The 2 year rule - workaround?

[PAG]

Not that I don't believe you chris, but could any of the old timers confirm this? If I sign a 1 year extension after one year do I have to stop claiming travel expenses at that point or not?

I concur with what chris has said. I have read this serveral times in the post and have confirmed it with accountant and HMRC !!!!

[Bluebird]

I concur with what chris has said. I have read this serveral times in the post and have confirmed it with accountant and HMRC !!!!

you "could" be ok for year 2 it depends on the dates, ie

Initial Contract 1/1/06 - 31/12/06
extension for 1/1/07 - 31/12/07 is ok,

however once you get told the contract goes on after 31/12/07 then you can't claim from that point

i.e. if you get told on 31/07/07 that your contract will be extended, then you can't claim expenses from 31/07/07.

[oldtimer45]

2 year rule

I am OK with the two year boundary definition.

[I was more interested in whether it would effectively start again if I resigned from my current umbrella and started anew as an employee of another company (or even got a LTD)

Also, the company I am currently contracted to want to move me from my current location to another office 4 miles out of town - does this count as a different location or not? (still the same post town)

[Bluebird]

I am OK with the two year boundary definition.

[I was more interested in whether it would effectively start again if I resigned from my current umbrella and started anew as an employee of another company (or even got a LTD)

Also, the company I am currently contracted to want to move me from my current location to another office 4 miles out of town - does this count as a different location or not? (still the same post town)

my understanding is that changing your employer has no impact on your place of employment - it's where you work regardless of who you work for - I had a gig a while ago via an agency for 12 months, then went direct to the client for 12 months - the client wnated to extend again but it would have meant going over the 24 months.

On the second point, HMRC makes reference to things like depots and such. if you are working for the same company and they are moving you from Head Office to a another Office within the same area, the head office will still be seen as your "permanent location" so changing offices doesn't get you round this either nor would the closure of an office and relocating.

As I said this is MY understanding, suggest you check with HMRC or an accountant for a professional view.