Like buses...

[SteelyDan]

I think if we self-regulated and stopped the urine-extraction on expenses, HMRC would meet us half way on what initially appear to be draconian measures.

I love an optimist

[LondonManc]

To be honest, I think the expenses we claim are OTT.

Claim for staying away, fine.
Claim for reaching that staying away point, fine.
Claim for any commute over 40 miles, fine.
Claiming for meals as if you wouldn't eat normally? No chance. I can go as cheap or as expensive as I want for meals and that's my choice, whether I'm working at home or working away.

I think if we self-regulated and stopped the urine-extraction on expenses, HMRC would meet us half way on what initially appear to be draconian measures.

[gables]

Don't know - I've got to read it first My working hours are currently being spent putting together the IR35 consultation response.

Lunch has always been a bit of an issue - my thought has always been that it shouldn't be allowable under any circumstances. There is no real additional significant cost between making a sandwich and buying a sandwich; an evening meal is different - if you're staying away from home, the cost difference could be quite large.

Definitely

[SueEllen]

Yep.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Have skimmed read too but picked up:

"employees should not have their journeys to multiple locations or areas which are a significant distance apart all treated as being ordinary commuting"

Isn't this exactly what they are proposing should stop for contractors

[pr1]

Thanks.
I just skimmed though this. Why are they insistent on using words such as 'employee', 'employer', even in relation to the 'IT Contractor'? And I didn't see any example which related to anyone who was working as a Ltd Co, whose business operated from home (as we all do I think). Did I miss it, or have they totally missed it?

this paper seems based on the handling of travel/subsistence claims for employees of big companies ("The OTS published their second report on the review of employee benefits and expenses in January 2014, and made several recommendations for simplifying the rules and removing employers’ administrative burdens.")

the first consultation was aimed at typical small LtdCo contractors ("This consultation sets out the government’s proposals for amending the rules for tax relief on travel and subsistence for those working through employment intermediaries.)

the "IT contractor" they describe sounds like BigCo employee (eg accenture) who is contracted out to clients

[SteelyDan]

You wait ages for one to turn up and then you get three all together. HMRC have launched another discussion paper on T&S but for the world at large, not just contractors https://www.gov.uk/government/consul...scussion-paper

Thanks.
I just skimmed though this. Why are they insistent on using words such as 'employee', 'employer', even in relation to the 'IT Contractor'? And I didn't see any example which related to anyone who was working as a Ltd Co, whose business operated from home (as we all do I think). Did I miss it, or have they totally missed it?

[jamesbrown]

Here's another one for you.

[pr1]

just read through it now, if anything it's proved that claiming lunch while claiming "temporary workplace" travel is completely fine (under the current rules) - I'd been advised by my accountant not to

[WordIsBond]

This isn't like buses. You WANT buses to come.

[pr1]

i think this is good and useful - thread title should be renamed to something more "read me!"

[Alias]

I notice it refers to SD or C rather than SD and C...

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Don't know - I've got to read it first My working hours are currently being spent putting together the IR35 consultation response.

Lunch has always been a bit of an issue - my thought has always been that it shouldn't be allowable under any circumstances. There is no real additional significant cost between making a sandwich and buying a sandwich; an evening meal is different - if you're staying away from home, the cost difference could be quite large.

[SueEllen]

Are you going to set up a survey for this?

I'm worried about having my words twisted.

The issue with lunch time expenses cones down to whether the work place entails an over night stay.

In other words I don't bother to claim if I can bring in my own lunch but if I can't because I'm staying away then I claim.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

You wait ages for one to turn up and then you get three all together. HMRC have launched another discussion paper on T&S but for the world at large, not just contractors https://www.gov.uk/government/consul...scussion-paper