Tax expenses question

sweetbutternut

Hi,
Running out of time with my tax form so hope someone can help!!

One of my jobs is as an agency worker. There is a question on the tax form which says - "Have you incurred any expenses which have not been reimbursed while working for ......"

I don't know if I should put YES or NO. Technically, I have incurred expenses for stationery and travel, but as an employee, is this something I can claim tax relief on or am I supposed to just absorb the cost as part of the job?

I have no P11D or any sort of agreement with my employer that expenses will be reimbursed. And in answer to the question : "Have you received any taxable benefits and expense payments from ....", the answer is NO.

I've called the agency, but they have no idea.

Thanks

fengirl_2

For items such as stationery, HMRC would take the view that if this was wholly exclusively and necessarily incurred in the course of your job, then why isnt your employer reimbursing it? If the agency dont know, maybe they should be asked to find out.

sweetbutternut

Hmmm...that's interesting, but the agency made it clear from the outset that they wouldn't reimburse for stationery (even though it is an essential part of the job). So I guess I won't be able to claim for that. What about transport? Can PAYE workers claim tax relief for transport to work?

fengirl_2

You can claim for it, but be preapred to ask the agency for a letter confirming you have to supply your own, if challenged.
No one, employed or self employed, can claim the cost of travel to work because its not incurred in the course of work.

sweetbutternut

I understand if I can't claim tax relief if I am an employee, but one of my jobs was as a self-employed private tutor - I travel to many different locations as part of the job. I thought that I could claim tax relief on transport for that as it's a business expense.

Arrrggghhh...all this tax relief stuff is doing my head in.....:(

HappyMJ

sweetbutternut wrote: »

I understand if I can't claim tax relief if I am an employee, but one of my jobs was as a self-employed private tutor - I travel to many different locations as part of the job. I thought that I could claim tax relief on transport for that as it's a business expense.

Arrrggghhh...all this tax relief stuff is doing my head in.....:(

You can as you are based from home. 40p per mile.

Katie-Kat-Kins

You can claim for travel in the course of your employment but not travel to your workplace.

Hubby has done this in the past, he was a postie, couldn't claim for getting to the sorting office but could claim for driving from the sorting office to his deliveries. RM didn't pay expenses for this despite him having to use his own car and insure it for the purpose!

sweetbutternut

Thanks for the all the advice everyone. I still think I need to clarify with the tax office regarding being employed, but not having a fixed workplace. It seems to really depend on the kind of job you are doing and it's not very clear-cut with the agency job I'm doing.

Only problem is, I find it impossible to reach them by phone - it costs a bomb to hang on the line and I seem to be hanging on forever. Are phone calls to the tax helpline tax-deductible?

I wanted to e-mail, but there does not seem to be an e-mail address to contact the tax office - only an e-mail if you have technical issues. Does anyone have an e-mail address for them?

Thanks!

whitewitch21

sweetbutternut wrote: »

I wanted to e-mail, but there does not seem to be an e-mail address to contact the tax office - only an e-mail if you have technical issues. Does anyone have an e-mail address for them?

Thanks!

No HMRC don't have external email facilities, you can only contact them by phone or in person. Good luck!

TM1976

sweetbutternut wrote: »

Thanks for the all the advice everyone. I still think I need to clarify with the tax office regarding being employed, but not having a fixed workplace. It seems to really depend on the kind of job you are doing and it's not very clear-cut with the agency job I'm doing

Actually it's relatively simple.

You can't claim for travel to and from a permanent place of work (commuting) so if you are working in 1 office for the duration of your contract you can't claim for this.

You can claim for travelling to a temporary workplace, so if your employer sends you to work somewhere else for a short time or in your case you travel around clients tutoring you can claim for this.

The rule has nothing to do with the type of work you do but the type of work generally dictates which camp you fall into.

John_Pierpoint

Katie-Kat-Kins wrote: »

You can claim for travel in the course of your employment but not travel to your workplace.

Hubby has done this in the past, he was a postie, couldn't claim for getting to the sorting office but could claim for driving from the sorting office to his deliveries. RM didn't pay expenses for this despite him having to use his own car and insure it for the purpose!

Never could understand why the PO does not encourage employees to provide their own push bike and then claim relief on 20 pence per mile?