Subsistence claim for lunch

**Nixon Williams** · 22 November 2006, 16:19

Originally posted by decode

I have been working through my own limited co for the past seven months and have been getting receipts for my lunch and claiming this back as a susbsistence expense. I've now been told by my accountant that I shouldn't really be doing this. Can anyone clarify if this is the case?

I would tend to agree with your accountant. Even if you were working away and staying in a B&B you could claim for breakfast and an evening meal but lunch would be pushing it.

Alan

**VectraMan** · 22 November 2006, 19:24

Originally posted by Nixon Williams

I would tend to agree with your accountant. Even if you were working away and staying in a B&B you could claim for breakfast and an evening meal but lunch would be pushing it.

I've never bothered myself, but I understood substinence covered lunch?

**Gonzo** · 22 November 2006, 23:08

Originally posted by decode

I have been working through my own limited co for the past seven months and have been getting receipts for my lunch and claiming this back as a susbsistence expense. I've now been told by my accountant that I shouldn't really be doing this. Can anyone clarify if this is the case?

You were probably a permie once (so was I) and in those days did your permie employer let you put in expense claims for your lunch? No, neither did mine. So if you have to stay away and pay for a hotel/restaurant meal then you can claim those, but if you are just on site during the day then I don't think you can expense your lunch.

**ASB** · 23 November 2006, 09:21

Originally posted by Gonzo

You were probably a permie once (so was I) and in those days did your permie employer let you put in expense claims for your lunch? No, neither did mine. So if you have to stay away and pay for a hotel/restaurant meal then you can claim those, but if you are just on site during the day then I don't think you can expense your lunch.

But a different view might be when sent away from normal place then employer will stand lunch. Since the client site is not a normal place of work then it becomes claimable.

I have generally claimed and got through investigation, however as Alan said it is thin ice.

**gravesendboy** · 23 November 2006, 09:37

Subsistence

My expenses have been checked by the Revenue and they did'nt have any problem in me claiming lunch when I was working away from home
He was an extremely helpful chap and when I queried how some of these umbrella companies can get away 'murder' , he calmy said that 'their turn would come shortly!!
In particular I queried how these umbrella companies were offering tax breaks for contractors who were away from their home for more than 10 hours being able to claim up to £30 a day ( obviously no receipts) , the inspector calmly said 'they should'nt be'.. no such allowances would be given

**spoons** · 23 November 2006, 09:37

Originally posted by ASB

But a different view might be when sent away from normal place then employer will stand lunch. Since the client site is not a normal place of work then it becomes claimable.

I have generally claimed and got through investigation, however as Alan said it is thin ice.

Long time lurker, first post

My accountant suggested that as you would have lunch anyway it is a bit dubious to claim it as being necessary as part of your work for the client.

**Nixon Williams** · 23 November 2006, 09:44

Originally posted by VectraMan

I've never bothered myself, but I understood substinence covered lunch?

The subsistence allowance of £5/day (£10/day if overseas) is for minor incidentals, such as papers, laundry etc, however what you spend it on is your choice.

Alan

**malvolio** · 23 November 2006, 10:25

Originally posted by spoons

Long time lurker, first post

My accountant suggested that as you would have lunch anyway it is a bit dubious to claim it as being necessary as part of your work for the client.

The advantage of being a team leader - while I never bother claiming for my usual sarnies at the desk, every week or so I would take the team out for a briefing away from the office and naturally lunch would be provided...

**Nixon Williams** · 23 November 2006, 11:03

Originally posted by malvolio

The advantage of being a team leader - while I never bother claiming for my usual sarnies at the desk, every week or so I would take the team out for a briefing away from the office and naturally lunch would be provided...

This sounds like entertaining, whilst the company can pay for this, the company does not get tax relief on the cost.

Alan

Subsistence claim for lunch