overseas expenses - any extras i can claim for?

[diesel]

off for a few weeks with client overseas. client customer pays for cattle class seats and hote, meals and local transport at destination.
i claim expenses on return via agency.

is there anything else extra i can claim for via my own LTD Co ??

thinking can i claim for
-Comfort class seats upgrade (£120 each way extra for long haul)
-special winter clothes as cold required for the trip?
- sweets for flight?
-laptop bag claimed for via own LTD

can i claim any extra incidental costs?

[Craig@Clarity]

Any costs incurred personally on behalf of your limited company is one side of things. Recharging expenses from your client is another. A laptop bag for your company laptop is allowed as well as an upgrade on a flight. Whether you're able to recharge this to your end client is another story. Unfortunately, I would have to say that extra clothing is not a business expense. Hotel, meals and travel are all allowable. I would suggest keeping all receipts and claiming the actual costs incurred.

Another thing to think about is the business portion of travel insurance. If you have taken separate insurance specifically to cover your trip then this is easy enough to work out and claim.

[diesel]

Any costs incurred personally on behalf of your limited company is one side of things. Recharging expenses from your client is another. A laptop bag for your company laptop is allowed as well as an upgrade on a flight. Whether you're able to recharge this to your end client is another story. Unfortunately, I would have to say that extra clothing is not a business expense. Hotel, meals and travel are all allowable. I would suggest keeping all receipts and claiming the actual costs incurred.

Another thing to think about is the business portion of travel insurance. If you have taken separate insurance specifically to cover your trip then this is easy enough to work out and claim.

Craig,
thanks for the tip.
clothing is an outdoor coat as i am travelling for work and need coat for visiting client site. Cant i claim for this from my own LTD co?

Travel insurance - client has a business policy which covers all personnel on client business. i have checked this with my cient management and they ensure me i am covered for client business. Other contractors travel under this and not know any other contractor who has purchased their own. Dont see this as a benefit just client provision for all on company business.

Yup already will expense client for meals, hotel etc. Unfortunately they dont pay for the comfort seat upgrade (its a long haul trip) i will need to fork out £120x2 myself..ouch!

i have a done a few overseas trip for this client, but this is my first long haul of longer duration coming up. Will need a new suitacase after this trip surely that can be expensed from LTD co?

[Craig@Clarity]

Craig,
thanks for the tip.
clothing is an outdoor coat as i am travelling for work and need coat for visiting client site. Cant i claim for this from my own LTD co?

You can. You'll be looking at either a benefit in kind or the cost analysed as a directors loan expense. Cleanest way is to keep this private. A coat is personal preference and not wholly, exclusively and necessary for the purpose of the business, I'm afraid. Same principle as business suits, shoes etc.

i have a done a few overseas trip for this client, but this is my first long haul of longer duration coming up. Will need a new suitacase after this trip surely that can be expensed from LTD co?

Again, you can but see above reply.

[d000hg]

- sweets for flight?

Seriously?

[northernladuk]

Just because you are going oversea's it makes little difference. The expense policy is the same, wholly and exclusively for business use. Clothes are a definate no no, even if it is an emergency workshirt. I had to buy one abroad due to something breaking in my bag and ruining mine and that can't be considered either.

You can claim for the charge for the currency change. It is small I know but if you are working at the level of reclaiming sweets for the flight you might be interested.

Suitcase is also not allowed. You will use it again for personal use so not a business expense.

I would also be nervous about the business insurance, these are often restricted to employees on business not third parties. It is possible it is but a) I wouldn't trust it and b) can't be good for IR35 using client insurances. Permies do that.

Check your credit card and how they charge for overseas transactions, some put it in the total, others do the actual conversion and then a charge underneath. Make sure you put the total in including charge, some people claim the currency conversion on the day and forget the credit card charges.

[Fred Bloggs]

I'm sceptical about the client co providing trluy comprehensive travel cover. Get it in writing exctly what the cover is and more importantly, in writing how to claim if you need, for example, emergency open heart surgery that could cost hundreds of thousands in many parts of the world. I have always taken out my own business travel policy and agreed with client co that they would refund the cost.

[diesel]

I'm sceptical about the client co providing trluy comprehensive travel cover. Get it in writing exctly what the cover is and more importantly, in writing how to claim if you need, for example, emergency open heart surgery that could cost hundreds of thousands in many parts of the world. I have always taken out my own business travel policy and agreed with client co that they would refund the cost.

Thanks for tips guys.
looks like i was trying to claim more than possible....hey i am just being business minded to keep my corp tax low as possible within tax laws.

there was once a contractor here who used to claim everything thro his company. he bought new clothes, a new watch, medication, soaps, shampoo etc and put it all thro his company as he was going for a 1mth overseas assignment. Dunno how he got away with it via his accountant.

insurance - yes checked with client and all covered under their T&C, although limited on personal belongings value to £2,500. All other contractors use the client business policy.

[d000hg]

there was once a contractor here who used to claim everything thro his company. he bought new clothes, a new watch, medication, soaps, shampoo etc and put it all thro his company as he was going for a 1mth overseas assignment. Dunno how he got away with it via his accountant.

He got away with it because the accountant can only advise, or was useless, or he didn't itemise them in detail. Definitely not correct.

[ASB]

off for a few weeks with client overseas. client customer pays for cattle class seats and hote, meals and local transport at destination.
i claim expenses on return via agency.

is there anything else extra i can claim for via my own LTD Co ??

thinking can i claim for
-Comfort class seats upgrade (£120 each way extra for long haul)
-special winter clothes as cold required for the trip?
- sweets for flight?
-laptop bag claimed for via own LTD

can i claim any extra incidental costs?

Did anybody mention the £10 PIE?

Also, it can sometimes be advantageous to claim the agreed scale rates. Depends on where you are going, if there is a scale rate and the type of accommodation you use.

Employment income: scale rate expenses payments: accommodation and subsistence payments to employees travelling outside the UK