work mileage query

unknowndave

Hi all
hoping that someone with experience and knowledge of this situation that can help.
Keeping this vague as i know colleagues use the site.

Im employed on a regional basis, covering approx 10 locations, spend roughly 2.5 to 3 hours a day driving to locations to start at 9, finish at 5.

Drive roughly 18000 business miles and have a company car. i pay for fuel but claim back through expenses (from closest location) deducting mileage to that location off each trip.

Now, 2 years later, work are saying i must treat location over 25miles away as my base (due to it having space for storing my materials, visit there once a month on average) and so must take 50 off every claim.

Is there such a thing as my"field based" or home based for expense claims?


Thanks in advance
Dave

HappyMJ

You can claim the extra amount from the HMRC if you haven't done so already. You'll only get the tax back though on the mileage that your employer refuses to pay for. Your employer is only trying to play fair with everyone else having to pay to get to/from work and they have guessed the average commute to work is 25 miles.

It's just a policy if you don't agree with it then appeal to the HR department.

What time do you leave/arrive home? Are you paid for the time you are driving on employer business to/from these locations? If not I'd be weighing up whether it's worth continuing with it or not.

I personally would say I will always leave home at 8.15am to arrive at a location which is 25 miles away at 9.00am then from then on I'm on the employers time. I would then calculate how long it would take for me to arrive home at 5.45pm and leave early enough to get me home for that time.

but....that's me...you could lose your job if you do that.

Notmyrealname

However in regards to the above, an area can be treated by HMRC as your normal place of work, not just one static location.

The problem you also have is that you have been travelling to these locations for a period of 2 years or more which means they are classed as permanent places of work and therefore not liable for claiming travelling expenses.

I would say you do not qualify for claiming back mileage at HMRC rates. Your employer may reimburse you but the amount they do is taxable.

unknowndave

Hi both
thanks for the quick reply.

Im really frustrated that i will be losing out on over 3k a year during to the change.


Important confused by the whole area being the permanent workplace though. i don't have an office, im a support functionclassed as head office
Staff. the area manager doesn't have this issue as they live 5 miles from a nearest location.

Thanks again