Mileage question

[SteelyDan]

It's just the request for VAT receipts to "prove" expenditure to the full value of the claim that seems daft to me. Normally if a client asks for VAT receipts to prove expenditure, I send copies annotated to say that VAT already reclaimed by my company, in this case there are no VAT receipts as I don't provide them to my company on purely mileage expense claims.

Something about this doesn't sit right to me (not Craig's post, but the request).

In the past, if I can claim mileage at whatever rate from the client, then I ensure I have an email requesting my attendance at x location for such and such a meeting, or an Outlook invite etc. I then work out/clock the mileage (return journey) x rate allowance, and submit as part of either invoice (add VAT if this is the case), or via agency portal, (which then adds VAT).

I've never had to provide fuel receipts. What about the fuel which is already in my tank? You wouldn't just buy 20 litres to travel for a client related meeting. Not all of its use is going to be client related travel; some/most will be claimed from my business as 'getting to work' mileage, etc etc. I think it's an unreasonable request.

[northernladuk]

. I think it's an unreasonable request.

How can collecting a piece of paper at the petrol station and handing it to the client be unreasonable. Not like it takes any time or effort. If the client is clamping down on people fradulently claiming mileage and this is all he wants give him it.

To be honest I keep all my receipts for my co mileage as well so no extra effort.

[BolshieBastard]

A quick question that hopefully has an easy answer.

The "something dodgy is going on" alarm bell rang in my head. I've been told that if I want to claim mileage that I need to both send in my mileage claim and also a VAT receipt for the fuel spent to at least the value of the mileage claim.

Now, surely there's something dodgy about that... my mileage isn't to just cover fuel, it's meant to cover everything else involved in running a car. If I'm giving them a high value VAT receipt then they're getting VAT back for fuel that isn't anything to do with my business travel.

What's the impact on me/my company for this, if any?

You can claim mileage and, you can claim the VAT element on fuel if you are VAT registered and not on the FRS.

Who is asking for this 'proof'? If its your company paying the mileage, you only need keep a mileage log. If it is HMRC VAT, then obviously you need the receipt for VAT purposes.

[SteelyDan]

How can collecting a piece of paper at the petrol station and handing it to the client be unreasonable. Not like it takes any time or effort. If the client is clamping down on people fradulently claiming mileage and this is all he wants give him it.

To be honest I keep all my receipts for my co mileage as well so no extra effort.

Maybe 'unreasonable' was a bit strong, ok. But I'm not sure that it's common practice, or even a requirement for contractors to keep fuel receipts. I was under the impression that receipts were required if you had a "company car", as opposed to using your own car for business purposes, where it is not the case, especially if on the FRS.

If the client is clamping down on people fradulently claiming mileage and this is all he wants give him it well, as mentioned I keep email trail of requests to be at whatever location and they would know the mileage within their finance dept anyway; you keep receipts, which you find easier; each to their own.

[malvolio]

Why do I have a sneaky feeling that the client doesn't give a damn about VAT but just wants some level of proof that mileage has actually been done?

Hector would do exactly the same if YourCo didn't keep an acceptable mielage log.

[northernladuk]

Why do I have a sneaky feeling that the client doesn't give a damn about VAT but just wants some level of proof that mileage has actually been done?

Hector would do exactly the same if YourCo didn't keep an acceptable mielage log.

Which isn't unreasonable either. If someone was doing mileage on my company I would want to make sure he is doing it.

[Acme Thunderer]

Which isn't unreasonable either. If someone was doing mileage on my company I would want to make sure he is doing it.

Wouldn't been seen at where you were supposed to be count as proof? A fuel receipt is next to worthless as proof who says you weren't just filling your car up for the week. Having said that Mrs Acme has to provide a receipt when claiming mileage (she works for a school) but that is the public sector for you

The issue here as has been pointed out is its impossible, unless you are driving a Veyron at full tilt, to spend on fuel what you claim for mileage.

[northernladuk]

Wouldn't been seen at where you were supposed to be count as proof? A fuel receipt is next to worthless as proof who says you weren't just filling your car up for the week. Having said that Mrs Acme has to provide a receipt when claiming mileage (she works for a school) but that is the public sector for you

The issue here as has been pointed out is its impossible, unless you are driving a Veyron at full tilt, to spend on fuel what you claim for mileage.

This is very true and for companies our size yes it is not needed but a large corporate with remote sites and so on and so on. It's not perfect for them at all but helps I guess.

My Veyron is pretty eco friendly at full tilt.. anyone else having a problem with theirs?

[Peoplesoft bloke]

I had this as a requirement when I was a permie with a tiny consultancy. When I queried it they blamed it on the moronic accountant.

[Ignis Fatuus]

How can collecting a piece of paper at the petrol station and handing it to the client be unreasonable. Not like it takes any time or effort. If the client is clamping down on people fradulently claiming mileage and this is all he wants give him it.

To be honest I keep all my receipts for my co mileage as well so no extra effort.

But AIUI the client wants to see fuel receipts to at least the value of the amount claimed, not just to the value of the fuel needed to drive the miles claimed.

So for example you might claim 100 miles @ 45p/mi = 45.00
Fuel for this might only cost less than 20.00 so you wouldn't have receipts for 45.00.

As sevaral people have said, the mileage allowance is intended to cover more than just the fuel.

As a side comment, I detest clients who bull-headedly insist on implementing a "company policy" that contradicts an agreed contract - "bull-headedly" because they can only see the big permie employer POV that the company decides and you accept.