Is Hotel, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner claimed back 100% when contracting?

JamesFuller

Hello all,

When contracting can you claim back Hotel stay, breakfast, lunch, and dinner 100%?

I know this has to be reasonable amount, say £70 a night, £20 for dinner, £5 lunch etc but just want a confirmation on if this is paid back 100% by expense it back to your own Ltd company.

This work is 150 miles away from home and because of that have to stay over.

Might be a stupid question but don't know so asking.

Wyndham

You offset it against tax, so it depends on your tax rate. But no, you don't actually get 100% back in your pocket.

You need to do some more research on this - the rules have tightened quite a lot this tax year and you need to understand what you can, and cannot, claim.

I have contracted, but do it in a different way - I've rented a property then as been home on a weekend I've also been able to claim for travel costs. My rent was tax deductible for the days I worked (even though still payable over the weekend, but cheaper than a hotel overall for the month), and my travel was deductible even for the times I took first class on trains (sometimes cheaper than standard class). But all of it was only against the tax allowances, so not the full amount (though still worth having).

I did used to claim lunch, but don't anymore, I don't think I can. And as I've rented rather than being in a hotel, I've not even tried for breakfast and dinner. I'm sure others will be able to advise.

JamesFuller

Hi,

The contract just started and will be less than 24 months.

The work is mixed between working from home and office site. Office 4 days a week, work from home 1 day a week.

I was under the impression i could claim it back as long as it is reasonable and within the time limits and situation above.

Wyndham

You've also asked this before, and had answers. I'm now regretting that I took time out of my evening to bother to reply to you.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5745966

GET AN ACCOUNTANT AND FOLLOW THEIR ADVICE!!!!!

jobbingmusician

Remember that the tax free amount is supposed to reimburse you towards the EXTRA costs of having to live away from home. This doesn't have much effect on dinner or breakfast, but most office workers have to buy lunch, so I think it's stretching credulity to claim this back 100%. Personally I would forgo any claim for lunch, and maybe claim back 100% of breakfast (if I ate it. I don't) and dinner. Then if you ever *were* challenged, you can point out that obviously you are forced to buy lunch out rather than packing a healthy salad from home, but you haven't claimed for that, only for the other meals.

(Now irritated that I have wasted my time, seeing that you have posted before)

sangie595

Wyndham wrote: »

GET AN ACCOUNTANT AND FOLLOW THEIR ADVICE!!!!!

OP ^^^This^^^

You have been told to get an accountant for your "friend" multiple times now. You said he had got one. That is either not true, or he has the stupidest accountant on earth. It does not matter whether people here can answer the questions - you have no idea whether the advice is correct or not, and when the taxman comes after you/your friend, they won't accept "a complete stranger on an anonymous website told me this" as an excuse for whatever you have screwed up.

DCFC79

You seem to be asking alot of questions for this "friend", Im starting to wonder if you Ja,es is the friend, afterall why not have your friend ask any questions on here himself.