Reply to: Can my company pay for Eurostar expenses?

[Chart Accountancy]

Permanent residence: London
Work place: Brussels (Mon-Fri) sometimes maybe wfh, but that's TBD
Max contract time: 6-7 months
Then back to London.
Past 13 years before this contract, lived in UK.

Based on your information, you will remain tax resident in the UK under the automatic test if you spend more than 183 days in UK and you keep access your main home but if you establish a permanent home/place of business in Belgium and/or spend longer there, you and your company may become tax residents in Belgium. The rules for travel to a temporary work place should still apply for you when travelling outside of the UK. If your permanent place of residence is still the UK and you keep your home here, your journeys to Belgium will be for the purpose of your trade, and should not be seen as a personal expense. Out of interest, when you are in Belgium do you also incur costs for accommodation?

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

When I was a permanent employee my train fares and flights were paid for directly by my employer, but they also allowed me to book some fares myself and them claim them back. So either method is ok for our limited companies too I presume.

It doesn’t matter which way you do it, in the case of travel how it is paid for makes absolutely no difference to how the expense is taxed.

If it’s valid business travel, it’s not taxable or reportable, if it’s not valid business travel it’s a taxable BIK. In either case it’s tax deductible for corporation tax purposes.

[MrButton]

You presume wrong...

Eh? Why?

[seeourbee]

Your company can pay for whatever it likes. Whether it's tax deductible for the company or a tax benefit for the end user is another question ...

[northernladyuk]

But what if the agent tells him he can do this?

Then that's grand.

[tarbera]

I'm waiting for the bit where the OP says he's not paying Belgian tax....

But what if the agent tells him he can do this?

Is his agent above tax officials?

[Andy O]

You presume wrong...

Would you care to elaborate?

[stek]

When I was a permanent employee my train fares and flights were paid for directly by my employer, but they also allowed me to book some fares myself and them claim them back. So either method is ok for our limited companies too I presume.

You presume wrong...

[Andy O]

When I was a permanent employee my train fares and flights were paid for directly by my employer, but they also allowed me to book some fares myself and them claim them back. So either method is ok for our limited companies too I presume.

[SueEllen]

I'm referring to the train expense paid by my Ltd or me though, not tax.

They are linked.

[stek]

#talktosueatipaye

I'm waiting for the bit where the OP says he's not paying Belgian tax....

[northernladyuk]

He suggests to pay the from my own pocket to "avoid any additional tax liabilities".

#talktosueatipaye

[Skag]

What does your accountant suggest?

He suggests to pay the from my own pocket to "avoid any additional tax liabilities".

[northernladuk]

What does your accountant suggest?

[Skag]

If you are working in Belgium, you pay tax in Belgium, there is no option to pay tax where ever suits.

Sounds like you are tax resident in both countries, suggest you read the sticky on this and prepare yourself for a shock

I'm referring to the train expense paid by my Ltd or me though, not tax.