P87 - Claim tax on meals/drinks when on official business?

Financial_Savvy

I spend about 3 days a week where I do not go to my base place of work, and I visit other sites.

I have a company car and I understand I can claim all the mileage when I go from home to a place of business, and home again if I do not go into my usual place of work? Seems odd though as I often do less miles than if I go into work?

Anyway, can I claim back the tax on any meals/drinks that I purchase during the day?

Take today for example. I did not go into my base, but I went to another office, and then to a meeting with a customer who we work for. I purchased a coffee at lunch time. I have the receipt but I can't claim it back via my employer. But can I put it on a P87?

olivetti

The travel and related subsistence have to be wholly and exclusively for the purpose of your job and you have to be required to do the travel in order to fulfil your duties:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/BeginnersGuideToTax/IncomeTax/Taxallowancesandreliefs/DG_078389

John_Pierpoint

The general rule is that we all have to eat to live..
Some trades - like lorry driving - have negotiated minimal allowances with HMRC. White van men don't usually get it.
If you are in a master and servant relationship, your master has an interest in looking after you - as a fellow tax payer I'm not too bothered.
So unless you are forced to stay away from home over night you are pushing your luck if you collect a wad of Starbucks receipts..