Claiming deductions on public transportation commuting costs, and flight to the UK

Tweener

Hello, here's my situation:
In August 2009 I take a rather expensive flight from Italy to Scotland, to come to work for an IT company there. The company didn't reimburse me the cost of the flight (only 5 days of accommodation on a B&B).
I left Scotland in February, but for some of the months there (October, November and December), I lived in Edinburgh, and I had to take a daily train to commute to and from my workplace. I paid my taxes under a PAYE scheme, but I wonder if I could fill a Self-Assessment to
1 - Claim deductions on the cost of the flight to come to work in the UK
2 - Claim deduction of weekly seasonal train tickets

If I can, I need my UTR to register online, but I can't find any document received from HMRC during those months, where it is specified. Which office could I ask for it?

I already sent a P85 form to my relevant tax office (without any P45 form, given the idiocy of my former employer).
Thank you very much

p00hsticks

I don't believe you can claim tax relief for the commute between your home and your workplace.

dmg24

p00hsticks wrote: »

I don't believe you can claim tax relief for the commute between your home and your workplace.

That is correct. I know someone who commutes to Moscow and he is unable to claim his 'mileage' back.

fengirl_2

Only expenses incurred wholly exclusively and necessarily in the performace of your duties are an allowable deduction for tax purposes. Getting to and from work puts you in the position to work, it is not part of your work.

Tweener

OK, thank you for your answer...What about the cost of the flight to come to the UK?
Another thing...Where can I find my UTR? I don't seem to have any document with it printed.
Is there a number of HMRC I can call to get it from my National Insurance number?
Thank you

LittleVoice

Tweener wrote: »

OK, thank you for your answer...What about the cost of the flight to come to the UK?
Another thing...Where can I find my UTR? I don't seem to have any document with it printed.
Is there a number of HMRC I can call to get it from my National Insurance number?
Thank you

It doesn't seem that the flight cost would fall into the category of being incurred wholly exclusively and necessarily in the performace of your duties so not claimable against tax.

I think you would have a UTR if you registered as self-employed - but you are not self-employed as you are paid under PAYE. If you want to contact your local tax office, have a look at http://search2.hmrc.gov.uk/kbroker/hmrc/contactus/start.jsp

TM1976

If your employer paid for the flight you could claim it is a tax free beneift as a relocation expense however you can't claim tax relief on it as an employment expense - no different to claiming tax relief for attending an interview really.

UTRs are for self assesment taxpayers, you have to request one.

Tweener

My employer did not pay for the flight...Is there any hope to be able to claim that expense?
Thank you

TM1976

See above.

TM1976 wrote: »

you can't claim tax relief on it as an employment expense