MOD Tax Refunds

never_again_2
never_again_2 Posts: 179 Forumite
in UK armed forces MoneySaving
Hello,

I've not posted in this forum before, so hope you can shed some light on this question.

My husband is in the army and over the last few months a few of his colleages have been dealing with a company called 'Rift'. Rift will organise a claim for a tax rebate on service personnel's behalf (along with other sectors, such as construction, etc) for a whopping 28% + VAT fee!!

I'veloked into it and like most things have found that we can do it ourselves for the cost of our time and a stamp! I've printed off the form P87 to claim a Tax relief for expenses incurred travelling to location which is not the normal place of work (such as when he's been sent on training courses and has had to use his own transport) for the past 4 tax years. A bit gaulling that it's the 5th April today so we've lost the chance to claim for the 2008-2009 tax year, but never mind.

However, Rift state that they are able to submit a claim for travel from home to base. This appears to be different to the claim I am submitting with the P87. A colleague of his has included travelling from his married quarter to regular daily base in his claim through Rift:

http://www.riftuk.com/MOD.aspx

I have searched the HMRC and 'google' but can't find an information about claiming for normal daily travel?

Has anyone heard of it?

Thanks.
Total Debt November 2016 =£9,660.52 :mad:

Monthly Repayments = £593.09 :eek:

Goal to be debt free December 2017/ Savings £500 :T
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Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 178,093 Community Admin
    Photogenic Name Dropper First Post
    You can only claim relief on the difference between 45p and the MMA rate for duty travel but nothing for RPOD (normal daily travel)
  • never_again_2
    never_again_2 Posts: 179 Forumite
    Thanks. I think the same.

    From what I've read it seems that claims can only be made for travel from home to temporary place of work - minus the distance between home and normal place of work. He hasn't received any expense payments except the daily allowance they used to pay - £5 a day - so no payments for travel using own car.
    Total Debt November 2016 =£9,660.52 :mad:

    Monthly Repayments = £593.09 :eek:

    Goal to be debt free December 2017/ Savings £500 :T
  • Fergie76
    Fergie76 Posts: 2,293 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    I have just been told today that you can claim for HDT and that the Royal Marines do it on the P87.

    How true it is I don't know, but I'm going to fill in the form and see what the tax office.

    I always thought it was the same as stated above, that you can only claim for duty travel.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,093 Community Admin
    Photogenic Name Dropper First Post
    This thread on pprune may be relevant. Although 2011 it is still valid
  • Fergie76
    Fergie76 Posts: 2,293 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Just had a look on HMRC and it seems they are either claiming fraudulently or talking bollox, neither of which is a surprise for Royal...

    An employee’s remuneration for tax purposes is reduced by the cost
    of journeys:
    •
    he or she has to make in the performance of the duties of the
    employment, or
    •
    to a workplace he or she has to attend to carry out the duties of the
    employment, but not if the journey is ordinary commuting or private travel.
  • Trying_to_be_good
    Trying_to_be_good Posts: 1,989 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary
    Just to add - for the 24 month 'temporary place of work' bit to apply, the posting has to be formally expected to last less than 24 months, and actually last less than 24 months. If the expectation increases to over 24 months at any stage, tax relief also ceases to apply from the date of the change of expectation (not the end of the 24 months). Or it was last time I checked, about 18 months ago.
    Mortgage Free thanks to ill-health retirement
  • Navybhoy
    Navybhoy Posts: 18 Forumite
    Being in the Navy, is there a noddy guide anywhere for this? Don't fancy giving RIFT any cut of any potential money I am due.
  • martinbuckley
    martinbuckley Posts: 1,713 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary Photogenic First Post
    Welcome to the Forum Tomwebb5!
  • Devon_Sailor
    Devon_Sailor Posts: 303 Forumite
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    tomwebb may be a newbie but is spot on - typical RM and many RN appointments are 18-24 months before revolving round to a new unit/establishment, unlike our Army or Crabbie friends who can go for vast chunks of whole careers in the same barracks or air station.


    I think Fergie's (unintentionally disparaging, I hope) post was simply the product of a lack of appreciation that other Services do do things differently...usually for good reason!
  • Fergie76
    Fergie76 Posts: 2,293 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    And I thought bootnecks could take banter...
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