contracting newbie...expenses

[TheFaQQer]

During my IR35 investigation HMRC claimed I had breached 'The Square Mile' rule.

How unlucky you were one of the rare ones that the rule applies to

[Batcher]

How unlucky you were one of the rare ones that the rule applies to

Yes, very unlucky and very rare but let the record show that the rule didn't apply (after 4 years of fighting) in my case

[dty]

contracting newbie...expenses

Let's say I live near Guildford and I currently travel to a client in Canary Wharf by train. If I move to a client in Holborn and travel there by motorbike, is that a significant enough change?

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Let's say I live near Guildford and I currently travel to a client in Canary Wharf by train. If I move to a client in Holborn and travel there by motorbike, is that a significant enough change?

Maybe. Nobody can say for certain.

Its largely to do with how significant the change is, particularly the cost.

Its all relative; the further you're travelling, the less of an impact a change of location within somewhere like London is likely to make I'd say. For instance, if you live in East London and work in East London, then changing to a site in West London is likely to be significant. If you're commuting from Birmingham, then going to East London or West London isn't likely to make a significant change.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Let's say I live near Guildford and I currently travel to a client in Canary Wharf by train. If I move to a client in Holborn and travel there by motorbike, is that a significant enough change?

The distance between the two journeys is about 3 miles and the travelling time 10-15 minutes. Not sure about costs of the journeys. Difficult call - HMRC guidance is, typically, woolly - not sure if this would qualify as 'significant' or not

[dty]

The distance between the two journeys is about 3 miles and the travelling time 10-15 minutes. Not sure about costs of the journeys. Difficult call - HMRC guidance is, typically, woolly - not sure if this would qualify as 'significant' or not

More like 5 miles ;-)

The train ticket costs around £380 for the month (less if I bought an annual).

The bike costs about £10 a day in petrol. So £200 a month. More if I take wear and tear into account (new tyres every 100 commuting days). But I won't work on site full time - I'll be at home at least one if not two days a week.

[TheFaQQer]

Let's say I live near Guildford and I currently travel to a client in Canary Wharf by train. If I move to a client in Holborn and travel there by motorbike, is that a significant enough change?

Only HMRC will tell you for sure - and only in an investigation.

Personally, I'd claim it and be prepared to argue the toss.

[Batcher]

I don't think the method of transport or the cost is a factor.

I think it's purely down to travelling to the same general area but, as has been mentioned, only HMRC will be able to tell you. Only thing is, do you want to poke them with a sharp stick to find out?

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

I don't think the method of transport or the cost is a factor.

I think it's purely down to travelling to the same general area but, as has been mentioned, only HMRC will be able to tell you. Only thing is, do you want to poke them with a sharp stick to find out?

The mode of transport no but the cost could be a factor

[Underscore Pt2]

To substitute the word "location" for "site" hardly seems a great burden of additional detail, but if that's the way you see it, you keep going that way and I'll keep correcting your mistakes for you



Tripe - tell that to anyone who works for different clients in banking in London. Multiple clients, multiple projects, same location = no expenses once you know you are going to be there for over 24 months.

I've worked nowhere but this same city for 20 yrs as a contractor. And I'll continue to claim for the next 20.