When you have a minute...

[VectraMan]

Because of where I live, most of my roles require me staying away from home Monday to Friday and if I'm suddenly going to have to fork out for travel, subsistence and accommodation out of my own pocket then I guess it'll be the tipping point that sees me packing it all in and going to do something else.

Many permies do the same, or at least have to travel to work. And you could always choose to live somewhere closer to where the work is; that's the kind of decision that millions have to make, it's not unique to contractors. I'm not saying I'm against the idea of being able to reclaim expenses, but perhaps it ought to apply equally to everyone.

[Ticktock]

Many permies do the same, or at least have to travel to work. And you could always choose to live somewhere closer to where the work is; that's the kind of decision that millions have to make, it's not unique to contractors. I'm not saying I'm against the idea of being able to reclaim expenses, but perhaps it ought to apply equally to everyone.

That, in a nutshell, is why we can claim for expenses, and why it is equal to everyone.

Yes, we, and permies, could choose to live closer to where we work. If that place of work changes, however, then it is unrealistic to expect anyone to immediately move house. That is why you are given up to 24 months when you are able to claim.

[Gumbo Robot]

Many permies do the same, or at least have to travel to work. And you could always choose to live somewhere closer to where the work is; that's the kind of decision that millions have to make, it's not unique to contractors. I'm not saying I'm against the idea of being able to reclaim expenses, but perhaps it ought to apply equally to everyone.

True - but I don't particularly want to so I'm guessing that if all this stuff comes to fruition then I'll pack it all in and do something else.

[mudskipper]

I wonder if it will have the effect of being the trigger to incorporate for some contractors using brollies, thereby resulting in loss of tax revenue.

[TheFaQQer]

If you are inside IR35, then you are an employee for tax purposes. So why should you still be allowed to claim travel and subsistence expenses that an employee couldn't?

[TheFaQQer]

I wonder if it will have the effect of being the trigger to incorporate for some contractors using brollies, thereby resulting in loss of tax revenue.

If only there was some kind of corporate vehicle looming which would make sure that there wasn't a loss in tax revenue.

Oh.

[northernladuk]

It says it affects people that 'broadly look like employees'. I wear a Paul Smith suit and tie with a tailor made shirt and bespoke T&F Slack shoes. I look nothing like an employee so mustn't apply to me 😀

[MicrosoftBob]

If you are inside IR35, then you are an employee for tax purposes. So why should you still be allowed to claim travel and subsistence expenses that an employee couldn't?

If an employees workplace changes they can claim expenses

Why should contractors if through IR35 are deemed to be employees, be then deemed not to be employees for the purposes of expenses

[xoggoth]

If you are inside IR35, then you are an employee for tax purposes. So why should you still be allowed to claim travel and subsistence expenses that an employee couldn't?

Because contractors do not get the many things employees do - sick pay, maternal/paternal leave, paid holidays, free membership of company sports clubs, HR help on various things, not even use of subsidised canteens in some places. They also have to handle their own tax affairs, pensions etc. or pay somebody to do so. Employees get that all for nothing.

Rather glad I'm retired. Think when I'm on my last days, if I'm up to it, I shall do a suicide bombing in a tax office. It will be xoggoth's gift to CUK.

[VectraMan]

That, in a nutshell, is why we can claim for expenses, and why it is equal to everyone.

Yes, we, and permies, could choose to live closer to where we work. If that place of work changes, however, then it is unrealistic to expect anyone to immediately move house. That is why you are given up to 24 months when you are able to claim.

It's not equal to everyone as an employee can't claim expenses for the first 24 months of a new job. He is expected to immediately move house, at least from an expenses point of view.

Expenses are meant to be for when you work somewhere different from your normal place of work; i.e. you need to have a normal place of work that's different from where you're claiming the expenses for. And you don't. So if one type of worker gets to claim travel expenses for up to two years, why doesn't every type of worker get to claim travel expenses for up to two years?