Reply to: training as company expense ?

[Platypus]

I'd suggest that if the cost of the flights to India plus the cost of the training is in total less than the cost of getting the training in the UK, you'll likely be ok. I'd document those costs and file them with the expense documentation.

But I am NOT an accountant, so who knows. I'm trying to apply common sense.

[MPwannadecentincome]

I've worked in a number of places that have let me do this, but assumes the extra days are not working days.

Usually tags on to weekends or booked days off so instead of returning Friday night, my return is Sunday night. They obviously do not pay for your extra accommodation so it doesn't matter to them, and sometimes works out cheaper.

Flights can sometimes be cheaper because of the "Saturday Night" rule.

Also some destinations do not have daily flights or they are very expensive so staying an extra night or two is possible even with the company paying the hotel.

[jmo21]

I don't think this is true at all. Not many employers would swallow that at all. It's much more likely you will be put on some god awful overnight flight home and be expected back in the office next day.

I've worked in a number of places that have let me do this, but assumes the extra days are not working days.

Usually tags on to weekends or booked days off so instead of returning Friday night, my return is Sunday night. They obviously do not pay for your extra accommodation so it doesn't matter to them, and sometimes works out cheaper.

[Contreras]

I don't think this is true at all. Not many employers would swallow that at all. It's much more likely you will be put on some god awful overnight flight home and be expected back in the office next day.

Permies at my current gig have recently each been sent to the US for a week or two. Flights were premium economy. One of them extended the trip by a week with an internal flight across the US to visit relatives. No idea if the company picked up the tab for the internal flight but it wouldn't surprise me at all. Nice employer except I have no intention of going perm again ever.

[Clare@InTouch]

I don't think this is true at all. Not many employers would swallow that at all. It's much more likely you will be put on some god awful overnight flight home and be expected back in the office next day.

This is my experience too, when I was blessed with a couple of business trips to Manchester (no disrespect to Manchester, but I didn't really want to add on any days!)

[MPwannadecentincome]

I don't think this is true at all. Not many employers would swallow that at all. It's much more likely you will be put on some god awful overnight flight home and be expected back in the office next day.

Not in any of the companies I have worked at!

Some do and some don't I guess.

[northernladuk]

This is where permie employees get away with it...

Company: "we can save money sending you on training abroad, would you like to go?"

Permie: "yes please and can I tag an extra day on the end to tour the place?"

Company: "sure thing we'll still pay for the flights".

I don't think this is true at all. Not many employers would swallow that at all. It's much more likely you will be put on some god awful overnight flight home and be expected back in the office next day.

[ASB]

This is where permie employees get away with it...

Company: "we can save money sending you on training abroad, would you like to go?"

Permie: "yes please and can I tag an extra day on the end to tour the place?"

Company: "sure thing we'll still pay for the flights".

Oh yes, I'm receiving some training next week. In Brum. Don't think I'll be extending my stay.

[MPwannadecentincome]

This is where permie employees get away with it...

Company: "we can save money sending you on training abroad, would you like to go?"

Permie: "yes please and can I tag an extra day on the end to tour the place?"

Company: "sure thing we'll still pay for the flights".

[ASB]

The issue of flights has been addressed.

Ultimately it comes down to a matter of judgement between the OP and their accountants. If particularly risk averse don't put it through. Otherwise put it through. There will be no problem with this - until there is a compliance review of some description which may or may not cause a problem. The worst that is likely to happen is a charge. The worst that could happen would be penalties etc as well.

The tax saving is of course broadly speaking 20% of the flight cost. Perhaps a couple of hundred quid at the most.

Many years ago I had to make a trip to Jo'burg for a couple of weeks support work. So I took my wife and child, extended the trip by a week and went to see friends in Durban.

I charged it to the company, but declared the flights that were not mine as BIK.

In a subsequent investigation HMIT picked up on it. I gave the details and suggested if he checked he would see I had taken some as BIK. In my case he was fine (but this was about 15 years ago).

[Clare@InTouch]

If this is the case then I would suggest that you do not claim for the cost of the flight as the majority of the trip is to visit family. You should have no problems if you just pay for the cost of the course and fund the travel personally.

Craig

Agreed. With time scales like that the trip is personal, with some business added on. The flight is therefore personal. You could claim any additional costs incurred because of the training element, like travel to the venue from where you're staying.

If HMRC investigate and they think you purposely claimed for something you shouldn't have then the penalties can be up to 100% of the tax due, plus interest. It could of course also make them curious about what else you've done that you shouldn't have......

[Craig at Nixon Williams]

I mean I have family back home and when I going home, I will be staying with them which I am not going to claim for. so say if I go for 2 weeks and the course is 3 days and if I don't claim for anything other than just flight charges will this be fine ?

and the worst case if hmrc inspects, will I just have to pay this or will they start investigating into my account ?

If this is the case then I would suggest that you do not claim for the cost of the flight as the majority of the trip is to visit family. You should have no problems if you just pay for the cost of the course and fund the travel personally.

Craig

[krssubbu]

Agree with Clare's view on this. The cost of training should be ok - it is the travel if there is any sort of private benefit such as a holiday tagged on the end or if you are accompanied by (or are visiting) family that make the expense a grey area.

Craig

I mean I have family back home and when I going home, I will be staying with them which I am not going to claim for. so say if I go for 2 weeks and the course is 3 days and if I don't claim for anything other than just flight charges will this be fine ?

and the worst case if hmrc inspects, will I just have to pay this or will they start investigating into my account ?

[Craig at Nixon Williams]

Agree with Clare's view on this. The cost of training should be ok - it is the travel if there is any sort of private benefit such as a holiday tagged on the end or if you are accompanied by (or are visiting) family that make the expense a grey area.

Craig

[stek]

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