lunch as an expense

[SueEllen]

You have an attitude problem.

Ill decide if I need another accountant or not thankyou,.

All im doing is throwing a subject at the forum. If my question rubs you the wrong way feel free not to contribute.

Nope your question doesn't rub me up the wrong way.

You should note I pointed out HMRC guidelines for you to read yourself in my first post. Instead of doing so you decided I had an attitude problem.

[Nixon Williams]

A common question but in my opinion lunches cannot be claimed for as part of your regular expenses. If you are working away from home then breakfast and an evening meal would be ok, plus the £5/night subsistence (all subject to being compliant with the "24 month" rules).

Alan

[Ardesco]

Is it really worth it for a couple of quid?

I will occasionally claim a Friday afternoon lunch in a pub (but then I get drinks on the bill as well so it's a reasonable amount to claim back). I would say once in a while is OK, but don't take the piss and do it all the time. If you do and they investigate you they will probably end up paying then a wedge of extra tax.

[xoggoth]

That quote from SJD is quite correct, there is an internal IR guidance document that states it, but cannot see how you interpret it in the way you do. The whole point of lunches at work is that there is no extra expense incurred by being away from home. Maybe SJD can comment.

[westredd]

If it alright with you, can you tell us what your accountant said?

Ive since had my accountants reply and this is what my accountant said.

As far as we are concerned lunch isn’t an allowable expense and only Breakfast and Evening Meal can be claimed whilst staying away plus a £5 subsistence per night away. If the Inland Revenue were to investigate they wouldn’t allow Lunch Expense Claims.

I guess what he says makes sense. I was just a bit confused as I know other contractors here who are told that there is no problem claiming lunch as an expense and they do it, that's why I posted the question.

Obviously people like Sue ELLEN have nothing better to do with their day than go around and be patronising to novice posters to this forum.

[westredd]

If you don't trust your accountant's advice get another accountant.

You have an attitude problem.

Ill decide if I need another accountant or not thankyou,.

All im doing is throwing a subject at the forum. If my question rubs you the wrong way feel free not to contribute.

[THEPUMA]

FWIW I think you can claim it as a tax-deductible expense with no benefit-in-kind issues. We have previously discussed here:-

http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...tml#post275406

[xoggoth]

When I wasted my money on an accountant they said not, other contractors have said same.

Generally, expenses are only allowable if not something you would incur anyway . Evening meals when away ok as you are probably spending more than if you were at home, lunches at work are same if you were living at home or staying away.

[Kylie4485]

My moral in life is never trust anyone.

There is no harm in seeing what other people have to say about matters that are important to you.

[max]

I have asked my accountant.

Im just getting a 2nd opinion if that is alright with you?

If it alright with you, can you tell us what your accountant said?

[SueEllen]

I have asked my accountant.

Im just getting a 2nd opinion if that is alright with you?

If you don't trust your accountant's advice get another accountant.

[malvolio]

You can claim what you like. What you actually need to ask is do you have to pay tax on it as earned income, and is it output VAT (to which the answer is no, btw).

[westredd]

I have asked my accountant.

Im just getting a 2nd opinion if that is alright with you?

[SueEllen]

1. Ask your accountant. That's what you pay him/her for.

2. Read this:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/guidance/480.pdf

[westredd]

I have a ltd company and am contracting on a 9 month contract at a compaies office..

Would I normally be able to make a subsistence claim with my lunch recepits or has that all stopped now?

thanks