Mobile worker food expenses tax rebate.

petros1992

I work for a housing association as a mobile electrician. Some of my co workers have made a tax claim through a refunds company but they take 20-25% of the claim as a fee.
I have looked into doing this myself but my claim was rejected by the tax office.
It looks like I have to register for self assessment then put the claim in. I have looked at this on the tax office website but because I'm employed and not earning over a certain amount it looks like I don't meet any of the conditions required.
I was wondering if anyone knows of a step by step guide on how to do this or could give me advice about it themselves, i.e. registering for self assessment and then making the claim.
Thanks in advance for any help received.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

It is likely that wishing to make this claim means you do meet the criteria for completion of a tax return.

How much do you plan on claiming for a single tax year?

Out of interest why do you think you are eligible to claim these expenses against your tax liability?

sheramber

If you are an employee you cannot register as self employed.

While your friends have had a tax refund , if the claims are investigated and found to be invalid they will have to repay the money.

However, they will have to make up the 20%-25% shortfall out of their own pocket. The refund company will not be contributing anything.

Grumpy_chap

Be aware that what sometimes happens with the tax claim companies is:
1. They lodge a claim (whether valid or not)
2.  HMRC pay the tax back.
3.  Claim company keep 25%
4.  HMRC then audit the claim and decide the tax was due after all
5.  HMRC send you a bill for 100%

Dazed_and_C0nfused

And interest (always)

And a penalty (sometimes).

Jeremy535897

There seems to be a misconception here. Firstly, the advice OP quotes about having to register as self employed is wrong, as other posters have pointed out. However, there are certain circumstances where an employee may claim for travel and subsistence costs that are not reimbursed by the employer. For more information, see:
https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/employment-income-manual/eim31815 and other sections in this section of the manual.

I would assume that OP has misinterpreted a statement that he needs a government gateway account to claim (as presumably no tax return is completed) as a requirement to register as self employed. I suggest OP goes here:
https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/travel-and-overnight-expenses

and works through all the questions. Options are discussed here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-income-tax-relief-for-your-employment-expenses-p87#claim-online

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Maybe the op has amended the original post as it only refers to registering for Self Assessment now not self employment.

Self Assessment is quite likely the correct route for employment expenses.

Jeremy535897

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

Maybe the op has amended the original post as it only refers to registering for Self Assessment now not self employment.

Self Assessment is quite likely the correct route for employment expenses.

The P87 route should suffice, as referred to in my post.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Jeremy535897 said:

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

Maybe the op has amended the original post as it only refers to registering for Self Assessment now not self employment.

Self Assessment is quite likely the correct route for employment expenses.

The P87 route should suffice, as referred to in my post.

That is only for claims under £2,500 though.

I suspect the op was trying to claim more than that.

Jeremy535897

£2,500 a year is quite a lot, but if you are correct, self assessment is the only option.

petros1992

I have tried the P87 form but my claim was rejected as I filled in the figures wrong. I didn't realise that I had to do the calculation and only put the amount of the rebate which is £458 for each of the years.
The letter states that if I don't agree with the decision that I have to complete a self assessment tax return for each of the years.
Does anyone have any advice on how to do this.