Claiming Business Mileage

jordanw_2

Evening Everyone

I was told by a merchandiser at work that it might be possible to claim travel between home and work based on my circumstances.

I got a promotion to be a trainee manager which meant leaving my branch to train in another branch for up to a year. I started there in June 2011 and left in November 2011 to assist in another branch.

Now I can understand if the first move (June to November) wouldn't count as a temporary workplace because they paid me and my contract changed to specify that branch as my workplace. But maybe I'm wrong?

However would the move in November count? Because it was never permanent and was purely to help out and I was still being paid by the previous branch etc?

Also, would a letter from the branch detailing that I was there 5 days a week between x and x be likely to suffice as evidence?

Any advise would be great because I'm clueless!
Thanks

Savvy_Sue

I don't think this is entirely straightforward.

Your employer can re-imburse whatever expenses they like. However, some expenses would be liable to tax, including if the employer re-imbursed the expenses associated with your travel to your normal place of work. Therefore in practice very few employers do this. But if it's a temporary move, or an occasional travel (eg for a training day), then normally the employer would re-imburse and there would be no taxable element.

That means your first step would be to ask your employer whether they will re-imburse any of your travel expenses. I'd agree that on the face of it the first move wouldn't count, as your normal place of work changed. 2nd move is less clear cut, but you could let us know what your employer says once you've asked, and further help might be available.