Tax and Travel

[phant1m]

Hi guys

so wanted to ask and see if anyone can help me out a bit with extra info. So i know with a car if you dont get travel allowance and have a logbook you can claim back, i wanted to know if plane tickets undertaken for work can also be claimed? or other travel expenses?

Thinking of getting a logbook for my car, as I do use it for work on occasion and might see some benefit in it.

 

[saor]

Wouldn't this be specific to your employer / contract?

 

[Arthur]

Yes, local and international travel can be claimed as business expense - provided it really is. SARS might well ask you to prove it, if audited.

SARS even publish a per diem allowance list for most countries, indicating the max tax-free subsistence allowance that can be claimed by an individual.

 

[Willie Trombone]

Hi guys

so wanted to ask and see if anyone can help me out a bit with extra info. So i know with a car if you dont get travel allowance and have a logbook you can claim back, i wanted to know if plane tickets undertaken for work can also be claimed? or other travel expenses?

Thinking of getting a logbook for my car, as I do use it for work on occasion and might see some benefit in it.

Are you employed by a local (SA) firm? Or are you a consultant for a foreign firm?
I'm curious as to why you wouldn't claim the full purchase price of the ticket from your firm, or do they expect you to cover that expense? Or was this to get to a job interview perhaps?

 

[phant1m]

Just curiosity. not saying it is or isnt happening. Just trying to get a full understanding of how travel works with regards to tax implications.

Obviously the company would cover flights etc but if i took a flight and the company didnt cover it would I be able to get any tax claim on it? Just to get an understanding on the topic.

 

[Arthur]

Of course. If the expense is in the production of income it is a business expense in your P&L Private travel is of course not a business expense, and SARS has long ago ruled that commuting to and from your usual place of work is private travel.

 

[Hamish McPanji]

Yes, local and international travel can be claimed as business expense - provided it really is. SARS might well ask you to prove it, if audited.

SARS even publish a per diem allowance list for most countries, indicating the max tax-free subsistence allowance that can be claimed by an individual.

What if your per diem allowance is actually included in your salary, not as an extra item on your payslip. Can that be claimed back ?

 

[Willie Trombone]

What if your per diem allowance is actually included in your salary, not as an extra item on your payslip. Can that be claimed back ?

If they include it as part of a "cash component" then it's income and not an allowance. Are you self employed or employed by a domestic firm? Of it's the latter then get them to get their act together so you can reduce your tax and claim subsistence allowance.