Another question on claiming mileage

[Ashwin2007]

I live in south and travel to north (where I am contracting now) every week, so far by public transport. I have been preserving train tickets and claiming expenses for the train/taxi.

(1) Can I change the mode of travel in the middle of contract, and start using car to claim mileage?

(2) Is there a limit on the number of miles (overall per year) that can be claimed, considering that during part of the contract period, I have been using public transport?

(3) Is there any limitation that one should use public transport (train / flight etc.,) when the distance travelled is large (say >300 miles) each way?

(4) Going by the previous discussions in this forum, one doesn't have to necessarily travel by car to claim mileage, as long as petrol receipts and travel logs are kept. Is this position still valid?

[mudskipper]

I live in south and travel to north (where I am contracting now) every week, so far by public transport. I have been preserving train tickets and claiming expenses for the train/taxi.

(1) Can I change the mode of travel in the middle of contract, and start using car to claim mileage?

(2) Is there a limit on the number of miles (overall per year) that can be claimed, considering that during part of the contract period, I have been using public transport?

(3) Is there any limitation that one should use public transport (train / flight etc.,) when the distance travelled is large (say >300 miles) each way?

(4) Going by the previous discussions in this forum, one doesn't have to necessarily travel by car to claim mileage, as long as petrol receipts and travel logs are kept. Is this position still valid?

Subject to the 24 month rule

(1) Yes
(2) You can claim 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles, then 25p > 10,000
(3) No
(4) This has been discussed and some people do claim this. However, IMO, you should claim for your actual mode of travel. Some posters will disagree.

[TheCoconutDog]

Subject to the 24 month ruke

(1) Yes
(2) You can claim 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles, then 25p > 10,000
(3) No
(4) This has been discussed and some people do claim this. However, IMO, you should claim for your actual mode of travel. Some posters will disagree.

I would qualify (1) Yes to be "(1) Yes, provided you have a note from your parent or guardian saying it is OK"

[TykeMerc]

The answer to 4. is entirely dependant on how you feel about committing criminal Tax Evasion and possibly Fraud.

I can't think of an excuse to defend it and I've no sympathy for anyone caught doing it.

[mudskipper]

The answer to 4. is entirely dependant on how you feel about committing criminal Tax Evasion and possibly Fraud.

I can't think of an excuse to defend it and I've no sympathy for anyone caught doing it.

One poster claimed to have phoned HMRC and been told it was fine. Not a risk I'd want to take.

http://forums.contractoruk.com/busin...ml#post2013833

[TykeMerc]

One poster claimed to have phoned HMRC and been told it was fine. Not a risk I'd want to take.

http://forums.contractoruk.com/busin...ml#post2013833

I don't believe it and I'd be willing to bet that isn't an official HMRC line, just one persons view.
There's absolutely no point giving HMRC an excuse to have a go, it just means they're more likely to dig aggressively for any other "mistakes".

[mudskipper]

I don't believe it and I'd be willing to bet that isn't an official HMRC line, just one persons view.
There's absolutely no point giving HMRC an excuse to have a go, it just means they're more likely to dig aggressively for any other "mistakes".

I agree.

[northernladuk]

I just can't understand why people can't apply a bit of common sense any more. Can I change mode of transport in middle of a contract? Jesus wept.

[mudskipper]

Reading between the lines, I think the real question was:

Can I claim mileage and carry on travelling on the train?

[northernladuk]

Reading between the lines, I think the real question was:

Can I claim mileage and carry on travelling on the train?

Indeed but that's hardly an intelligent question either...