A client had a change of vehicle and is missing 6 months of fuel receipts, he left them in the glove compartment. The majority of his fuel receipts have always been paid cash so impossible to know exactly what would have been spent.
unfortunately if it cannot be evidenced then it didn't happen.
Even if they had paid the petrol station by card how could it be shown that the payment does not include confectionary, periodicals, a barberque set (still no idea why motorway service stations sell those????).
Mileage is so much simpler but they also cannot claim that as if they have been claiming for petrol they can only change the method on change of vehicle.
Sounds as though this may be an expensive mistake with their paperwork.
Interested to read others views.
Shaun.
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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.
Agree with Shaun, how do you prove the expenses without the evidence to back it up.
First thing that would be asked is "Where did the cash come from?"
Could you maybe go by the odometer, from the last Service/MOT until the day the vehicle was sold which would have had the mileage logged, still cannot claim the .45p as Shaun says but could you see how many miles to the gallon and work out the cost that way minus personal use of course, then look to the other 6 months to see if this roughly works out, and also the final total compared to other years, I would only go down this route if I knew the client and they seemed genuine, as well as knowing in the event of a HMRC enquiry I was happy that I could argue the case and win.
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Doug
These are only my opinions of how I see things and therefore should not be taken as advice
I would definitely say, no receipts no claim, especially seen as he pays everything in cash. It will teach him a lesson. Maybe if he uses his Van/Car alot suggest a fuel card, that way they invoice him once a month, especially if it is all business mileage?..... If there is a lot of personal mileage then a fuel card wouldn't really work.
Hard lesson to learn but certainly a good one to learn!
To add my tuppenys worth I wouldn't have allowed either.
Once had a client tell me he had £5000 worth of fuel to claim. Fine I said, let me see the receipts. Er, I've lost them. Oh dear, I said, that's a shame.
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John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
