As the seven day countdown to the self assessment deadline of 31 January begins, HMRC has published a list of what it describes as the top five most spurious personal expenses claims included in last year’s tax returns, ranging from the costs of keeping chocolate treats cold to purchases of second-hand cars
According to HMRC, a taxpayer filling in the forms for the 2013-14 self assessment process attempted to claim for the costs for storing Mars bars overnight in a fridge.
Personal health was also a popular choice for claims, with one taxpayer asking to offset the cost of a pair of flip flops so he or she did not have to walk barefoot between changing and shower rooms at work, while another wanted to claim the costs for intimate waxing.
A fellow optimist sought to claim for a second hand car purchased to get from home to work without walking, while another claimant reported buying their own flat and therefore needing to claim back the money spent on the furniture.
Ruth Owen, HMRC director general of personal tax, said: ‘There are a number of items and expenses that people can claim against, such as genuine business costs and items needed to do a job. But a painful beauty regime or the furniture for your own home are not items that every taxpayer in the country should be contributing towards.
‘It’s wrong that a small minority of people expect the honest majority to subsidise their lifestyle and HMRC will never allow for these to be processed as genuine claims.’
HMRC is reminding people that there is now only one week left to submit an online tax return, and pay any money owed to HMRC to avoid a £100 late return penalty. The deadline is 31 January 2016.
It has also released guidance for anyone affected by the recent severe floods across Cumbria and elsewhere, with details of how to negotiate a deferral for tax returns before the end January deadline, particularly for those facing serious flood damage including ruined and lost documents to support tax returns. Read HMRC flood damage support here
Sign up to our newsletter
If you would like to receive regular news alerts about breaking news and developments in tax, accounting and audit, sign up to receive our free newsletter here
