Claiming travel expenses for interviews

[vince14]

Hi all,

I normally don't submit claims for travel costs to companies when I attend an interview - the cost is usually minimal anyway. However, I've gone to Germany this week for an interview (before you ask, I didn't get it) and spent a couple of hundred quid on flights, so I decided to try and recoup my costs.

When I enquired with the recruitment company, they gave me the cold shoulder and implied that it wasn't the 'done thing' for contractors to reclaim travel costs for interviews. Anyone know if this is true? Or shall I just invoice them anyway?

Cheers,

Vince

[Pondlife]

Shouldn't you have asked before going?

[malvolio]

Wrtite it off in your accounts as "Cost of Sales". And nect time work out the cost of such a trip against the gross profit of the contract...

[The Lone Gunman]

It varies. I have had companies refuse to pay and others cover the whole bill for me and the wife.

If you have a written statement saying it is not the done thing for freelancers then keep it as IR35 evidence.
This couple of hundred quid risk could be the deciding factor that will save you thousands.

[XLMonkey]

It's definitely not common practice for contractors to have travel costs to the interview paid for by anyone else. So, the agent was correct.

I have heard of it being done when the interview is in another country/the travel costs are very high, but only if it was agreed in advance.

Write it off. Forget about it.

[Paddy]

Got an interview in Bangkok next week. I shall pay for it but put it on my own expenses.

[hyperD]

In order to differentiate between a legit business expense, such as an interview or business meeting, and a holiday, what criteria do you need to satisfy the HMRC during an audit?

[Phoenix]

Got an interview in Bangkok next week. I shall pay for it but put it on my own expenses.

I doubt the "Ladyboys" give reciepts.

[thunderlizard]

It's not normal practice in the commercial world at large for the prospect to pay the supplier's expenses when the supplier goes to make an initial sales pitch.

[threaded]

Normally agents have offered me up front to pay for the expenses on the proviso that I would reimburse them if I didn't take up the contract. But, touch wood, I've never failed an interview, so there's never been any real risk for the agent.