid by the client?

[Louisa@InTouch]

Yes

Providing you are travelling in your own personal vehicle to a temporary workplace, you can claim mileage as an expense.

For a car, the HMRC rates are 45p for the first 10,000 miles and 25p thereafter in the tax year.

Even though the client is reimbursing you, this will be classed as income into your business, in the same way as your other invoices.

[sal]

What does your accountant have to say about that?

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

You claim from YourCo at HMRC rates, exempt from income tax.

You re-charge this to your client at an agreed rate (which may or may not be the same as the HMRC rate) or even a flat rate per day or whatever you both agree on. You charge VAT on top. It's just normal turnover.

The two are not affected by each other. If your client isn't billed you can still claim from YourCo. Likewise if you can't claim from YourCo for some reason (eg 24 month rule) you can still bill your client.

[Project Monkey]

What does your accountant have to say about that?

Boring.

[TheFaQQer]

Boring.

Get a more interesting accountant, then. Mine has already answered in this thread