ESM3168 - How to work out the deemed payment: Step Seven - relief for expense met by the worker - example

Periods up to 5 April 2002

The expenses allowed at Step Three are those met by the intermediary in the year. “Met” means only those expenses incurred and paid for by the intermediary. It does not include expenses that the worker meets personally and for which he or she is then reimbursed by the intermediary.

However, where a worker meets an expense and is then reimbursed by the company it is likely that a deduction will be available at Step Seven. This will be the case provided the amount reimbursed is chargeable to tax under Schedule E, although relief may be given under Section 198 ICTA 1988, or some other section.

Example

Ms H provides engineering services through her personal service company, H services Ltd, to a car manufacturer for 18 months in circumstances where the engagement is caught by the rules. She is a director of her company. Ms H has to provide her services at the client’s premises and travels from her home each day by train. She buys a season ticket costing £1,000 in respect of her travel and is subsequently reimbursed by the company for this amount.

Ms H is chargeable to tax under Schedule E on the amount of £1,000. She is also permitted a deduction under Section 198 of the same amount in assessing those emoluments. No deduction is given at Step Three since the intermediary did not meet the expense. However, a deduction is given at Step Seven since the payment is chargeable to income tax under Schedule E, although a deduction is given under Section 198.

The overall effect is to achieve the same result as if the company had met the expense.

Periods on or after 6 April 2002

A deduction is given at Step Three for certain expenses met by the worker and reimbursed by the intermediary - see ESM3162.