Quidco....Is this all above board?

anxious_mum

I've been reading about cashback sites for ages and signed up to Quidco this week. I work away a lot, so on Tuesday when I needed to book some flights etc, I went to Quidco and booked my flights, car hire and hotel using the links.

I've had a notification from Quidco that, assuming I go through with the trip, I am in line for £19.22 from Europcar, £1.00 from Brussels Airlines and £19.20 from Holiday Inn! This is all for one trip, and I usually go three times a month :j

I pay for everything on my company credit card. Are there any tax implications? I can't believe I could potentially 'earn' 40 odd quid for every business trip I make?

HappyMJ

The money is considered a discount so you should "technically" not claim as much of a deduction when you claim your business expenses. i.e if the flight came to £150 and you got £1 back from Quidco then you would submit an expenses claim for £149. That's how it's supposed to work and as far as private expenses it's a discount and you got the product for £1 cheaper rather than earning the £1 of income and having to declare it.

anxious_mum

Oh boo! Here's me hoping I was on nice little earner! Although, how would my company ever know? The credit card statement comes through for a set amount, I provide a receipt for that amount, and my expense form and the credit card statement always match up, but I'm thinking the Quidco goes into my account without anyone knowing......... I'm not sure I should be doing it now :-(

Lomcevak

The safe thing is to ask your boss, HR etc. (depending on the company) and ask what to do. I had something similar at a previous company and was told that they didn't care - then my boss asked how to sign up - but my current one is very strict on such things and insists that all cashback is either deducted from the expense claim or refunded. You may or may not get the answer you'd like, but at least that way you know where you stand.

The only other possible issue is if you're getting any kind of business-arranged rate, which may have a discount built in to it - in that case it might possibly track on Quidco but subsequently get declined.

anxious_mum

Good point Lomcevak. I will mention it to my boss and see what he says, but I have a feeling he will be fine with it, in fact he's probably already doing it! That would be great if it's allowed, it might go towards making up for the 6 hours delay spent in Schiphol because of fog here and there, and the countless times I come home or have to leave at stupid o'clock, which I don't get paid for. I'm a bit excited, Air France is on there too! But you're right, I need to fess up I think.

anxious_mum

I mean, we already have the Fly Blue, Lufthansa Miles & More, hotel chain loyalty cards, which give you points. My boss (Dutch) told me he has over 100,000 points with KLM, he's saving so he can take his family somewhere for free. We never have to declare them, so is Quidco any different? It might be, because it's actual money, not points. I dunno. I will check.

GavB79

Your company may be fine with it, but HMRC won't be. I would say it's a benefit in kind - you're being reimbursed more than the service is actually costing and should be taxed on the difference imo.
You suspect it's dodgy or you wouldn't have started the thread...

anxious_mum

Yes Gav, I'm not sure it's the right thing to do, to be honest, that is exactly why I posted, I was really surprised to see all these figures popping up in Quidco! But hell! The only time I can make some extra money and it turns out I actually shouldn't! I would like to hear if there are any other business travellers out there who do it?

meggsy

I wouldn't get too excited about Quidco anyway tbh, my account has shown money owing for months to be paid in the next payment run ! Only received one payment in 18 months so far, there may be more information here ...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3282000

savemoney

Surely the company is entitled to the payment and not you if they are paying for it. I would certainly ask your employer because if they find out which may be slim you could be in trouble jobs are scarce out there

anxious_mum

LOL Meggsy, here's me getting all excited over 40 quid a week! I will check it and come back to you on my first and only foray into Quidco!

Savemoney, Do you really think that they should have it? Taking into account my 60 plus hours per week, not including the travel that I do? I don't think so, if I speak to my boss and he says it's OK, then it's OK. I have decided to go to the BIG boss (the one above my boss) on Monday and talk to him about it, at least he's English!