18th August 2007, 09:16 PM
Distance has nothing to do with it. Key is where is your contractual place of work - it is very certainly and firmly against HMRC rules to pay people to travel between their home and normal place of work.
I think for simplicity for many archaeological companies the designated place of work is usually the hq, with corporate transport (van, minibus or four-wheel drive or the like)transport provided from there to their various sites, with mileage expenses then paid to people if they are asked and agree to use their own vehicle for work purposes. If you choose to live at distance from the corporate centre or choose not to travel to the central place where transport is provided from you can't expect them to fork out for you to get there as well.
For 'away' work (ie where you have to stay away), again transport is usually provided on same basis - if you then choose to take your own vehicle as a supplementary for your own convenience, that is your choice but you can't expect to be paid expenses for that.
Finally, if you do work-related driving in your own vehicle (eg going on site visits, watching briefs, SMR visits or the like), then you should be getting mileage expenses. The level of mileage paid per mile is agreed with HMRC and capped at a level whher it is not considered 'profitable' by HMRC and hence not taxable for the employee. There is no scheme for employers to claim mileage back against tax.
Hope that explains a bit
I think for simplicity for many archaeological companies the designated place of work is usually the hq, with corporate transport (van, minibus or four-wheel drive or the like)transport provided from there to their various sites, with mileage expenses then paid to people if they are asked and agree to use their own vehicle for work purposes. If you choose to live at distance from the corporate centre or choose not to travel to the central place where transport is provided from you can't expect them to fork out for you to get there as well.
For 'away' work (ie where you have to stay away), again transport is usually provided on same basis - if you then choose to take your own vehicle as a supplementary for your own convenience, that is your choice but you can't expect to be paid expenses for that.
Finally, if you do work-related driving in your own vehicle (eg going on site visits, watching briefs, SMR visits or the like), then you should be getting mileage expenses. The level of mileage paid per mile is agreed with HMRC and capped at a level whher it is not considered 'profitable' by HMRC and hence not taxable for the employee. There is no scheme for employers to claim mileage back against tax.
Hope that explains a bit