Business mileage on self assessment

nicnac316

Hi all,

I've recently discovered that I can claim back business mileage from HMRC (I'm not self employed) so I've been calculating how many miles I've done over the last 4 years.

As each annual total exceeds £2500 I can't use the P87 form and need to claim it back via self assessment (which I recently registered for).

My question is, how do I go about doing this? Do I need to fill out 4 self assessments for the past 4 years or can I do it on just one? It says on the forms if they're submitted after a certain date then there is a penalty.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance

nicnac316

SeniorSam

Presumably you have proof of the mileage backed up by actual fuel receipts and service log records, without which your claim could not be entertained.

Sam

nicnac316

Yes proof for each journey made (via employer)

According to HMRC fuel receipts are not required when claiming for mileage rates.

booksurr

SeniorSam wrote: »

Presumably you have proof of the mileage

if you mean a mileage log then yes that is required. I hardly think he has proof of mileage itself

SeniorSam wrote: »

backed up by actual fuel receipts and service log records,

as a claimant driving their own car service records are irrelevant and proof of fuel purchase (receipt) is also irrelevant. In theory you can fabricate the fact you drove there, claim the mileage rate and hop on a bus instead, of course you could not then claim the bus fare!

if the mileage log is ever challenged then HMRC will be seeking to match it to evidence of actual business activity at the locations mentioned therein. It would be extremely unlucky for them to ever get to that stage of enquiry

Cornucopia

nicnac316 wrote: »

Yes proof for each journey made (via employer)

According to HMRC fuel receipts are not required when claiming for mileage rates.

What's your employment status?

nicnac316

booksurr wrote: »

if the mileage log is ever challenged then HMRC will be seeking to match it to evidence of actual business activity at the locations mentioned therein. It would be extremely unlucky for them to ever get to that stage of enquiry

Yes I have a log which is matched against business at those locations.

I'm happy that I have the correct evidence, I'm just unsure exactly how to claim it back. I'm employed BTW, not self employed.

densol_2

I used to complete a simple form p87 springs to mind but as you say its more than allowed then you need to request SA forms for the relevant years ? Call and ask HMRC. They then adjust your tax code and you also get a refund for previous years. Many moons ago employed could claim all the expenses ( as a percentage of business v private mileage ) and include petrol, insurance, tax, servicing and a writing down allowance. Oh my those were the days ! Now its a straight 45p :-((

Edited to add - I presume the employer is paying you nil or less than 45p per mile ? If they pay you anything towards the mileage thats a plus figure incoming and is deducted from the 45p - why are employer not paying money towards substantial business mileage ? HMRC " may " query if its genuine business miles as opposed to commuting

Castle

Slightly OTT
I'm assuming you do have business insurance cover for your vehicle.

nicnac316

Castle wrote: »

Slightly OTT
I'm assuming you do have business insurance cover for your vehicle.

Yes have business insurance

Savvy_Sue

Have I missed the bit where someone points out that the OP cannot claim the actual business mileage, but only the tax paid on the difference between what the employer pays per mile (if anything) and the HMRC approved rate of 45p per mile?

Workerbee999

I would like to ask a similar question to this, but my situation is slightly different.

I have a company funded fuel card that I use for all my mileage, private and business.

This is fully taxed as a PIId benefit, as I don't have a company car - instead have a cash allowance and have bought my own car - so the fuel card is not a traditional "company car fuel" tax benefit.

Can I reclaim the tax I have paid on the business mileage portion of the fuel spend? And if so, is this through the P87 using the full mileage rate? (Its less than £1000 pa and I have the details of travel)

The company does not pay me a separate mileage rate as they pay the whole fuel cost - but also they are not refunding me for the tax I am paying on this business expense which I shouldn't be.