Daily Subsistence Claim

[KAYN]

Hi, I am new to contracting and have been looking at different Umbrella companies.

Some offer different levels of claim for daily subsistence eg working over 10 hours a day, where some offer none at all and state that the Inland Revenue do not allow for this claim.

I just seem to be going round in circles trying to find out if I am actually allowed this expense or not.

Can anyone please advise. Thanks..

[Davros]

I just seem to be going round in circles trying to find out if I am actually allowed this expense or not.

Only if you have spent it and can prove it when challenged. Simple as that.

[BillHicksRIP]

Davros is correct. And don't fall for the BS the likes of Prosperity4 will spin to you.

[Hex]

While it is indeed correct that you should only claim expenses that you have actually spent and that you can prove, that does not answer what is allowable as an expense for daily subsistence. I have also been trying to ascertain exactly what is allowable.

[malvolio]

What is allowable is what your umbrella decides to let you have. You work for them, you've signed a contract with them, you follow their rules. Ask them and accept whatever it is they tell you.

If you have your own company (a real one, not a shared managed thingy), it is up to you what you pay for subsistence, but the taxman will only allow a certain amount off your corporation tax and the rest will be treated as a personal BIK, on which you pay personal tax.

So there isn't an answer. Well, to be precise, you can get an answer on the allowable tax figure, but I'm not wading through 6Tb of HMRC website to find it.

[ASB]

Only if you have spent it and can prove it when challenged. Simple as that.

Absolultely, except there is one unreceipted and potentially unspent claim that can be made. It is the incidental overnight expenses allowance. Up to £5 UK £10 abroad.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/employers/ebi...idental-01.htm

Round sum subsistance etc is taxable.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM10150.htm

[VectraMan]

Parasol say £5 per day, or £15 if your work+travelling for over 10 hours. I nearly fell into the trap of thinking you could just claim this, but you do need to have spent it and get receipts. I didn't bother cos getting receipts for a sandwich is a bit of a pain.

[whyme]

I was a permie consultant with a decent-sized IT firm, who allow £5 per day lunch expenses and per diem of £50 a day (if renting a flat, rather than staying in a hotel), when away from home.

Couple of the guys got assessed by the IR. They were more interested in seeing the per diem receipts than the subsidence claims, AFAI recall

[malvolio]

I was a permie consultant with a decent-sized IT firm

That's the whole point, you wally.

Own your own company and you can establish your own rules, otherwise you have to do what you're told. My company, for instance, picks up all accommodation travel and evening meals, and the odd lunch as well, no limits as long as I behave responsibly. Perhaps I have a very understanding director (hint...) but I didn't go freelance to be instructed on how to manage my own affairs.

[cojak]

However, my FD takes a very dim view on hotels costing > £100 per night, even in London....

(She does make allowances for proven emergencies, tho').