I have been my clients Bookkeeper for almost 2 years and know his business well. Just recently, he has been spending alot of time working in the pub instead of the office and putting all of the expenses through for both food and hot/cold drinks although not alcohol. He spends all of Monday there with his staff in various meetings and also when he needs to go and concentrate.
I'm not sure how much of this can legally go through as there is no reason why he can't stay in the office, he just chooses not to. If subsistance rules are £5.00 if out for 5 hours or more, are Mondays ok but the rest of the vists aren't? Or as the pub is less than a mile away, can it be claimed at all?
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
don't envy you as clients seem to justify in their minds no matter what they do.
The foundations of your conversation need to be based around the fact that it is not subsistance to pop to the pub for the day. Why should he be compensated by the tax system for eating a meal a mile from his desk.
Of course, as its Christmas and those nice people at HMRC deserve a laugh every now and again why not get him to give them a call about a dispensation. lol. If he's lucky and they've just got back from their Xmas party they may even give him one... Well, at least until they sober up anyway.
all the best,
Shaun. p.s. just realised that my Avatar looks as though I'm hanging out with your client!
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I've been looking for a link to HMRC guidelines but can't seem to find one. There are plenty from Accountants that have written blogs, but I don't think that this is going to cut it. In fairness to him, he has set the nominal alongside UK Entertainment and is not tax deductible and he doesn't reclaim the VAT. I'm sure he's going to see it as 'just another business expense'.
