Expenses - bit dodgy this one but its not me

[The Spartan]

The only thing I would say to you is to get it in writing; it's not unheard of to get 2 different opinions from 2 different people at HMRC on the same day - if you have written confirmation you will be covered

Exactly I had huge problems with HMRC when I was out in Switzerland everyone I spoke to told me that I'd have to pay UK tax when I got back, even though their own rules said otherwise. Finally I spoke to one of their senior advisers who actually knew all about the Statutory Residence Test and the criteria who agreed my understanding was right and then issued a letter to me confirming I wasn't liable for UK taxes. It took over 6 months of dealing with HMRC to get this sorted so as for them getting back to you within 24 hours yeah whatever.

[The Spartan]

This is clearly a very grey area, but one thing that is absolute - you do not have to provide petrol/ diesel receipts. That is a fact.

It is slightly grey, you do if you're using umbrella but don't if you're using a limited company. I personally keep them as I've nothing to hide and can backup any expenditure from the company and it's no real extra effort so I'll continue to do so.

[JRCT]

It is slightly grey, you do if you're using umbrella but don't if you're using a limited company. I personally keep them as I've nothing to hide and can backup any expenditure from the company and it's no real extra effort so I'll continue to do so.

But a petrol receipt has no correlation to the mileage you claim. Unless you fill up each day for the exact mileage that you're travelling.

It's like claiming for lunches with your weekly shopping receipt from Tesco.

[malvolio]

But a petrol receipt has no correlation to the mileage you claim. Unless you fill up each day for the exact mileage that you're travelling.

It's like claiming for lunches with your weekly shopping receipt from Tesco.

It's all about proof of purchase, that's all. As long as you can demonstrate you bought fuel during the period claimed for, there's no problem.

Never ever try to apply logic to HMRC, it's absolutely pointless trying. They always start from the premise you're fiddling something and it's up to you to prove you aren't.

[NickNick]

Ha ha. Didnt think of that.

Bet it wasnt easy to get hold of CCTV footage though.

Remember someone claimed whiplash injuries when I reversed out of space in tesco express and nicked their door (50p size dent). 3mph tops and woman was fine (until she got home and husband could see nice little earner). Wasnt bothered about the damages to her car - it was my fault but someone claiming £5K for nothing did wind me up a bit.

Tescos wouldnt release the CCTV footage and my insurer werent interested in pushing it. So she got £5K personal injury for nothing.

Yours was a civil case though, my friend was a criminal case. They had the CCTV before they charged him.

[SpontaneousOrder]

Agreed, but if your claiming 24,000 miles of private milage on £150 of reciepts you may have a bit of an issue ....

That's why I don't even bother. If I don't need them then I won't run the risk of discrepancies being used against me. If I've attended a client site 100 miles away for a year, then that's sufficient for me to demonstrate a legitimate 44k mile claim - unless I'm also putting in a shed load of train ticket claims too.

[JRCT]

Agreed, but if your claiming 24,000 miles of private milage on £150 of reciepts you may have a bit of an issue ....

But you wouldn't. You'd prove 24,000 miles of private mileage on a car that has travelled more than 24,000 miles.

What if you had an electric car or a pushbike*? How would you prove that with receipts? You can still claim a mileage allowance.

*I could have posted this in the 'words you use that give away your age' thread.

[BolshieBastard]

This is the downside of forums. The points have been highlighted but people endlessly argue the point.

If you want to claim mileage when using the train, pushbike, walking or whatever, do it. But dont clog up the forum with "I dont know what to do. HMRC are investigating me and say I shouldnt have claimed....." type posts.

[SussexSeagull]

I have never kept fuel receipts, but then again I have only ever claimed for legitimate mileage so could go back to bank statements if need be.