10th February 2011, 07:00 PM
Wax Wrote:As I said at the begining I may be wrong on this
No Wax i think you are pretty close to the correct interpretation.
I enquired of the tax office anumber of years back whether I could claim travelling expenses incurred at work if my employer did not reimburse me. (this was whilst I was on PAYE and not self-employed). I was told if I had to go to my office/place of work in the morning, I couldn't claim the cost of travel. However if I then incurred expenses travelling from my office to other sites AND my employer did not reimburse me for that travel, I could legitimately claim that as a travel expense. BUT at the same time they told me. If my employer paid for the cost of travel between my house and the office (even if that travel was 'free' i.e a lift to work) that was a benefit for which Icould be liable for tax. I mean that seemed pretty straight forward to me, but of course unless the taxman picks you up on it, it isn't one of the things you want to advertise.
The problem with the accomodation/tax expense shocker a couple of years back was that nobody told any of us poor sods caught out by the Revenue that the accomodation we had gratefully received for all those weeks/months etc should have been taxed so it was a bit of shock to suddenly find a big deduction as the tax man claimed his money back. I suspect that a malicious tax official could do the same with the 'free' travel to work perk if they wished. Which is why it would be good to get the matter resolved, but I suspect it will not be to most peoples benefit.....
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...