Tax & Accounting News

Tax-free boost for business meals

08/04/2009

Self-employed people will be able to claim tax relief on the cost of meals while travelling on business, under new tax rules coming into force on 6 April 2009.

The change means that where tax relief is claimed for business travel costs, it can also be claimed for the cost of food and drink purchased during the business travel.

Those to benefit will be self-employed people, including those in partnerships, whose business is “itinerant”, for example a self-employed salesperson or where the person is travelling to somewhere other than they would normally for work.

HM Revenue & Customs changed its guidance at the end of last year, ahead of the change in regulations, which suggests that subsistence claims can be made for tax years open at the end of 2008.

It is also worth remembering that you can also claim for your own eating out if you are entertaining clients in the course of businesses. Asking for a separate bill for your own food and drink, if possible, will help. You can also reclaim the VAT on your share of the meal.

For more information, please contact us.

 

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