[Clive McDonald]

Ewan,
we can put whatever we like on our tax forms. including this, but if you were investigated or queried and don't work away this would be disallowed. That's just a fact.

I don't think you would get into trouble because you genuinely believe this to be okay, which it isn't, so you would just have to pay back the money for however many years you've been doing it. I doubt there would be a fine.

If you did it knowingly, or you can prove you work away, then these would be different situations.Hope this helps

[davids3511]

Basically Ewan, you cannot claim as you have suggested. You can go ahead and do it but if HMRC ever come knocking you will be viewed as not having made a mistake but as being involved in tax evasion. HMRC have already had a guy to court over this in, a Mr Quinn in 1975 - www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/BIM37920.htm

and for more general HMRC rules on the subject -
 
www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/BIM47705.htm

Old news, good that you are starting to look

Easy to be flippant, show me the new rules on the HMRC website.

[davids3511]

its time to leave ewan alone..... yes he is over confident, but his posts are positive, and he has a plan....good luck to him!   ... i much prefer to read positive thoughts , rather than the "its raining or im too cheap, etc"

this theread is doing my nut in

You are right really but think of the trouble this bad advise could cause for somebody unaware how unreliable this info is. Someone could go years following Ewans advise and get stung.

[Neil Williams]

Just because an accountant says it's ok doesn't mean the IR will see it that way.
Your accounts without anyone looking at them might well get rubber stamped as ok this year, next year and possible for a third year. BUT if on the 4th year you're the unlucky b--gger who's turn it is to be randomly checked and they decide that take away sarnies wasn't allowed, then they're going to through your accounts for that year and previous years with a fine toothcombe, by which point what else 'could' you decide might be ok to get away with.
This is why some of us are concerned about what 'newbies' will see as ok to claim as expenditure.
A business expenditure is something that is relevant to the running of that business.
In this scenario, if you'd had a decent breakfast before going off to work then in real terms you wouldn't have needed to buy food at midday. Then when you get home you could have had a full dinner.
Again a newby might read 'takeaway sarnies' as I take an hour for lunch so bought a newspaper too, and drink, and ? and? and? Where would it end?

[Wayne Thomas]

May pay to buy tax fee protection service that will pay towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM revenue & customs full enquiry or dispute. Designed to combat the costs and inequities of undergoing the ever increasing number of HM revenue & customs random investigations.

[David Slater]

Sensible post Discount, in part you almost sound like the accountant.

I won’t go into detail, “reasonable” and “records” are important and it won’t matter if the accounts are looked at. As everything is above board and permitted.

It’s your business, think for yourself and don’t listen to scare tactics and misunderstood advice.

 

Ewan, you need to go into detail to get the correct answer!

The whole point is DETAIL

If you're just generally wondering whether other window cleaners claim meal allowances then I suspect some would quite rightly say yes, and some would say no.

Its the DETAIL that matters when speaking to, or dealing with HMRC

Case 1:
Guy lives in Birmingham and travels to London for 2 days work. He stays in a hotel and claims an allowance for meals.

Case 2:
Guy lives in Birmingham and spends his 8 hours working in and around the town. He returns home at 5pm

Do you see how different rules will apply to each case?

If not, why not claim the price of a Travel Lodge each and every day you sleep at home as well?

You have this strange habit of keeping things a 'bit of a mystery' when presented with differing views.

As I have already clearly stated, if your round is 'local' (and yes, I did give you a clear definition of my interpretation) then you're on to a loser.

If on the other hand, you work away regularly then it would be an acceptable expense (for the days you worked away).

If you spoke to your accountant in the vague manner you have shown on this discussion, then I am not surprised you have been led up a blind alley.

So what position are we talking about EXACTLY Ewan? working away and claiming meal or 'local' and claiming meals?

The answer to this question will have an impact on the advice you will receive from an accountant.

...and yes, I do use a firm of chartered accountants and yes, I have discussed (at length) this very subject.....and still managed to fall foul of HMRC!!

[ftp]

Jeez Ewan why don't you become a politician - i've never read so much squirming drivel since i've been on this forum.  :

The title you put was SNACKS not expenses or meals whilst entertaining clients - SNACKS!

[David Slater]

So I take it your another one who’s working for yourself or running a business and can’t distinguish what drivel is but is able to write it.

 :

So Ewan,

Would you like to enlighten me of the finer DETAILS of how you came to your conclusion that your are allowed to claim meals?

You still havent actually said clearly what grounds you are using for this allowance - working away? unsocial hours? local work but you think you can?

Come on Ewan, stop beating about the bush and spit it out. This obviously isnt a hypothetical question or situation. You have received professional advice and I would be very interested (a I'm sure would many others) on the DETAILS of how and why your accountant came to his conclusions.

1. What did you tell him?
2. What did you ask him?
3. What did he ask you?
4. What did he tell you?

I am ready to listen Ewan. If you (or anybody else) can show me that what you are saying is correct or have received professional advice that says the same, the we could ALL claim meals and you would be owed a great big thank you from everbody.....surely thats what these boards are about, helping each other?

Unless of course, its another 'big secret' and you wont (or cant) elaborate.

Yes, I did fall foul of HMRC. I make no bones about it and explained the situation clearly in this topic.

I shared that experience/knowledge freely to HELP others who may stray into this situation.

Will you do the same Ewan? 

 

[peter holley]

G U L P

[mr D]

i love penut butter on whole meal bread. mmmm

also two bannas and a pint of milk. double mmmm

if i've trained the night b4 o often have a whole chicken from tescos for lunch. if you get there after lunch time there often reduced!!!

now theres a tip and a half for ya.

[ftp]

Where's Jeremy Paxman when you need him?  :

[ftp]

  Ewan/Davo no, not a cowboy i just find seven pages of garbage difficult to believe when a couple of posts would have sufficed, just admit your not sure if you can claim for snacks. We've had a look at the taxmans website and to most of us it would appear that you can't claim for snacks.

[WCE]

Is this post still going on. Ewan, instead of whining on why don't you do as was suggested and give us some proof.  If you cant find any then give it a rest. I am sorry to say I dont think you are right with what you are claiming and I have never heard of anyone claiming for local work. Think about it you've got a job at tesco. Do you get any tax breaks regarding food there? No. Exactly. Ether prove us all wrong or accept that you may of been given poor advice.

[Oakley Windows]

Is this post still going on. Ewan, instead of whining on why don't you do as was suggested and give us some proof.  If you cant find any then give it a rest. I am sorry to say I dont think you are right with what you are claiming and I have never heard of anyone claiming for local work. Think about it you've got a job at tesco. Do you get any tax breaks regarding food there? No. Exactly. Ether prove us all wrong or accept that you may of been given poor advice.

He accused someone else on here earlier of being like a dog with a bone.

[WCE]

if you want proof because you think HMRC are lying to you, go and get some professional advice.

But if you take your comments posted on here with you, the accountant will think you are a complete Tw*t.

 

Ewan, is that bit aimed at me? If it is then you misunderstand. I dont think they are lying I just think the advice you have been given is wrong. I think that you should get confirmation from them in writing that what you have been told is correct that way you will avoid any future problems. When you get the letter post it on here and like I said if your right it could benefit us all. The other option is to ignore all us doubters though if you do then all fool you.   

[David Slater]

Looks like you’re back peddling anyway, as now you acknowledge you can have an expense account for this. Let people make up there own minds (if there able)

Never said anything different my friend. Check back on my posts - I always said (very clearly) that you would be allowed 'meal allowances' if you worked away.


Come on Ewan, just post up the actual advice you were given.

...It cant be that hard can it?  

[WCE]

No offence but you just wont listen! Yes ok you got the advice from your accountant but he could be wrong. I once had an issue with the HMRC where they couldn't give me a receipt for a payment. When I asked them how I account for the money they responded with "Thats your problem we are not accountants" They will stitch you up if it suit them believe me. Get confirmation in writing that what you have been advised is true or when it turns out that someone (your accountant or them) misunderstood your circumstances then it will be be you in the firing line not them.     

[WCE]

No offence but you just wont listen! Yes ok you got the advice from your accountant but he could be wrong. I once had an issue with the HMRC where they couldn't give me a receipt for a payment. When I asked them how I account for the money they responded with "Thats your problem we are not accountants" They will stitch you up if it suit them believe me. Get confirmation in writing that what you have been advised is true or when it turns out that someone (your accountant or them) misunderstood your circumstances then it will be be you in the firing line not them.     

Point noted and thanks,

I will make (more) mistakes no doubt but I am attempting to do this properly and if I am entitled to this expenses, then I will argue with HMRC as well, it’s just my nature, if I’m right they can go and Fu*ck themselves.

 

Yes but what if your wrong? Could all end in tears

[David Slater]

You have realised I hope, none of your arguments against this are with me there with HMRC and

Bit late to start back-pedalling now boy (your phrase not mine  )

No back peddling at all, I’m not so arrogant I wont listen to a another person entirely just because I disagree on a issue.

So....

Are you going to post up the actual advice your accountant gave you or not?

[David Slater]

I did ask the accountant, they said your businesses will have to be taken on there own merit as to how much you can put in for this expense.

So that was the professional "advice" which you've been arguing for 7 pages over that leads you to think it will be OK?


Hahahahaha...