Claiming back tax on rail travel to work?

iviv

Hi guys. I work in the site offices on a construction site, and it was just mentioned in conversation that one of the people here had a company claim for the tax back on his travel to work each year, keeping 30% of the money. He wasn't sure of the exact reason why, but thought that it was because our registered place of work is the company head office, but since we actually work on site at a different address, this meant that for some reason we can claim the tax back?

Anyone got more info on this? Especially if this is true as I'd like to skip out the middleman and do this myself too. And money claimed back is good money!

Thanks

Edit: something about this being classed as a temporary place of work?

pjclar02

You can claim for travel to a temporary workplace.

Are you employed or self-employed?
How many times a week do you visit the site office?
Over how long a period will you be required to attend the site office?

iviv

I currently spend my whole working day at the site office, all 5 days of the week, until the project is finished in a couple of months. I'm employed, PAYE.

Thanks for the feedback. Is it a matter of simply filling in a form and sending it off to HMRC?

choodzik

Hello

My name is Peter and I have similar problem.

Here is my situation... ( sorry for a long topic ) and thanks in advance for Your answers.


I currently live in London but my company is based in Reading. I started the job in April last Year My company is outsorcing engineers for various projects and currently we have a contract at customer site in Swindon. Since I moved here in April and started this job I didn't know that I can claim a miles or some transportation refund. I was really disappointed when they told me that after I started the job.

Right now my company is making me a problems with refunding transportation.
I know that others who work with me in Swindon claiming a miles and it is not a problem for my company.

I have a permanent job contract and my permanent place of work is Reading but I travel every day to Swindon. If I would be self employed I could easily claim this miles. I know that others who work with me in Swindon claiming a miles and it is not a problem for my company. Maybe they don't want to reimburse me such a huge amount of money.

Nevertheless My boss told me that I can claim it but I have to do it by myself. So as far as I know there is end of the fiscal year in April. I am collecting all my train tickets ( don't have a car ) and would like to ask You haw can I legally gain something and deduct it from the taxes? I know that it mights look suspicious that I changed my place of living from Swindon to London In January but I just did it because my girlfriend finally moved in and found a job in London

I know from HM revenue that if I even work on daily basis but shorter than 24 months in one place it is still treated as a temporary work place.

And I would like to underline it once again. I know if I would work in Reading which is stated as my permanent work place I cannot claim any miles etc... but my place of work is different. It is Swindon and it is temporary just for the contract period and less than 24 months.
Any help?? This might significantly save my budget and huge transportation cost.

One more time sorry for a long topic but it is very important for me as well as You guys.

Savvy_Sue

I could be confused, but ...

an employer may choose to refund travel costs to a temporary place of work, and if they do this will not be a taxable benefit.

If an employer does NOT refund travel costs, then you may be able to reclaim some tax back - I don't know how it works for train travel, but for mileage you'd be able to reclaim the tax paid on 45p per mile - NOT 45p per mile itself.

So the first question is to the employer: in what circumstances do they refund travel expenses?

iviv

No, I don't get repaid anything.As for travel expenses, generally they don't refund them at all.

jamesml

Use a form P87 - make sure you read the guidance first though just to make sure your workplace qualifies as a temporary workplace.

You are entitled to claim back the tax on expenses incurred for business purposes if your employer repays none of some of the amount. I.E the tax on 45p per mile, or the tax on your rail travel.

p00hsticks

choodzik wrote: »

Nevertheless My boss told me that I can claim it but I have to do it by myself. So as far as I know there is end of the fiscal year in April. I am collecting all my train tickets ( don't have a car ) and would like to ask You haw can I legally gain something and deduct it from the taxes? I know that it mights look suspicious that I changed my place of living from Swindon to London In January but I just did it because my girlfriend finally moved in and found a job in London

I'm not expert, but bear in mind that I think any expenses you would be able to claim would only be for travel between your normal place of work (Reading) and your temporary one (Swindon), non from where you live (London).

choodzik

Hi Thanks for all the answers...

I am aware of that i can only be reimbursed for the distance from Reading to Swindon but it rises new questions.

Should i buy split train ticket for now on from London to Reading and from Reading to Swindon than?

What is better to claim miles or train tickets??

How can I do it by myself?

And the last question... Do You think it is a good idea to call HMrevenue and ask about this situation?

thanks and regards

cotswoldaccountant

If the travel expense is legitimate, i.e. for travel to a temporary workplace, and does not break the 24 month rule, then tax relief on the FULL amount of the travel expense may be claimed. So, if you live in London and travel to Swindon, you may claim tax relief on the full cost of the journey, not just the portion between your normal workplace and the temporary workplace.

choodzik

thanks for fast reply

Unfortunately I cannot find any part in P87 form which is stating the train expenses. There is only part of the miles to claim.

How does the standard procedure works?? I should provide all the ticket to the revenue department and when i should do it ( April)

would appreciate for another answers and tips

thanks