Expenses for conferences

[Alext333]

Hi,

We have a lot of conferences to attend next year. We are consultants within our industry (health), we therefore need to keep our knowledge up-to-date. We are lucky as we can normally attend for free, on a press pass and will write a few articles on the covered topics.

Therefore, we have two professional reasons to attend conferences. However, these conferences can be anywhere in the world. And we are not keen to travel so far without spending some time seeing the place.

How would this work for tax purposes? What can or can't be claimed for? I guess we'd be travelling as Journalists more than consultants.

Thanks

 

[STDFR33]

You don’t say who ‘you’ are. Company, partnership etc.

You also don’t provide enough information. Particularly on ‘without spending some time seeing the place’.

This is a question probably best directed at your accountant.

 

[Alext333]

We are a Limited company. And it would be to spend a few days sightseeing.

 

[STDFR33]

It seems that the conference would actually be incidental to the sightseeing. You may find that you have a taxable benefit.

 

[Alext333]

What does that mean? Naturally we wouldn't attempt to claim anything back that involved personal time.

 

[Mr D]

What does that mean? Naturally we wouldn't attempt to claim anything back that involved personal time.

The purpose of your trip. Business, pleasure, or both?

 

[Darren C]

How would this work for tax purposes? What can or can't be claimed for? I guess we'd be travelling as Journalists more than consultants.

It's tax deductible for business purposes. BUT, you have to accept that someone from hmrc may decide to question you about this anytime they choose (usually they wait a couple of years hoping you have forgot little things like receipts).

I have found that people exploiting this loophole are already quite wealthy and take the view that if they get caught out they don't really care.

If you are not in this league, tread carefully because a back payment demand might hurt you a lot.

If, however, you genuinely can separate business/pleasure expenditure I don't think you have anything to worry about?

 

[UK Contractor Accountant]

There is nothing wrong with doing a bit of sightseeing during the down time of a business trip abroad. Provided the primary purpose of the trip is business then you should have no problem with the trip cost being an tax deductible cost for the company with no benefit in kind declaration required for the employee/Directors.

If you extend your stay by a few days for sightseeing this does not mean the orginal cost the of the trip is disallowed. You just have to make sure you pay back the private element relating to the extension or pay for it out of your own pocket.

 

[Alext333]

Thanks guys. Will be strict on making sure nothing personal is ever claimed