Working away from home - what can I expense?

[Pete Marsh]

How smart of you to make an original quip. The whole point is they're NOT allowed, but did it anyway and now are in trouble for it like anyone else who fiddles their expenses (ok they get more leniency in some cases but then some employers would be more lenient than others too).

If they're caught fiddling,then they can just change the rule, viz Baroness Scotland:

The Sunday Times revealed last week that Scotland had received £170,000 from an allowance intended for ministers in the House of Lords who live outside London. This was despite the fact that the baroness has owned a family home in the capital for 15 years and tells the Lords it is her main address.

Before our article, the Cabinet Office could not have been more clear that Scotland should have received the allowance only if her main home was outside the capital.

However, less than 24 hours after the article was published, Baroness Royall, the leader of the Lords, sanctioned a statement by the Cabinet Office which overturned all its previous advice. It said the allowance was available to all lords who serve as ministers, regardless of where they live. LINK

It ain't a level playing field.

[Tarquin Farquhar]

How smart of you to make an original quip. The whole point is they're NOT allowed, but did it anyway and now are in trouble for it like anyone else who fiddles their expenses (ok they get more leniency in some cases but then some employers would be more lenient than others too).

If being in trouble means having to speak up and say that it was within the rules, I am ready for trouble.

[HairyArsedBloke]

I remember I did a 6 week contract in Ireland years back when I first started contracting and put EVERYTHING though.

Yeah, shove everything through: booze, hookers, late night pot noodleTV channel.

The worse that can happen is that some of them will not be allowed against tax.

[cybersquatter]

I don't see any of them being landed with an income tax bill for the benefits-in-kind they've failed to declare.

[d000hg]

No, only MPs are allowed to do that

How smart of you to make an original quip. The whole point is they're NOT allowed, but did it anyway and now are in trouble for it like anyone else who fiddles their expenses (ok they get more leniency in some cases but then some employers would be more lenient than others too).

[LouC]

Thanks

Thanks Pondlife - I thought it would be that, but just wanted to clarify before i spoke to my accountant about it

Lou

[Pondlife]

No, only MPs are allowed to do that

Sad but true I'm afraid.

[JoJoGabor]

All travel (train, taxi, flights etc)


You cannot generally claim for things that you will use personally that are not wholly and exclusivley for business. For example, a new flat screen TV for a rented apartment whilst away would not be allowed.

No, only MPs are allowed to do that

[Pondlife]

All travel (train, taxi, flights etc)
Hotel room & meal costs

If you rent a place then (providing you're not using it at weekends and it's not your main residence), rent, council tax, leccy, gas, water etc.

Any food costs that are above and beyond what you would normally spend at home.

You cannot generally claim for things that you will use personally that are not wholly and exclusivley for business. For example, a new flat screen TV for a rented apartment whilst away would not be allowed.

[norrahe]

Ask your accountant and use search on this forum

[LouC]

Well, the contract market being what it is, i'm seriously considering having to contract away from home, even maybe in mainland Europe...

Obviously there'd be costs: travel, accomodation, subsistence.

What would I be able to claim back as expenses?

I remember I did a 6 week contract in Ireland years back when I first started contracting and put EVERYTHING though. My accountant didn't bat an eyelid. Now i'm a bit more careful...

Thoughts?

Many thanks
Lou