Travel Expense

[pmeswani]

Hi,

I'm sure this is a silly question, and I have tried to search on the forum, HMRC and the internet, but could only find references to the 40% and 24-month rule. (Sadly, I am using the wrong search terms).

Does anyone have any info that states what distance is acceptable between home and client before a travel is considered claimable?

I appreciate that there is a case of common sense that needs to be taken on board here (i.e. not claiming travel cost for commuting for something that is walkable - e.g. 1 mile).

Any pointers would be much appreciated.

[malvolio]

Why not? If it costs you something and you are only doing it for business purposes, it's claimable. There's no law of de minimis involved.

[Sally BFCA]

Hmmm

Strange, I saw this only last week on HMRC website, now the page has gone.

I think, and this needs clarifying, that it is 7 miles. I will post a link if I can find it.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

I agree with Mal on this one - if you have incurred a cost that is directly and wholly atributable to the contract then it should be claimable as an expense

[pmeswani]

I agree with Mal on this one - if you have incurred a cost that is directly and wholly atributable to the contract then it should be claimable as an expense

This is what I thought would be the case.

I am sure I saw somewhere (but cannot find the info) that there was something about "reasonable expense", hence the question. I tend to buy Weekly / Monthly travelcards to keep the overall cost down (even though it can be argued that I could use it for personal travel, but wouldn't have bought it if I weren't travelling to clientco for 5 of the 7 days).

The place of contract is about 5 miles (door to door and based on Google Maps), and want to make sure that I don't fall foul of HMRC if I put the receipts through expenses.

[malvolio]

This is what I thought would be the case.

I am sure I saw somewhere (but cannot find the info) that there was something about "reasonable expense", hence the question. I tend to buy Weekly / Monthly travelcards to keep the overall cost down (even though it can be argued that I could use it for personal travel, but wouldn't have bought it if I weren't travelling to clientco for 5 of the 7 days).

The place of contract is about 5 miles (door to door and based on Google Maps), and want to make sure that I don't fall foul of HMRC if I put the receipts through expenses.

You won't if you have a travel card for business use and a separate one for personal use. Otherwise you fail the "wholly and exclusively" test.

[pmeswani]

You won't if you have a travel card for business use and a separate one for personal use. Otherwise you fail the "wholly and exclusively" test.

Fair point. Looks like I will need to get another Oyster card in that case. No major loss. I will claim the travel expenses and if I get caught (or someone can provide info that says I can't), then I will pay the money back to the business.

[FiveTimes]

Hmmm

Strange, I saw this only last week on HMRC website, now the page has gone.

I think, and this needs clarifying, that it is 7 miles. I will post a link if I can find it.

So I travel 142 miles from home to clientco - fine.

However I have lodgings that are 2 miles from site as I want to stop close by in order to get in early, work late.

Am I not able to claim the 4 mile round trip ?

[malvolio]

So I travel 142 miles from home to clientco - fine.

However I have lodgings that are 2 miles from site as I want to stop close by in order to get in early, work late.

Am I not able to claim the 4 mile round trip ?

Don't see why not. I do.

[pmeswani]

So I travel 142 miles from home to clientco - fine.

However I have lodgings that are 2 miles from site as I want to stop close by in order to get in early, work late.

Am I not able to claim the 4 mile round trip ?

Depends on whether your lodgings is your primary / registered address. If I were in your situation (assuming I understood how you defined lodgings), then yes I would claim. But as my home is my primary starting point, in this scenario, I am uncertain if the travel is claimable (which is what I am seeking to clarify).

I have a feeling that yours and Mal's post has answered my question, but would love to get some clarification though.