I currently spend approx. 2 weeks/month on site with my client (typically two return flights and 8 nights in a hotel - I'm up north, they're down south); sometimes a bit more. MyCo pays for this travel.
Now the client is suggesting they organize this for me (i.e. they just get me the tickets and pick up the hotel bill - no money goes through MyCo). They have an internal travel department which deals with corporate travel so can just put this through with the permies travel arrangements. I believe this is a "sweetner" and easier to put through the budget internally than an equivalent valued rate rise.
Do I need to wary of anything in this arrangement? Not sure it's an IR35 pointer as they certainly pick up travel costs for people coming in from larger suppliers on a regular basis (but for much shorter terms). Presumably it still becomes a personal BIK if it looks like going beyond 24 months (I'm on site more than the 40% threshold) - but how would I figure out the value if I never see the invoices? Presumably I'd have to get the client to release this information.
My own preference is to keep things as they are so I control my own travel (both because it's familiar, less permie-like and also as I'd have more control over where I stay). However if the alternative is no rate rise and still paying my own travel then it may be tempting.
Now the client is suggesting they organize this for me (i.e. they just get me the tickets and pick up the hotel bill - no money goes through MyCo). They have an internal travel department which deals with corporate travel so can just put this through with the permies travel arrangements. I believe this is a "sweetner" and easier to put through the budget internally than an equivalent valued rate rise.
Do I need to wary of anything in this arrangement? Not sure it's an IR35 pointer as they certainly pick up travel costs for people coming in from larger suppliers on a regular basis (but for much shorter terms). Presumably it still becomes a personal BIK if it looks like going beyond 24 months (I'm on site more than the 40% threshold) - but how would I figure out the value if I never see the invoices? Presumably I'd have to get the client to release this information.
My own preference is to keep things as they are so I control my own travel (both because it's familiar, less permie-like and also as I'd have more control over where I stay). However if the alternative is no rate rise and still paying my own travel then it may be tempting.
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