The taxman enjoys a far more
generous expenses policy than
ordinary taxpayers, it has been
claimed.
Brighton-based accountancy firm
UHY Hacker Young says that its
research has revealed that employees
at Revenue and Customs do not have
to provide receipts for certain
amounts and can claim for expenses
not actually incurred.
It also claims that Revenue staff are
told not to disclose their expenses policy,
even though it is not confidential
information.
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Richard Simmons, partner at UHY
Hacker Young, said: "Accountants
who frequently face the Revenue's
challenges over expenses of as little as
£10 will find it a little ironic that (the
department) itself runs such a liberal
no questions asked' system for its
own employees." The firm points out
that Revenue employees are given a
£100 allowance for an overnight stay
in a London hotel, which doesn't need
to be supported by a receipt.
Other claims that don't need
receipts include £20 for an evening
meal while away overnight, £6.50 for a
meal when out of the office for more
than five hours and £14 for two meals
when out of the office for more than
ten hours.
Even if Revenue employees choose
to stay with friends or family on an
overnight business trip they can
claim £25 despite not spending any
money.
UHY Hacker Young also claims
that, in the manual they are given,
Revenue employees are told that:
"Although they are not confidential,
you should not publicise rates and
allowances used by the civil service in
relation to expenses."
Mr Simmons said: "There is no logical
basis to this restriction, and it just
illustrates the Revenue's unbalanced
approach to dealing with dispensations
within its organisation and
towards other employers.
"As the Revenue has such a relaxed
policy about their employees'
expenses, we think it would be appropriate
for them to take a more understanding
approach when dealing with
the issue with other employers."
UHY Hacker Young is accusing the
Revenue of double standards because
earlier this year it announced it would
be clamping down on limited dispensations
that some employers had been
granted. This could include the retrospective
revoking of the right to
accept some expenses claims without
invoices.
A spokeswoman for the Revenue
admitted staff received expenses even
when staying with friends or family
but denied any double standards.
She said: "Our staff are required to
keep receipts for all claimed expenditure
over £10. Our staff only stay in
hotels when there is an unavoidable
business need and the upper ceiling
for central London hotels is £100.
"When staff lodge with friends or
relatives they will still incur minor
costs. Whenever staff are required to
visit a temporary workplace on official
business they can claim travel
and subsistence expenses in accordance
with detailed departmental
guidance and within approved
expense limits to ensure they are not
out of pocket."
Posted by: albert hall, Sussex on 4:56pm Wed 30 Apr 08
MP's "expenses" do not have to be produced - as yet. Euro Ministers have the same privilege, Why should not all goverment employees not do the same.
The country is full of money. If is runs short you can always tax the poor. Put up fuel prices, borrow it from the Bank of England, run the money printing presses on night shift, cheat our armed forces, or nick from our struggling pensioners
This is gravy train Britain.
MP's "expenses" do not have to be produced - as yet. Euro Ministers have the same privilege, Why should not all goverment employees not do the same.
The country is full of money. If is runs short you can always tax the poor. Put up fuel prices, borrow it from the Bank of England, run the money printing presses on night shift, cheat our armed forces, or nick from our struggling pensioners
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