Expenses

bargainbetty

I work for a private firm in the city and we have a very specific schedule of claims for working away - a maximum per meal (breakfast and lunches are less expensive than dinner), no alcohol unless it is a client entertainment event (taxable) defined travel costs and if you forget something or want something that is your own damned business and your own damned expense.

If a member of my staff tried to claim nightclub entry as an expense, I'd laugh them out of the room.

gettingtheresometime

I think I need a job at OP's firm - I could certainly be creative with my expenses!

[Deleted User]

bargainbetty wrote: »

I work for a private firm in the city and we have a very specific schedule of claims for working away - a maximum per meal (breakfast and lunches are less expensive than dinner), no alcohol unless it is a client entertainment event (taxable) defined travel costs and if you forget something or want something that is your own damned business and your own damned expense.

If a member of my staff tried to claim nightclub entry as an expense, I'd laugh them out of the room.

Same here. I'm fairly well paid, work for a large IT firm and we've got a strict set of expense rules.

We can expense one alcoholic meal with a dinner, and we get a flat rate of £25 per day away to cover lunch/dinner. This isn't meant for wining and dining colleagues. You should be perfectly capable of spending £5 on lunch and £20 on dinner in most places.

Expenses are meant to be reasonable. Nightclub entry? Honestly?

Andy_L

takman wrote: »

So why can't you do that when your working away???? Just take some drink with you or get it from a supermarket local to where your working and take it back to the hotel?

because many of the places I worked at/were accommodated at were:
in the 'rse-end of nowhere
had to eat out of the hotel because it was over the meal limit or didn't do food
No fridge or ice

Lavendyr

Private sector again and £30 for a meal including drinks. Overnight stay plus breakfast. Lunch isn't covered. Mileage and travel. You have an unbelievably generous company which is way outside the norm. Your partner's expense cover is more than reasonable.

LadyMcFinch

I'm in the civil service and my department gets £20 for a 24 hour stint away from home. Receipts have to be provided for anything claimed for, and you can't claim for alcohol. You can claim up to £5 for 'incidentals' which I assume covers toiletries but I've never thought to try it.

You can claim mileage for up to 80 miles in your own car, if you're doing more than that you can hire a car and the Department pays for the hire and petrol.

I find £20 plenty, especially when a hotel has breakfast included - usually the Travelodge 'unlimited' breakfast

asajj

SuzieSue wrote: »

Well, I hope that they are declaring all the expenses which aren't "wholly, exclusively and necessarily" incurred in the performance of your job to HMRC as either you or they should be paying tax on them.

I very much doubt that HMRC would agree that unlimited drinks and night clubs were allowable for tax.

They don't have to declare the expenses. Some companies will cover the cost themselves, from the budget. It won't be tax allowable.

I work for a large company too and every expense should be justified and reasonable. Your company is an exception. Your wife's isn't.

SuzieSue

asajj wrote: »

They don't have to declare the expenses. Some companies will cover the cost themselves, from the budget. It won't be tax allowable.

.

Client entertaining won't be allowable for corporation tax, but if his company is paying for their staff to go to night clubs and for unlimited alcoholic drinks then the company or the employees will have to pay tax on it so it will need to be declared to HMRC.

leslieknope

my friend works for a private company who are extremely generous with expenses - but even he can't claim for nightclubs and booze. they are not necessary expenses. and why should your employer pay for your relaxation? wouldd you expect them to pay for your relaxation at home? they compensate you for your travel and accomodation expenses so you are no worse off than before.

incidentally i work for the public sector and i get £20 & one NON alcoholic drink for overnighters. i also used to work in a hotel years ago and any company stays (public or private) were not allowed to spend their dinner allowance on alcohol. you are still representing your company. and i don't expect my taxes to be wasted in a nightclub, by a council worker or an MP.

tea_lover

I work in the private sector and work away a lot (most weeks). We can claim legitimate expenses only, and there are limits in place for meals, accommodation etc. We can't claim alcohol or tobacco (neither are applicable for me so not an issue, but I wouldn't think it was appropriate to claim drinks even if I did drink).

Our evening meal budget is £15 but it's rare for anyone to claim more than about £5.

Any claims for toiletries etc would be laughed at.