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Working From Home Tax Relief 2026: What Finance Teams Need to Know

working from home tax reflief

From 6 April 2026, employees will no longer be able to claim working from home tax relief themselves. The government is removing the ability to claim relief on unreimbursed homeworking expenses, shifting responsibility away from individuals and towards employers. 

For most individual employees, the amounts involved might feel modest. But across a team, the impact adds up. And as the person responsible for keeping your organisation’s finances and people policies in order, this is one of those changes where getting ahead of it really matters. 

In practice, this shifts homeworking costs from an individual tax matter into an employer-controlled expense process. 

Here’s everything you need to know. 

What is the working from home tax relief? 

The working from home tax relief is a relief available through His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that allows employees to claim a tax deduction on additional household costs they incur while working from home. This isn’t about office rent or company equipment—it covers things like increased electricity bills, higher heating costs, and business-related phone calls that employees personally fund. 

The relief has been available in two forms: 

  • Flat rate: Employees could claim £6 per week (around £312 per year) without needing to keep receipts or provide detailed evidence. 
  • Actual costs: Employees with higher genuine costs could claim the real amount, provided they could evidence it properly. 

The flat-rate route became particularly popular during and after the pandemic, when homeworking became widespread. It was simple, accessible, and required minimal administration—which is partly why its removal is attracting attention. 

Why is it being changed? 

The government’s stated reason for the change is non-compliance. HMRC reviewed a significant number of claims and found that over half were ineligible—either because employees did not meet the qualifying criteria (for example, they chose to work from home rather than being required to) or because the claim was submitted incorrectly. 

In response, the government has decided to remove the ability for employees to claim relief on unreimbursed homeworking expenses altogether. From 6 April 2026, responsibility effectively shifts away from individual claims and towards employer-managed reimbursement, where applicable. 

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Key dates and who’s affected 

Here’s a timeline of all the changes you need to know and when they come into effect: 

Date  What happens 
Up to 5 April  Employees can still claim working from home tax relief for eligible costs 
6 April 2026 

Abolition takes effect, meaning individual employee claims are no longer permitted 

 

2025/26 tax year 

Last year employees can submit a valid claim (deadline: 31 January 2027 via Self Assessment, or via PAYE claim before year end) 

 

From 2026/27 onwards  No individual relief available, employer reimbursement becomes the primary route for relief 

Who’s most affected? 

Around 300,000 workers are expected to be affected by this change. For individuals, this effectively results in a tax increase of around £62 per year for basic-rate taxpayers and £124 for higher-rate taxpayers. 

Those who will feel this most are: 

  • Employees who are required to work from home as part of their role (and were legitimately claiming) 
  • Higher earners who were claiming at the 40% rate 
  • Basic-rate taxpayers who have been relying on the flat-rate allowance 

Those figures might not sound significant on their own, but when you factor in rising energy costs, higher national insurance contributions from April 2025, and the broader squeeze on take-home pay, employees are likely to notice. 

What this means for finance teams 

The reality is that while the individual relief is going, the underlying costs for employees aren’t. People working from home fll-time are still paying more for energy, broadband, and phone use. The question now is whether those costs remain with the employee, or whether you choose to step in. 

Employers can still reimburse genuine, work-related homeworking expenses without creating a tax liability, provided payments are reasonable, properly evidenced, and meet HMRC’s criteria. In practice, this shifts responsibility away from individual tax claims and towards employer-managed expense processes. 

This creates an opportunity to maintain goodwill with remote workers, stay compliant, and support homeworking in a structured way—but only if the right reimbursement approach is in place. 

Common pitfalls to watch out for 

This change may not have a significant impact per employee, so it’s an easy one to miss. Here are the most common mistakes to avoid: 

  • Assuming employees already know: Most people won’t have spotted this change, so you need to communicate proactively with any affected members of you team. 
  • Conflating employer reimbursement with the old relief: These are different things. And that’s why a clear internal policy needs to distinguish between the two. 
  • Reimbursing without a process: Ad-hoc reimbursements without receipts, approval workflows, or proper records create compliance risk. HMRC’s record keeping requirements are clear; the burden sits with the employer. 
  • Forgetting hybrid workers: If someone works three days at home and two in the office, do you reimburse proportionally? You’ll need a consistent answer. 
  • Overlooking the payroll connection: Any reimbursements need to flow through the right channels—ideally synced with payroll to avoid manual reconciliation further down the line. 

What to do next: a practical guide for finance teams 

Step 1: Audit your current position 

Find out how many of your employees are currently claiming working from home tax relief individually, and what their expectation is going forward. This might involve a quick survey or a conversation with your HR team. 

Step 2: Decide on your employer reimbursement approach 

You don’t have to reimburse employees for home working costs—but if you choose to, you’ll need to decide: 

  • What costs are covered (e.g. utilities, broadband, phone)? 
  • What rate or method you’ll use (flat rate per home-working day, or actual evidenced costs)? 
  • What the approval process looks like? 
  • How you’ll handle hybrid workers vs. full-time remote workers? 

The HMRC guidance on homeworking expenses sets out the tax-free limits and conditions, so it’s a good starting point. 

Step 3: Update your expense policy 

If you’re introducing or expanding employer reimbursements for home working costs, your expense policy needs to reflect that. Be specific about what is and isn’t included; vague policies lead to inconsistent claims, disputes, and compliance gaps. 

Step 4: Put a proper process in place 

Manual expense management—spreadsheets, paper receipts, email approvals—simply isn’t going to cut it for this. If employees are submitting home working expense claims, you need a system that captures the right information, routes it for approval, and keeps a full audit trail. That’s exactly what expense management software is designed to do. 

Step 5: Communicate clearly with employees 

Once your policy is set, communicate it before April 2026. Employees should know: 

  • That the individual tax relief is ending, 
  • Whether the company will reimburse home working costs, and how, 
  • How to submit a claim if applicable, 
  • And, what’s not covered. 

Step 6: Review your payroll integration 

Reimbursements that run through payroll need to be properly coded and processed. Make sure your finance and payroll teams are aligned and that any new expense flows are accounted for in your payroll process. If you’re using Cintra payroll software alongside Capture Expense, the integration between the two makes this considerably more straightforward. 

Take control of your expense process 

The working from home tax relief changes are a good prompt to step back and look at how your organisation manages employee expenses more broadly. If you’re still relying on manual processes, now’s the time to fix that. 

Capture Expense gives finance teams a clear, automated way to manage expense claims—from submission and approval through to reimbursement and reporting. Everything’s tracked, everything’s evidenced, and the audit trail is there if you ever need it. 

If you’d like to see how it works in practice, book a demo or take a look at the product tour at your own pace! 

Capture Expense Brochure

Unlock the power of real-time spending insights across your entire organisation. Dive into our brochure to discover how you can stay on top of reimbursements, bills, and credit card transactions as they happen, ensuring smarter financial decisions.

What are HMRC’s Overseas Subsistence Rates in 2026?

HMCR’s Overseas Subsistence Rates

The only thing better than an allexpensespaid business trip is an allexpensespaid business trip overseas.  
 
The food, the hotels, the opportunity to exploreit’s all part of the experience. 
 
If you’re new to overseas subsistence allowance, or you’ve never heard of HMRC’s overseas subsistence rates, you’re in good hands.  
 
We’ll provide you with the rates for 2026, how to use them to reimburse your employees, and some real-world examples.

What is an overseas subsistence allowance?

Overseas subsistence allowance refers to a payment or reimbursement provided to employees who are required to travel and work outside their home country.  
 
This allowance is intended to cover their daily living expenses, such as meals, accommodation, and other incidentals, while they’re on assignment abroad.  
 
The amount typically depends on the location, duration of the stay, and the employer’s travel expense policy or government regulations. 

When can you claim overseas subsistence allowance? 

You can claim overseas subsistence allowance when you’re travelling outside the UK for work purposes and your employer (or company, if you’re the employer) is satisfied that the trip is directly related to your job duties.  

It applies when you’re on official business abroad, like attending meetings, conferences, or completing work-related tasks. 

Every company will have their own guidelines and reimbursement processes, but generally speaking, you can claim overseas subsistence allowance when:  

  • Your employer approves the claim: meaning the trip must be pre-authorised by your employer (or company).
  • You provide receipts or documentation: meaning you may need to show proof of expenses—such as hotel bills, or meal receipts—to support your claim and make sure it aligns with company policies. 

Are there any exceptions?

Yes, there are some expenses it doesn’t cover.  

The overseas subsistence allowance is specifically designed to cover your accommodation and daily living expenses while you’re in the foreign country. However, it doesn’t include incidental expenses you might have along the way.

For example:

  • The cost of a taxi to the airport in the UK. 
  • Snacks or drinks you buy at the airport before your flight.  

If you have these kinds of expenses, your employer (or company) may be able to reimburse you separately, but they’re not included in HMRC’s overseas subsistence rates 

What are HMRC’s overseas subsistence rates? 

Here are HMRC’s overseas subsistence rates for some of the most popular destinations in 2026:  

Australia (Sydney)  

Subsistence type  Rate (AUD) 
Over 5 hours  57.50 
Over 10 hours  147.50 
24-hour rate  195 plus room rate 
Room rate  227 
Breakfast  38 
Lunch  51.50 
Dinner  84.50 
Other  0 
Drinks  11.50 
Hotel to office  9.50 
Total residual  195 

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Canada (Montreal)

Subsistence type  Rate (CAD) 
Over 5 hours  47 
Over 10 hours  119 
24-hour rate  156.50 plus room rate 
Room rate  223.50 
Breakfast  27.50 
Lunch  42 
Dinner  67 
Other  0 
Drinks  10 
Hotel to office  10 
Total residual  156.50 

France (Paris)

Subsistence type  Rate (EUR) 
Over 5 hours  40 
Over 10 hours  86.50 
24-hour rate  117 plus room rate 
Room rate  199.50 
Breakfast  24 
Lunch  35.50 
Dinner  42 
Other  0 
Drinks  9 
Hotel to office  6.50 
Total residual  117 

Hong Kong 

Subsistence type  Rate (HKD) 
Over 5 hours  292.50 
Over 10 hours  761.50 
24-hour rate  816.50 plus room rate 
Room rate  2,376.50 
Breakfast  0 
Lunch  253 
Dinner  429.50 
Other  0 
Drinks  79 
Hotel to office  55 
Total residual  816.50 

Singapore

Subsistence type  Rate (SGD) 
Over 5 hours  91.50 
Over 10 hours  206.50 
24-hour rate  218 plus room rate 
Room rate  318 
Breakfast  0 
Lunch  79 
Dinner  102.50 
Other  0 
Drinks  25 
Hotel to office  11.50 
Total residual  218 

United Arab Emirates (Dubai) 

Subsistence type  Rate (AED) 
Over 5 hours  161 
Over 10 hours  432 
24-hour rate  614.50 plus room rate 
Room rate  949.50 
Breakfast  127 
Lunch  139.50 
Dinner  250 
Other  23.50 
Drinks  42.50 
Hotel to office  32 
Total residual  614.50 

United States of America (Los Angeles)

Subsistence type  Rate (USD) 
Over 5 hours  28.50 
Over 10 hours  72 
24-hour rate  93 plus room rate 
Room rate  193 
Breakfast  12.50 
Lunch  24.50 
Dinner  40 
Other  0 
Drinks  7.50 
Hotel to office  8.50 
Total residual  93 

How to use HMRC’s overseas subsistence rates 

When it comes to HMRC’s overseas subsistence rates, you have a couple of options for paying your employees: 

  • You can pay the 24-hour rate for each complete period of 24 hours. This period starts when the employee arrives at their destination and ends when they leave. For example, if an employee arrives at the airport and starts their journey at 9am, they would be eligible for the 24-hour rate until 9am the next day, and so on.
  • You can pay for the accommodation (room rate) along with individual meal rates and other incurred expenses. 

What if your employee is away for less than 24 hours?

You can still use HMRC’s overseas subsistence rates. You’ll just have to divide the period into smaller segments.  

For example, if the period includes an overnight stay, you can pay the room rate, plus the over-5-hour or over-10-hour rates—depending on how long the employee was away. 

Some real-world examples

Let’s look at a couple examples of how you can use HMRC’s overseas subsistence rates to reimburse your employees’ accommodation and subsistence expenses for travel outside the UK. 

Singapore  

One of your employees (let’s call him Matt) goes on a business trip to Singapore. He stays in a hotel for two nights, on a room only basis (i.e., no meals are included). 

Matt arrives in Singapore at 3pm on Monday and leaves on a 9am flight on Wednesday.  

You may reimburse Matt’s subsistence expenses as follows:  

Period and rates  Amount (SGD) 
1 × 24-hour rate (3pm Monday to 3pm Tuesday)  218 plus room rate 
10-hour rate (3pm Tuesday to 9am Wednesday)  206.50 
Total  424.5 

Paris

Someone from your sales team (Sarah), spends a day in Paris for an important meeting. She arrives in Paris at 9am and leaves at 8pm. 

Based on HMRC’s overseas subsistence rates, you can reimburse Sarah’s expenses at the Paris rate of €86.50 (as the trip lasted more than 10 hours). 

If Sarah had left Paris between 2pm and 7pm, your reimbursement would have been limited to the over 5-hour rate: €40. 

Want to keep all your travel expenses in one place? 

Whether you want to track your subsistence allowances in the UK or overseas, Capture Expense will keep everything organised, and in one platform.  

Book a demo today to see how easy it is to submit, track, and manage your expenses—saving you time and keeping you compliant with HMRC’s overseas subsistence rates. 

Expense Compliance in the UK

The information you need to make sure your business complies with HMRC guidelines across policies, tax, reporting, allowances, and more—bridging the gap between in-depth explainers and those that lack the extra context you need!

A Guide to Expense Compliance in the UK

HMRC scrutiny isn’t getting lighter. And for many finance leaders, the real concern isn’t whether an enquiry will happen. It’s whether their processes would stand up to one.

And maybe that’s partly because expense compliance in the UK is complex, and can be time-consuming. But the trick is having a robust policy in place to make staying compliant just that little bit easier.

Now before you can create your company expense policy, and implement processes for complying with HMRC, you need to know what’s expected of you.

Let’s shine some light on the expense compliance areas to focus on to make sure you keep the taxman at bay. 

What do HMRC expect from you?

If you have an HMRC compliance check, they’ll review your entire expense compliance process for non-compliance with HMRC expense regulations.  
 
Their primary focus is to make sure that you have:  
 
• A clear and enforced policy  
Appropriate approval processes  
Comprehensive documentation  
Appropriate checks and controls  
Full compliance with Tax and VAT requirements  
• A robust and secure payment process

The VAT rates in the UK

VAT (or Value Added Tax) is a tax added to the price of most goods and services in the UK.

If you’re a business owner, you’ll need to register for VAT if your taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in a 12-month period. 

Once registered, you’ll charge VAT on your sales and reclaim the VAT you’ve paid on your purchases.  

Here are the VAT rates for 2026: 

  % of VAT  What the rate applies to 
Standard rate  20  Most goods and services 
Reduced rate  5  Some goods and services, e.g. children’s car seats and home energy 
Zero rate  0  Zero-rated goods and services, e.g. most food and children’s clothes 

Zero-rated vs exempt: what’s the difference?

Not all goods and services are treated the same for VAT.

  • Zero-rated items are still taxable, but at 0%. You must record them on your VAT return and can usually reclaim VAT on related costs.
  • Exempt items are not subject to VAT. You do not charge VAT, and you generally cannot reclaim VAT on costs related to these activities.

When you mustn’t charge VAT

There are certain goods and services that are exempt from VAT. This means you won’t charge VAT on these items—even if you’re VAT-registered.

Some examples of VAT-exempt items include:

  • Financial services: banking, insurance, investments. 
  • Healthcare and medical treatments: doctor’s visits, prescriptions. 
  • Education and training: school fees, university tuition. 
  • Charity services: charitable donations, fundraising events. 

You can also access HMRC’s full list of VAT exempt goods. 

Remember, even though you don’t charge VAT on these items, you still need to keep track of them in your business records. 

Expense compliance when it comes to vehicle mileage 

Did you know that your employees can claim back time spent traveling for work? 

That’s right, by following HMRC’s mileage rates, you can empower your employees to claim back vehicle expenses incurred for business purposes.

Here are the mileage allowance rates for 2026:

Type of vehicle  10,000 miles  10,000 + miles 
Cars and vans   45p  25p  
Motorcycles   24p  24p  
Bikes  20p   20p  

 What are HMRC’s advisory fuel rates?

HMRC’s advisory fuel rates apply to company-owned cars and serve two main purposes:

  1. Reimbursing your employees for business travel expenses incurred in a company car.  
  2. Managing reimbursements when your employees use a company car for personal travel and need to repay the business.  

Here are the advisory fuel rates for 2026:

Petrol

Engine size (cc) Mean MPG Fuel price (per litre) Fuel price (per gallon) Rate per mile Advisory fuel rate
Up to 1400 50.7 132.0 pence 600.1 pence 11.8 pence 12 pence
1401 to 2000 42.8 132.0 pence 600.1 pence 14.0 pence 14 pence
Over 2000 27.2 132.0 pence 600.1 pence 22.1 pence 22 pence

Diesel

Engine size (cc) Mean MPG Fuel price (per litre) Fuel price (per gallon) Rate per mile Advisory fuel rate
Up to 1600 55.7 141.3 pence 642.2 pence 11.5 pence 12 pence
1601 to 2000 49.6 141.3 pence 642.2 pence 13.0 pence 13 pence
Over 2000 36.6 141.3 pence 642.2 pence 17.5 pence 18 pence

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) 

Engine size (cc) Mean MPG Fuel price (per litre) Fuel price (per gallon) Rate per mile Advisory fuel rate
Up to 1400 40.6 89.0 pence 404.6 pence 10.0 pence 10 pence
1401 to 2000 34.2 89.0 pence 404.6 pence 11.8 pence 12 pence
Over 2000 21.7 89.0 pence 404.6 pence 18.6 pence 19 pence

Electric

From 1 March 2026, the advisory electric rates for fully electric cars are:

  • 7 pence per mile for home charging
  • 15 pence per mile for public charging
Charging location Electrical efficiency (miles per kWh) Electricity cost (per kWh) Rate per mile Advisory electric rate
Home charger 3.59 26.10 pence 7.26 pence 7 pence
Public charger 3.59 54.00 pence 15.02 pence 15 pence

 

How to reclaim VAT on fuel

If you’re VAT-registered, you can often reclaim the VAT you’ve paid on fuel costs. However, there are a few conditions:

  • Business use: the fuel must be used for business purposes. This could be for company vehicles or employee reimbursements for business mileage.
  • Accurate records: you’ll need to keep detailed records of your fuel purchases, including receipts and mileage logs. 

There are two ways you can reclaim VAT on fuel:

  • Reclaim all the VAT paid on fuel purchases and pay the appropriate fuel scale charge for your vehicle.  
  • Claim VAT only for the fuel used during business trips by maintaining thorough mileage records to demonstrate usage exclusively for business purposes.  

Expense compliance around carbon reporting

Business sustainability is a growing priority in 2026. From reducing carbon emissions to managing sustainable business spend, organisations are under increasing pressure to demonstrate measurable progress backed by reliable data.

In the UK, certain organisations are required to report their energy use and carbon emissions under Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR). This applies to quoted companies, as well as large unquoted companies and LLPs that meet at least two of the following criteria: 250 or more employees, £36 million or more in turnover, or an £18 million balance sheet total.

Where in scope, organisations are required to:

  • Track their carbon footprint by reporting Scope 1 (direct emissions) and Scope 2 (purchased energy) emissions
  • Disclose energy usage and include an intensity metric to measure performance over time
  • Provide narrative on energy efficiency actions taken during the reporting period

Many organisations also go further by assessing Scope 3 emissions across their supply chain and setting reduction targets, particularly where ESG reporting is a priority.

What you need to know about tax compliance 

When it comes to tax compliance, we know the number one question on your mind: are reimbursed expenses taxable in the UK? 
 
The short answer is no. If expenses are wholly, exclusively, and necessarily incurred in the performance of your job, they aren’t taxable. 
 
For example, if you’re a salesperson and your job requires you to travel to meet with clients. Any expenses you incur, such as travel costs, accommodation, and meal expenses, can usually be reimbursed tax-free. Are there any exceptions? Yes, if the expenses aren’t classed as “work-related”, or if they’re seen as providing a personal benefit. 

Here are a couple of examples:   

  • Excessive or extravagant expenses: if your expenses are deemed unreasonable or excessive, they may be considered taxable income.  
  • Personal expenses: reimbursements for personal expenses, such as commuting to and from work, are generally taxable. 

We know it can be tricky, but knowing the difference between deductible and non-deductible expenses can significantly impact your financial planning and tax liability.  What you need to know about corporation taxIf you’re setting up a limited company in the UK, you’ll need to register for corporation tax within three months of starting your business. This tax is applied to your company’s profits, investments, and any gains from selling assets.Here’s a breakdown of the 2026 rates:

  • Small profits rate (companies with profits under £50,000): 19%
  • Main rate (companies with profits over £250,000): 25%

What you need to know about National Insurance Contributions 

National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are essentially taxes on earnings that help fund state benefits like the NHS and State Pension. If you’re a business owner in the UK, you’ll need to understand the different types of NICs and how they apply to your business:

Class 1 NICs

  • Employee NICs: deducted from your employees’ wages. 
  • Employer NICs: paid by you, on top of your employees’ wages.

Class 1A NICs

Class 1A NICs are a type of tax that you pay on certain benefits you provide to your employees.

These benefits, often called “Benefits in Kind (BIK)” can include things like:   

  • Company cars: if you provide your employees with company cars, you’ll need to pay Class 1A NICs on the benefit value of the car.  
  • Private healthcare: if you offer private health insurance to your employees, you’ll also need to pay Class 1A NICs on the cost of the insurance.  
  • Accommodation: if you provide accommodation for your employees, such as a company flat or house, you’ll need to pay Class 1A NICs on the benefit value of the accommodation. 

Why you need to create an expense policy 

A company expense policy is like a roadmap to expense compliance. It outlines what expenses are reimbursable, how much you can claim, and what documentation you need to provide (for your company or HMRC). By having a clear and concise policy in place, you can make sure that your employees understand the rules and submit accurate expense claims. To help you get started you can download our free expense policy template. 

How to report your expense reimbursements to HMRC

You have a couple of options to choose from when reporting the reimbursement of expenses

  • You can use a P11D form to report your expenses and benefits to HMRC at the end of the tax year. 
  • You can opt for payrolling, where you include the value of the expenses and benefits in the employee’s pay.  

It’s worth noting that starting from April 2027, all BIKs that you provide (except for loans and living accommodation) will have to be reported and taxed through payroll.

Your 6-step guide to HMRC expense compliance

1. Understand the rules

2. Keep detailed records

  • Keep all receipts for expenses—no matter how small. 
  • Maintain a mileage log: if you use your car for business, keep a detailed record of your mileage. 
  • Document the business purpose: explain why each expense was necessary for your job.

3. Categorise your expenses

  • Clearly distinguish between expenses incurred for business purposes and those for personal use. 
  • Use appropriate expense categories (e.g., travel, accommodation, meals, office supplies).

4. Claim the right amount

  • Make sure that your expense claims are in line with HMRC’s rules and regulations. 
  • Only claim for reasonable and necessary expenses.

5. Submit your claims on time

  • Follow your company’s specific procedures for submitting expense claims. 
  • Don’t delay in submitting your claims to avoid potential issues. 

6. Choose an expense management system that fully complies with HMRC

A sophisticated expense management system like Capture Expense will help you automate the process, reduce errors, and comply with HMRC regulations.  You need to look for a system that can: 

  • Automatically calculate mileage claims based on HMRC rates 
  • Generate accurate expense reports 
  • Integrate with your accounting software 
  • Provide real-time insights into your spending habits 
  • Offer robust audit trails for expense compliance purposes 

Do you still need help with expense compliance?

Book a personalised demo today and we’ll help you with all your expense compliance needs. There’s not a mileage query we can’t handle, or a tax problem we can’t solve.

Expense Management Software Brochure

Unlock the power of real-time spending insights across your entire organisation. Dive into our brochure to discover how you can stay on top of reimbursements, bills, and credit card transactions as they happen, ensuring smarter financial decisions.

What You Need to Know About HMRC Meal Allowances

meal allowance HMRC

Most people love the perks of travelling for work—new places, new faces, and maybe even the occasional upgrade—but let’s face it, nobody enjoys the paperwork that follows.  

Fortunately, HMRC’s subsistence rates make claiming meal allowances a lot simpler for everyone involved.  

For employees, they eliminate the need to meticulously track and save every single receipt from their work trips (because they can claim a set amount for meals and snacks instead). 

For employers, the process is streamlined too. With clear, standardised rates, there’s no need to cross-check endless receipts or worry about overcomplicated expense claims. 

If you’re new to HMRC meal allowances, you’re in good hands. We’ll outline exactly what they are, the rates for 2026, and how to report them.

What is an HMRC meal allowance? 

The HMRC meal allowance, often called a “subsistence allowance,” is a set amount of money you can claim back from your employer (or company) when you’re working away from your usual place of work. It’s meant to cover the cost of meals, like lunch or dinner, during business trips or situations where you’re required to travel for work. 

The key is that the expense has to be “reasonable” and meet HMRC guidelines—so you can’t go all out on a five-course meal at a fancy restaurant, unless it’s within the limits set by your company’s expense policy. 

When do HMRC subsistence rates apply?

 HMRC subsistence rates apply when: 

  • You’re travelling away from your usual workplace for business purposes.
  • Your business trip requires you to be away for a significant part of the day or overnight.
  • You end up with extra costs, like meals or accommodation, because of the travel. 

Imagine you work in sales and have a client meeting in another city. You leave early in the morning and return late at night. During this time, you buy lunch at a café and dinner at a restaurant because you can’t go home to eat.  

You can claim these meal expenses as part of HMRC’s subsistence allowance, as long as they’re reasonable and meet the set guidelines. 

Is meal allowance taxable in the UK? 

No, meal allowances aren’t taxable in the UK. This has been the case since 1998, which means businesses can deduct these costs from their taxable incomepotentially leading to lower tax payments. 

Are there scenarios where HMRC meal allowances can’t be deducted?

Yes, meal allowances can’t be deducted if:

  • The expenses aren’t directly related to business activities. 
  • No actual meal or drink is bought. 
  • The meals are included as part of a training course, conference, or similar. 
  • The expenses are deemed excessive or lavish. 
  • The meals aren’t documented, or receipts are unavailable. 

The HMRC meal allowance rates for 2026

Here are the HMRC meal allowance rates for work-related travel within the UK: 

Minimum journey time  Maximum meal allowance 
One meal (5 hours)  £5 
Two meals (10 hours)  £10 
15-hour rule (when working after 8pm)  £25 
Supplementary late meal rate  £10

HMRC does not define benchmark rates by breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Instead, rates are based on the length and timing of the journey. If you are travelling and working over 8pm, you will receive £25, which can be broken down to cover each meal. 

For example: if you’re on a work trip and spend £4 on breakfast, £5 on lunch, and £12 on dinner, you’d still be within the £25 daily limit, since dinner can go up to £15. 

What about overnight stays?

If you’re required to stay overnight for business purposes you can claim up to:

  • £5 per night in the UK, and,
  • £10 per night oversees for incidental personal expenses. 

International meal allowance rates for 2026

If you’re travelling outside of the UK for work HMRC has a full list of recommended allowance rates by country. 

Here are a few examples of daily meal allowances in different countries, listed in their local currencies: 

Hong Kong  

Expense  Rates 
Lunch  HKD 253 
Dinner  HKD 429.50 
24-hour rate  HKD 816.50 (plus room rate) 

Singapore 

Expense  Rates 
Lunch  SGD 79 
Dinner  SGD 102.50 
24-hour rate  SGD 218 (plus room rate) 

France (Paris) 

Expense  Rates 
Lunch  €35.50 
Dinner  €42 
24-hour rate  €117 (plus room rate) 

Spain (Madrid) 

Expense  Rates 
Lunch  €29.50 
Dinner  €51.50 
24-hour rate  €114.50 (plus room rate) 

USA (New York) 

Expense  Rates 
Lunch  $27 
Dinner  $42 
24-hour rate  $102.50 (plus room rate) 

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How to report meal allowance to HMRC 

The way meal allowances are reported to HMRC depends on how they are paid and whether they meet HMRC’s qualifying conditions.

Where payments fall within HMRC benchmark or approved scale rates and relate to qualifying business travel, they can usually be paid tax-free and do not need to be reported.

If meal allowances are taxable or exceed HMRC’s approved rates, they must be reported. In these cases, a P11D form for each employee who received meal reimbursements. This form details all the expenses that were paid to your employees.  

Additionally, you might need a P11D(b) form to summarise the total expenses and work out any Class 1A National Insurance contributions due. 

You can find a complete guide to reporting expenses and benefits on the HMRC website. 

Also, keep in mind that starting from April 2027, all benefits in kind (including meal allowances) will need to be reported and taxed directly through payroll. 

What happens if you go over HMRC meal allowance rates? 

Let’s look at a real-world example to make it easier to understand. 

 Imagine Sarah, who works for a tech company, and she’s travelling for work in the UK.  

Her company follows the HMRC meal allowance rates for 2026 (which are £25 per day). On her trip, Sarah spends £35 on a meal—so it’s over the HMRC’s standard allowance by £10.

The company has two options in this situation: 

  1. Stick to the £25 HMRC rate: if the company chooses this option, they’ll only reimburse Sarah £25 for her meal. That means Sarah will have to cover the £10 difference herself. This is the simpler approach, as there’s no need for the company to worry about any additional tax or national insurance implications.
     
  2. Reimburse the full £35: if the company wants to reimburse Sarah the full £35 (the actual cost of the meal), that’s where things get more complicated. The company would have to make sure they’ve agreed on a higher, bespoke scale rate with HMRC. If they haven’t done this, then the £10 excess over the £25 is considered taxable income, and it would be subject to tax and national insurance.  

Want to keep all your expenses, including meal allowances, in one place? 

Whether you follow HMRC’s meal allowance rates or set your own limits for your employees, with Capture Expense you can easily submit, track, and manage all your expenses. Book a demo today to see just how easy it is. 

Expense Compliance in the UK

The information you need to make sure your business complies with HMRC guidelines across policies, tax, reporting, allowances, and more—bridging the gap between in-depth explainers and those that lack the extra context you need!

An Overview of Irish VAT Rates

irish vat rates

VAT is a key part of doing business in Ireland (like almost everywhere else in the world), but figuring out the right Irish VAT rates to charge (or claim back) can be trickier than it seems.   

With different VAT rates for different goods and services—not to mention exemptions—it’s easy to get lost in the details. 

Let’s break down the VAT rates in Ireland for 2026. 

What are the Irish VAT rates? 

Here are the Irish VAT rates for 2026: 

Standard rate  Reduced rate  Second reduced rate  Livestock rate  Flat-rate compensation percentage for Farmers 
23%  13.5%  9%  4.8%  5.1%  

To see how the rates have changed from previous years you can visit Revenue.

Now let’s take a closer look at each Irish VAT rate.

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The standard rate

The standard rate applies to most goods and services in Ireland.  

Here are some examples:  

  • Electronics (e.g. smartphones, laptops, TVs) 
  • Alcohol and tobacco products 
  • Jewellery and watches 
  • Cars and motorbikes 
  • Household appliances (e.g. washing machines, fridges) 
  • Cosmetics and beauty products 
  • Solicitor services 

The reduced rate

The reduced rate applies to the following:

  • Catering and restaurant supplies (excluding alcohol, soft drinks and bottled water) 
  • Hot take-away food, and hot tea and coffee 
  • Hairdressing services 
  • Certain fuels 
  • Repair services 
  • Cleaning and maintenance services  
  • Certain photographic supplies 
  • The importation of certain works of art and antiques 
  • Hire of horses 
  • Tour guide services 

Here’s the complete list of goods and services subject to Revenue’s reduced VAT rate. 

The second reduced rate

The second reduced rate only applies to items like newspapers, digital publications, and facilities for sporting activities. 

The zero rate

Some goods and services incur no VAT.  

The zero rate applies to the following: 

  • Exports 
  • Certain food and drink 
  • Certain oral medicine, non-oral medicine, and sanitary products 
  • Certain animal feeding stuffs, certain fertilisers, seeds and plants used to produce food 
  • Supply and installation of solar panels on private dwellings and recognised schools 
  • Clothing and footwear appropriate to children under 11 years of age 

Here’s Revenue’s full list of goods and services that qualify for the zero VAT rate in Ireland. 

The livestock rate

The livestock VAT rate applies to animals that are usually bred for food, like cattle, sheep, and pigs. It also covers certain horses—specifically those used in farming or food production. 

Stay on top of Irish VAT rates with Capture Expense 

Our smart expense management platform automatically applies the correct VAT rate to every transaction, so you don’t have to worry about miscalculations or compliance issues. Book a personalised demo today to see Capture Expense in action.

A Guide to Expense Compliance in Ireland

Expense Compliance in Ireland

The information you need to make sure your business complies with Revenue guidelines across policies, tax, reporting, allowances, and more—bridging the gap between in-depth explainers and those that lack the extra context you need!

Mileage Tracking 101: Simplifying Reimbursements for Remote Teams

mileage tracking

Mileage tracking is the process of recording the business distances employees drive so they can be accurately reimbursed—covering journey logging, distance calculation, rate application, and HMRC-compliant record keeping. But when you have to manage it across a remote workforce? That’s where most businesses run into trouble. 

When employees work across different cities or away from a fixed office, business journeys become harder to monitor. And if your teams still rely on spreadsheets and email chains to handle it, inflated claims, missed VAT reclaims, compliance risks, and delayed repayments are bound to happen. Want to get mileage tracking right? Look no further! 

This guide covers everything remote teams need to know about mileage tracking: the compliance basics, where manual processes break down, and how automation removes the admin entirely. 

HMRC mileage rules: everything you need to know 

Before diving into the practicalities, let’s first look at what HMRC actually requires when it comes to mileage tracking—because getting this wrong can be costly. 

Approved mileage allowance payments (AMAPs) 

HMRC sets approved rates for reimbursing employees who use their own vehicles for business travel. For the 2026/27 tax year, these are: 

  • Cars and vans: 45p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles, 25p per mile after that 
  • Motorcycles: 24p per mile 
  • Bicycles: 20p per mile 

If you reimburse above these rates, the excess is taxable. If you reimburse below them, employees can claim tax relief on the difference. If you need any more information, you can refer to HMRC’s official guidance. 

What records does HMRC require for mileage tracking? 

To be compliant, every mileage claim should include: 

  • The date of the journey 
  • Start and end points (that’s actual addresses, not just towns) 
  • The purpose of the journey 
  • The total miles travelled 
  • The vehicle used 

HMRC can request these records during an audit, and incomplete logs can result in disallowed claims and financial penalties. Keeping digital records, that are automatically generated and timestamped, is the safest and most efficient way to stay compliant.

The challenges of mileage tracking for remote teams 

Remote and hybrid working has introduced a new layer of complexity to managing mileage. Here are the most common pain points finance teams encounter:

1. Manual processes are prone to error 

When employees estimate distances themselves or rely on memory at the end of the month, it’s no shock that the figures aren’t accurate. Some underestimate; others overclaim without meaning to. Either way, your reimbursement data ends up unreliable.

2. Commute distance complications 

It is standard practice not to reimburse employees for commuting between home and office. But with remote workers making fewer in-office trips, identifying what counts as a business journey versus a commute becomes more complex. Without automated tools to deduct commute distance from claims, you risk reimbursing journeys that don’t qualify.

3. Cumulative mileage and changing rates 

HMRC’s Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs) apply a higher rate for the first 10,000 business miles and a lower rate thereafter. Tracking this threshold manually across a growing remote team—especially one spread across different vehicles and fuel types—can create a significant administrative burden on your finance teams.

4. Missed VAT reclaims

Many businesses don’t realise they can reclaim VAT on the fuel portion of mileage expenses. If your business is VAT-registered, you can recover the VAT element of the advisory fuel rate—but only if you have accurate mileage logs and supporting fuel receipts. Without proper records, that VAT goes unclaimed. 

How VAT Works on Mileage Expenses 

If your business is VAT-registered, you can reclaim the VAT on the fuel element of mileage reimbursements—but only if you have the right records in place. 

HMRC publishes advisory fuel rates quarterly, which vary by fuel type and engine size. These rates represent the fuel cost for each mile driven. Because VAT at 20% means one-sixth of the gross fuel cost is VAT, the reclaimable amount is calculated by dividing the total fuel cost by six. 

Here are three practical examples: 

  • Petrol car, 1,400cc: advisory rate 13p per mile: Employee drives 80 miles → fuel cost = £10.40 → VAT reclaimable = £1.73 
  • Diesel car, 2,000cc: advisory rate 17p per mile: Employee drives 80 miles → fuel cost = £13.60 → VAT reclaimable = £2.27 
  • Electric vehicle: advisory rate 7p per mile: Strictly speaking, there is no VAT to reclaim on electricity, but HMRC does publish an advisory rate for EVs to simplify reimbursement calculations. 

To reclaim this VAT, businesses need to maintain accurate mileage logs and retain fuel receipts as evidence. The VAT on the fuel receipts must cover the amount being claimed, and receipts must be dated before the mileage claim is submitted. 

Over a full year, across a remote team making regular business journeys, unclaimed VAT adds up significantly. It is one of the most commonly missed savings in expense management. 

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What good mileage tracking looks like 

Effective mileage tracking isn’t just about recording distances. It also needs to cover submission, review, reimbursement, and reporting. Here is what best practice looks like: 

  • Employees submit mileage claims on the go, including journey details such as start and end points, passengers, vehicle type, and purpose. 
  • Distance is calculated automatically—using reliable mapping technology—rather than left to the employee to estimate. 
  • Commute distance is automatically deducted from any applicable claims. 
  • The shortest route is enforced to prevent inflated mileage submissions, with manual adjustments flagged and tracked. 
  • Claims flow through a customised approval workflow before reimbursement is processed. 
  • Reimbursements are pushed directly to payroll or directly to bank, with no manual data entry. 
  • Travel logs are stored automatically and are always available for HMRC audit purposes. 

What mileage tracking software can do for remote teams 

The right mileage tracking software handles the full complexity of mileage management automatically—removing the admin burden from your team and reducing the risk of errors across the board. 

Automated, accurate distance calculations 

Good mileage software integrates directly with mapping tools to calculate the exact distance between journey start and end points, with no estimation required. Employees can submit claims quickly using postcode lookups, and some platforms, like Capture Expense, even allow journeys to be logged on the go via mobile apps or messaging tools, which is particularly useful for field-based or remote workers.  

Automatic commute deductions 

The software should also allow employees to set default home and office locations. From that point, any commute distance is automatically calculated and deducted from mileage claims—keeping reimbursements accurate and HMRC-compliant without requiring any manual intervention. 

Cumulative mileage tracking across thresholds 

Your mileage platform will track how far each employee has travelled over a given period and automatically applies the correct AMAP rate when thresholds are reached. No calculators needed! This is particularly important for year-to-date tracking beyond 10,000 miles and for businesses operating across multiple countries, where different rate structures may apply. 

Flexible, customisable mileage rates 

Most platforms allow you to use built-in HMRC-approved fuel rates or configure your own. Vehicle records can be set up based on fuel type, engine size, and company policy—and assigned to specific employees or teams. The best solutions support mileage tracking across multiple countries, with rates applied based on location of travel. 

Built-in controls to prevent inflated claims 

Well-designed mileage software enforces the shortest possible journey by default, reducing the risk of employees overclaiming. Any manual adjustments to routes are tracked and visible to approvers, giving finance teams full visibility without having to chase paper trails. 

Fast, seamless reimbursements 

Once claims are approved, reimbursements can be pushed directly to payroll or paid straight to an employee’s bank account via integrations with your existing finance tools. No manual data re-entry. No delays. Just happier employees who get timely reimbursements. 

Beyond reimbursements: mileage tracking and carbon reporting 

Mileage data isn’t just useful for reimbursements. For businesses with sustainability goals—or those subject to UK and EU carbon reporting requirements—every mile your team drives generates data that can feed directly into your environmental reporting. 

Software like Capture Expense tracks carbon emissions alongside every business mile, using the trusted DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) methodology. This means your carbon footprint from vehicle travel is calculated automatically at the transaction level, without any additional admin. It also allows you to generate monthly, quarterly, or yearly carbon reports and review emissions data in real time to make smarter, greener decisions about your team’s travel. 

With environmental regulations continuing to evolve in both the UK and EU, having this data built into your expense workflow—rather than tracked separately—puts you in the ideal position to make proactive sustainability decisions.

Make mileage tracking work for your team 

Mileage tracking is one of those business processes that looks simple on the surface but quickly becomes complex at scale—especially with a remote or hybrid workforce. 

The good news is the right software can handle it all automatically, saving your finance team hours of admin, reducing the risk of errors and compliance issues, and making sure that your people are reimbursed accurately and on time. 

Capture Expense’s mileage tracker is built to do exactly that. From Google Maps integration and automatic commute deductions to VAT support, carbon reporting, and direct payroll integration—it covers the full picture, so you don’t have to. 

Book a demo today to see Capture Expense in action, or explore the vehicle mileage feature in more detail. 

expense management software

Find out more about Capture Expense

We’re so much more than just an app to track your business expenses. From saving days reconciling your credit cards to getting customised insights in an instant with your finance copilot, here’s everything you need to know about Capture Expense.

A Guide to VAT on Expenses in Ireland

vat on expenses ireland

Reclaiming VAT on expenses in Ireland might not be the flashiest part of running a business—but for VAT-registered companies, it’s a valuable way to keep costs down and stay compliant with Revenue. 

For many businesses, keeping track of receipts, categorising expenses correctly, and calculating reclaimable VAT can quickly become time-consuming. This is where expense management software can help, by automatically capturing receipts, tracking spend, and organising VAT-eligible expenses so finance teams can simplify reporting and stay compliant.

Let’s take a look at the VAT rates, how to reclaim VAT on business expenses in Ireland, and some of the most frequently asked questions.  

The VAT rates in Ireland

Here are the Irish VAT rates for 2026:

Rate  Type  Goods and services 
23%  Standard rate  Most goods and services, including electronics, vehicles, household items, luxury goods, and professional services. 
13.5%  Reduced rate  Items and services like catering (excluding drinks), hot take-away food, hairdressing, certain fuels, repairs, cleaning, photographic supplies, and some art imports. 
9%  Second reduced rate  Only applies to items like newspapers, digital publications, and facilities for sporting activities.  
4.8%  Livestock rate  Animals that are usually bred for food, like cattle, sheep, and pigs. 
0%  Zero  Exports, specific food, medicine, sanitary products, farming supplies, solar panel installations, and children’s clothing and footwear. 

 Who can reclaim VAT on expenses in Ireland?

If you run a business in Ireland and you’re registered for VAT, you can usually reclaim the VAT you’ve paid on business-related purchases and expenses.  

This includes things like office supplies, equipment, or travel expenses—as long as they’re used to make taxable supplies (that is, goods or services that are subject to VAT). 

But there are some exceptions. You can’t reclaim VAT on things used for: 

  • Exempt supplies (like some financial or medical services) 
  • Non-business activities (like personal use) 

If an expense relates to both business and non-business use, or taxable and exempt supplies, you can only reclaim the portion that’s directly linked to the taxable business activity. 

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How do you reclaim VAT on expenses in Ireland? 

To reclaim VAT on expenses in Ireland, you need to complete a VAT return, known as the VAT 3 form 

This is typically submitted every two months and includes details of the VAT you’ve charged your customers and the VAT you’ve paid on eligible business expenses. 

If the VAT you’ve paid on expenses is higher than the VAT you’ve collected, you can claim the difference back as a VAT refund. 

The bi-monthly VAT return deadlines 

VAT period  Deadline 
Jan – Feb  23 March 
Mar – Apr  23 May 
May – Jun  23 July 
Jul – Aug  23 September 
Sep – Oct  23 November 
Nov – Dec  23 January 

How to claim VAT on fuel expenses in Ireland 

Let’s say you run a small business in Galway, and one of your employees—Pauline—regularly uses a company van to deliver products across the west of Ireland. 

Each time she fills up, she brings back a fuel receipt that shows the supplier’s VAT number, the VAT charged, and the date.  

Because the van is company-owned and used solely for business, you’re entitled to reclaim the VAT on those fuel costs when submitting your VAT 3 return. 

To do this, you’ll need: 

  • A valid VAT invoice or receipt (a till receipt with VAT details is fine) 
  • Proof that the vehicle is used only for business 
  • Accurate records in case Revenue request them 

FAQs 

Can I reclaim VAT on meals, entertainment, or gifts?  

You generally can’t reclaim VAT on meals, entertainment, or gifts, as these are seen as personal or non-business expenses. That said, there are a few exceptions—like when the cost is directly linked to providing taxable goods or services, or if it’s part of a promotional campaign. But in most cases, Revenue takes a strict view, so it’s best to double-check the specifics or speak to a tax advisor before trying to claim anything back. 

What happens if I make a mistake on my VAT return? 

If you make a mistake on your VAT return, don’t panic—it happens! The key is to fix it as soon as you spot it. If it’s a small error (under €6,000), you can usually correct it in your next VAT return. Bigger mistakes, or ones that result in an underpayment, should be disclosed to Revenue straight away, ideally with an explanation. Being upfront can help reduce any penalties or interest charges, and Revenue tends to look more favourably on businesses that own up early rather than waiting to be caught. 

How far back can I claim VAT on past expenses in Ireland 

You can usually claim VAT on past expenses going back up to four years from the end of the relevant VAT period. Just make sure you’ve got the proper documentation to support the claim (like a valid VAT invoice), and that the expense was genuinely for business use. 

Are you looking to claim VAT on expenses in Ireland without the usual hassle?  

Capture Expense makes it easy. It keeps all your receipts in one place, helps you spot what you can reclaim, and takes the stress out of staying compliant with Revenue.  

No more digging through paperwork or second-guessing what qualifies—just a simple, streamlined way to get your VAT back and keep your finances in order. Book a personalised demo today to see Capture Expense in action.    

A Guide to Expense Compliance in Ireland

Expense Compliance in Ireland

The information you need to make sure your business complies with Revenue guidelines across policies, tax, reporting, allowances, and more—bridging the gap between in-depth explainers and those that lack the extra context you need!

Guidance on HMRC Record Keeping in the UK

HMRC record keeping

HMRC can fine you up to £3,000 per tax year for inadequate records—and that’s before any additional tax assessments or penalties that follow. For most business owners, poor HMRC record keeping isn’t a deliberate choice; it’s something that quietly gets out of hand when there’s no clear system in place. 

Whether you’re a sole trader, a partnership, or a limited company, the requirements are largely the same: keep accurate, complete, and accessible records that show exactly what’s coming in and going out of your business. Get it right, and tax returns become straightforward, compliance checks become manageable, and you have real visibility over your financial performance. 

This guide covers what you need to keep, how long to retain it, and how to manage it efficiently.

Legal requirements and timeframes for HMRC record keeping 

Let’s start with the basics—how long do you need to keep your records? HMRC’s requirements vary depending on your business structure and the type of records you’re dealing with. 

Retention periods by business type 

  • Limited companies: Keep records for at least 6 years from the end of the financial year they relate to. 
  • Sole traders and partnerships: Keep records for at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline for the relevant tax year. 
  • VAT records: Generally, retain for 6 years. 

You may wish to keep records longer than the minimum, especially if you are aware of ongoing or potential disputes, investigations, or claims.  

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What do you need to keep? 

You must keep records that allow you—and HMRC—to accurately calculate your tax liability. If it documents money coming in or out of your business, it should be retained for HMRC record keeping. 

Sales and income records 

You’ll need detailed records of all the income your business receives. This includes sales invoices, receipts, and credit notes—both the copies you’ve issued to customers and any originals you’ve received—along with bank statements and deposit slips. Beyond day-to-day trading income, you’ll need to document income from grants, investments, or other non-trading sources, and keep records of any goods or services you’ve provided through barter transactions (non-monetary exchanges). 

Purchase and expense records 

If you want to claim tax deductions, you’ll need to document all your business spending. That means keeping purchase invoices from suppliers, receipts for cash purchases and expenses, and bank and credit card statements. You should also maintain petty cash records with supporting receipts, along with receipts for business mileage, accommodation, and subsistence. You’ll also need to hold on to records of goods you’ve bought for resale, equipment and asset purchase documentation, and details of any professional fees you’ve paid to accountants, solicitors, or consultants. 

Employment records 

If you’ve got people on the payroll, you’ll also need to keep comprehensive employment records. This covers everything from employee personal details and tax codes to payroll records showing gross pay, deductions, net pay and PAYE (Pay As You Earn) records.  

VAT records 

If your business is VAT-registered, there are some extra records you’ll need to keep: 

  • Your VAT account showing total VAT charged and paid 
  • VAT invoices you’ve issued and received (these need to meet HMRC’s requirements) 
  • Credit and debit notes 
  • Import and export documentation 
  • Records of exempt or zero-rated supplies 
  • Any adjustments and corrections you’ve made to VAT returns 
  • Records relating to the VAT Flat Rate Scheme, if that’s relevant to you 

Asset and inventory records 

You’ll also need to keep detailed records of your business assets and stock. This includes fixed asset registers, stock and inventory records (including opening and closing stock values), records of any assets you’ve disposed of or sold, stocktake documentation, and work-in-progress records if you’re in manufacturing or construction. 

Other records you might need 

Depending on what your business does, you might also need to keep: 

  • Mileage logs with dates, destinations, purposes, and distances 
  • Records of home office expenses and calculations for business use of your home 
  • Contracts and agreements with suppliers, customers, and partners 
  • Insurance policies and certificates 
  • Loan and finance agreements 
  • Correspondence with HMRC and other authorities 

Format and storage options for HMRC record keeping

Good news—HMRC’s pretty flexible about how you keep your records. The key thing is that they need to be accessible, readable, and ready to produce if HMRC asks for them. 

Paper records 

Traditional paper-based record keeping is still absolutely fine. If you’re going down this route: 

  • Store documents somewhere secure and dry, protected from fire, flood, and general wear and tear 
  • Organise things chronologically or by category so you can find what you need 
  • Use filing systems with clear labels 
  • Think about digitising important documents as a backup 
  • Make sure any receipts printed on thermal paper are photocopied, as they fade over time 

Digital records 

Digital record keeping is becoming more popular, and for good reason—it’s usually more practical. HMRC’s happy with digital records as long as they meet certain standards: 

  • Records need to be kept in a format that HMRC can easily access and read if they ask. 
  • Scanned documents should be clear and readable—ideally at 300 DPI or higher. 
  • Use consistent file naming and folder structures (your future self will thank you). 
  • Set up regular backup procedures—automated ones are best. 
  • Store backups in multiple locations, including off-site or in the cloud. 
  • Make sure you’ve got digital security sorted—that includes passwords, encryption, and access controls.  
  • Once you’ve digitised a paper record, you can get rid of the original unless there’s a legal reason to keep it. 

Software and cloud solutions 

Accounting software or cloud-based solutions can take a lot of the hard work out of keeping your records in order. Bank feeds pull transactions in automatically, receipts can be attached directly to records, and reports are generated at the click of a button—all accessible from any device. Many platforms also offer expense management app integrations that connect expense capture with accounting, payroll, and finance tools. Security and backup features are built in as standard, and using recognised software will keep you compliant with Making Tax Digital requirements. What’s not to love? 

For businesses managing employee expenses, a dedicated tool like Capture Expense can fill a gap that general platforms often leave. Your team can capture receipts at the point of spend via mobile, with automated data extraction handling the details instantly. Everything is stored securely with a clear audit trail—making it straightforward to evidence your expense records if HMRC ever asks. 

What happens if you don’t keep proper records 

Failing to keep adequate records—or destroying them too early—can result in penalties of up to £3,000 per tax year. 

HMRC may also issue estimated tax assessments, disallow expense claims, or extend compliance investigations. Poor records make disputes harder to defend and can increase your tax exposure. 

Best practices for HMRC record keeping 

Getting into good record keeping habits early on saves you time, cuts down on stress, and keeps you compliant. Here are some practices that’ll make your life easier: 

Separate business and personal finances 

Keeping your business and personal finances separate is probably the single most important thing you can do for clean HMRC record keeping. Even if you’re a sole trader, opening a dedicated business bank account makes everything significantly clearer, and pairing it with a separate business card for expenses removes any ambiguity about what is and isn’t a business cost. If you absolutely have to use personal funds for a business expense, make sure you document it clearly and reimburse yourself properly rather than letting it blur into the background. 

It’s also worth making sure that personal transactions never creep into your business expenses in the first place. Automated expense policies can help with this by enforcing your rules at the point of spend, ensuring that no personal purchases accidentally filter through into your business records. 

Record transactions quickly 

Staying on top of transactions makes a huge difference, and having the correct software in place to manage them can make things much easier to manage. AI expense management software can make it easy to record transactions at the point of purchase, with features like receipt scanning making sure that nothing gets left in your wallet or piling up on desks. Mobile apps even allow teams to snap receipts as soon as they get them, with automation generating all the data necessary to make an expense claim. No typing, and no mistakes. 

Keep supporting documentation 

When it comes to documentation, the details really do matter. Hold onto receipts for all business expenses, no matter how small, and get into the habit of noting the business purpose on receipts, particularly for meals, entertainment, or gifts, where HMRC may want to understand the context. This is another area where expense management software shines as it automatically sorts your receipts for you, giving you visibility of what documents correlate with each business purpose.  

You should also keep any correspondence related to transactions, especially for anything large or unusual, and hang onto contracts and agreements that explain ongoing payments. If you use estimates or calculations, such as business use percentages for a vehicle or home office, document how you arrived at those figures.  

Sort out backup and security 

Protecting your records is just as important as creating them. A reliable approach is to follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: three copies of your data, stored on two different types of media, with one copy kept off-site. Automated backup solutions are far more dependable than relying on memory, so set these up and let them run in the background.  

It’s also worth testing your backups periodically to confirm they actually work—a backup you’ve never tested is a backup you can’t trust. On the security side, encrypt sensitive financial data, use strong and unique passwords for your accounting software, and update them regularly. Enable two-factor authentication wherever it’s available, and be mindful about who has access to your financial records. Limiting access to those who genuinely need it reduces the risk of errors and unauthorised use. 

Review and reconcile regularly 

Regular maintenance is what keeps your records accurate and makes sure that small problems don’t quietly grow into larger ones. Things like reconciling your bank accounts every month and reviewing your profit and loss statement help to make sure nothing slips through the net and spot anything that looks out of the ordinary. 

Scheduling quarterly reviews is also good practice as it gives you the chance to prepare for upcoming tax deadlines and deal with any issues well before they become a problem. 

HMRC record keeping checklist 

Good record keeping is absolutely fundamental to running a compliant and successful business in the UK. While the requirements might seem like a lot at first, getting solid systems in place from the start makes everything manageable—and brings benefits that go way beyond just ticking the compliance box. 

  • Retain records for 5–6 years depending on business type 
  • Keep documentation for all income, expenses, VAT, and payroll 
  • Make sure records are accurate, complete, and accessible 
  • Use structured systems and secure backups 
  • Review and reconcile regularly 
  • Seek professional advice where needed 

Capturing records with Capture Expense 

Digital expense management tools can simplify HMRC record keeping compliance by capturing receipts at the point of spend, storing documentation securely, and maintaining an audit trail. 

If you’d like to see how Capture Expense could work for your business—whether that’s simplifying expense claims, improving your audit trail, or just taking one more thing off your plate—get in touch. We’re always happy to talk through what might work best for you. 

Capture Expense Brochure

Unlock the power of real-time spending insights across your entire organisation. Dive into our brochure to discover how you can stay on top of reimbursements, bills, and credit card transactions as they happen, ensuring smarter financial decisions.

Civil Service Mileage Rates in Ireland for 2026

civil service mileage rates

We know why you’re here. You want the civil service mileage rates in Ireland for 2026. So, without further ado.  

The civil service mileage rates for 2026

Here are the civil service rates for mileage allowance in Ireland for 2026, set by Revenue, effective from 1st September 2022.  

The rates vary depending on the type of vehicle, which includes cars, motorcycles, or bicycles. They also depend on the distance bands and the mileage allowance rate in euros per kilometre.  

Civil service motoring and bicycle rates

Cars (rate per kilometre)

Motor travel rates (from 1 September 2022) 

Distance band  Engine capacity up to 1200cc  Engine capacity 1201cc – 1500cc  Engine capacity 1501cc and over 
Up to 1,500 km (Band 1)  41.80 cent  43.40 cent  51.82 cent 
1,501 – 5,500 km (Band 2)  72.64 cent  79.18 cent  90.63 cent 
5,501 – 25,000 km (Band 3)  31.78 cent  31.79 cent  39.22 cent 
25,001 km and over (Band 4)  20.56 cent  23.85 cent  25.87 cent 

For electric vehicles, mileage claims will follow the rate applicable to engine capacity 1201cc-1500cc. 

Reduced motor travel rates per kilometre 

Engine Capacity up to 1200cc  Engine Capacity 1201cc to 1500cc  Engine Capacity 1501cc and over 
21.23 cent  23.80 cent  25.96 cent 

Reduced mileage rates apply to work-related journeys that aren’t solely for job performance. Examples include attendance at approved courses or conferences. 

Motorcycles (rate per kilometre) 

Motorcycle rates (from 5 March 2009)  

Distance  Engine capacity up to 150cc  Engine capacity 151cc – 250 cc  Engine capacity 251 cc – 600 cc  Engine capacity 601cc and over 
Up to 6,437 km  14.48 cent  20.10 cent  23.72 cent  28.59 cent 
6,438 km and over  9.37 cent  13.31 cent  15.29 cent  17.60 cent 

Bicycles

Bicycle rates (from 1 February 2007) 

Rate per km  8 cent 

 

Staying compliant

Now, onto the nitty gritty.

In this guide, we’ll tackle the intricacies of car mileage allowance in Ireland for 2026. From what constitutes a business journey and how to calculate it, to submitting a compliant mileage claim.

Join us as we equip you with everything you need to know about civil service mileage rates in the Emerald Isle.
 

What is a business journey and how do you calculate it? 

A business journey refers to travel undertaken by an employee for work-related purposes. Specifically, when they travel from one place of work to another place of work as part of their duties.

This encompasses: 

  • Travel between different countries, such as between Ireland and other countries. 
  • Travel to a location that is not their usual place of work.

It’s worth noting that a business journey does not include commuting from home to the normal place of work and vice versa; this is considered private travel.

 Calculating the distance for business travel 

When calculating the distance for business travel, the relevant distance is the lesser of: 

  • The distance between the employee’s home and the temporary place of work. 
  • The distance between the employee’s normal place of work and the temporary place of work. 

Let’s take a look at an example: 

Imagine that the distance from your employee’s home to a temporary workplace is 50 km. And that the distance from their normal workplace to the temporary one is 30 km.

The business travel distance will be: 30km (the lower of the two distances). 

What’s not included in the mileage allowance?

Not all trips are eligible for reimbursement under the civil service mileage rates in Ireland.

The most common trips which aren’t included are

  • Personal trips that aren’t directly related to your employee’s job. 
  • Trips between your employee’s home and their regular workplace. 

How to submit a mileage allowance claim in Ireland

To be reimbursed for business-related vehicle expenses, your employees must complete a claim form provided by the company or Revenue. They must also submit evidence of the journeys made in their personal vehicle.

Your employees should keep the following evidence: 

  • Receipts for petrol 
  • Receipts for parking tolls 
  • Any additional receipts pertaining to vehicle usage 
  • Addresses visited during travel 
  • Purpose of each journey 
  • Recorded kilometres driven to and from business travel destinations

You must maintain accurate records of all your employees’ claims and provide full evidence to ensure compliance and avoid issues with Revenue.

It’s worth noting that if you have already reimbursed an employee’s expenses at civil service mileage rates, no additional tax relief will be applicable to the employee. 

How to keep track of your mileage expenses 

It’s essential for both you and your employees to maintain precise records of all work-related trips.

Failure to do so could result in Revenue requesting that these payments be treated as taxable income.

The required records include:  

  • Name 
  • Address(es) visited during travel 
  • Date(s) of the work trip 
  • Purpose of the journey  
  • Distance travelled 
  • The trip’s originating point, planned destination, and final destination 
  • Documentation for reimbursement (e.g., receipts or mileage rate) 

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FAQs

What is classed as normal place of work?

The normal place of work is where employees usually carry out their job duties. It’s typically where the employer provides the necessary resources for them to work. This might vary depending on the employee’s role. Generally, the normal place of work is not considered the same as where the employee lives. This is unless there’s an objective requirement for them to work from home because their tasks cannot be done elsewhere. If an employee chooses to work from home or if the tasks performed there are minor or administrative, it’s not considered their normal place of work. 

Are sole traders eligible to claim mileage?

Sole traders are not eligible to claim mileage using the civil service mileage rates. Instead, they can only claim for the actual expenses they incur, such as fuel, motor tax, motor insurance, hotels, and related expenses. To do this, sole traders should keep detailed receipts for the business portion of these costs. This ensures that their claims are accurate and compliant with tax regulations. 

Do the civil service mileage rates apply to emergency travel?

Yes, the civil service mileage rates do apply to emergency travel.

When an employee needs to work outside their normal hours to address emergencies requiring immediate attention, you can repay their travel expenses. This includes mileage, which can be reimbursed using the civil service mileage rates.

This reimbursement is tax-free and can be claimed for up to 60 emergencies per year. However, it does not apply to non-emergencies such as covering for absent staff, handling increased workloads, or attending routine events. 

Do the civil service mileage rates apply to voluntary work? 

Yes, organisations with altruistic and non-commercial functions, such as registered charities or sports bodies, can repay travel expenses to individuals working voluntarily and unpaid.  

These expenses are tax-free as long as they are necessary for the individual to perform their work and do not exceed the actual costs incurred. However, the payments must not exceed the civil service rates.

Never miscalculate mileage claims with Capture Expense

Capture Expense ensures compliance with Ireland’s civil service mileage rates by managing cumulative mileage bands and automatically calculating the correct reimbursement rates based on fuel type, engine size, and distance travelled.  

Our platform seamlessly integrates with Google Maps to accurately calculate your employees’ travel distances. It automatically selects the shorter route from either your employee’s home or their normal place of work. This ensures full compliance with Revenue’s guidelines. 

Allow your people to raise, submit and approve their vehicle expenses at any time, from any location through the Capture Expense app and streamline the way your organisation manages spend. Book your personalised demo now.  

A Guide to Expense Compliance in Ireland

Expense Compliance in Ireland

The information you need to make sure your business complies with Revenue guidelines across policies, tax, reporting, allowances, and more—bridging the gap between in-depth explainers and those that lack the extra context you need!

A Guide to Expense Compliance in Ireland for 2026

Revenue is putting more and more effort into helping businesses of all sizes follow their rules and establish good financial practices. However, understanding expense compliance can still be tricky, and the penalties for mistakes can be serious. 

To help you better understand and comply with Revenue’s guidelines, we’ve created this comprehensive guide. Here, you’ll find clear and practical advice on claiming and processing expenses in Ireland, ensuring you stay on the right side of the regulations while maximising your financial efficiency.

Whether you’re a small startup or a large corporation, this guide aims to illuminate the path to seamless expense compliance in Ireland. 

How to make sure your business complies with Revenue 

Many people think Revenue inspectors only care about completed expense claims and receipts, but they actually review your entire travel and expense process.

The 6 key areas Revenue inspectors focus on

1. A clear and enforced policy

Make sure your business has a clear expense policy that all employees understand and follow.

2. Appropriate approval processes

Ensure that the right people are approving expenses at the right levels.

3. Appropriate documentation

Keep detailed records of all receipts and expense forms.

4. Appropriate checks and controls

Implement checks and controls to prevent errors and fraud. Regularly review these controls to ensure they are effective.

5. Tax and VAT compliance

Ensure that all expenses comply with tax and VAT regulations. You need to keep up to date with any changes in these regulations.

6. A robust and secure payment process

Use secure methods for reimbursing employees. Ensure payments are processed accurately and on time.

The VAT rates in Ireland

VAT is a general consumption tax that is charged directly on the sale of goods and services in Ireland.

Here are the rates for 2026:

Rate  Type  Goods and services 
23%  Standard  All other taxable goods and services 
13.5%  Reduced  Some foods, pharmaceutical products, children’s car seats, energy products and supplies, supply and development of immovable goods. 
9%  Reduced  Some foods, newspapers, admission to cultural events, admission to sports facilities, hairdressing. 
4.8%  Reduced  Livestock and agricultural supplies.
0%  Zero  Some foods, animal feed, medical equipment, children’s products. 
4.5%  Reduced  Flat-rate compensation percentage for farmers 

It’s also worth noting that the supply of some services, such as financial, medical and educational services, are exempt from VAT. 

Who can reclaim VAT?

If you are selling goods or services that are subject to VAT, or you are involved in qualifying activities, you can reclaim VAT.

To do this, you need to submit a VAT 3 return. However, you cannot reclaim VAT on goods or services used for making exempt supplies or for non-business activities.  
 
For costs that relate to both taxable and non-taxable activities, you can only reclaim the VAT portion related to your taxable supplies.  
 
It’s also worth mentioning that you have up to four years to claim a VAT repayment.

What VAT can you not reclaim?

You cannot reclaim VAT on the following costs, even if you are registered for VAT and make only taxable supplies: 

  • Food, drink, or personal services for you, your agents, or employees (unless part of a taxable service) 
  • Food, drink, accommodation, or entertainment included in advertising costs 
  • Petrol (unless used as stock-in-trade) 
  • Contract work involving non-deductible goods 
  • Goods subject to a margin scheme 
  • Costs for property used for non-business purposes 

Civil service mileage rates in Ireland

You can reimburse your employees for using their personal vehicles for business journeys. This does not include commuting from home to their normal place of work.

You have the option to either reimburse the actual travel expenses incurred by the employee or provide a fixed mileage allowance per kilometre. 

Here are the new civil service rates for mileage allowance in Ireland for 2026, effective from 1st September 2022. 

Civil service motoring and bicycle rates

Cars (rate per kilometre)

 

Motor travel rates (from 1 September 2022)

Distance band  Engine capacity up to 1200cc  Engine capacity 1201cc – 1500cc  Engine capacity 1501cc and over 
Up to 1,500 km (Band 1)  41.80 cent  43.40 cent  51.82 cent 
1,501 – 5,500 km (Band 2)  72.64 cent  79.18 cent  90.63 cent 
5,501 – 25,000 km (Band 3)  31.78 cent  31.79 cent  39.22 cent 
25,001 km and over (Band 4)  20.56 cent  23.85 cent  25.87 cent 

For electric vehicles, mileage claims will follow the rate applicable to engine capacity 1201cc-1500cc.

 

Reduced motor travel rates per kilometre

Engine Capacity up to 1200cc  Engine Capacity 1201cc to 1500cc  Engine Capacity 1501cc and over 
21.23 cent  23.80 cent  25.96 cent 

Reduced mileage rates apply to work-related journeys that aren’t solely for job performance. Examples include attendance at approved courses or conferences. 

Motorcycles (rate per kilometre)

Motorcycle rates (from 5 March 2009) 

Distance  Engine capacity up to 150cc  Engine capacity 151cc – 250 cc  Engine capacity 251 cc – 600 cc  Engine capacity 601cc and over 
Up to 6,437 km  14.48 cent  20.10 cent  23.72 cent  28.59 cent 
6,438 km and over  9.37 cent  13.31 cent  15.29 cent  17.60 cent 

Bicycles

Bicycle rates (from 1 February 2007

Rate per km  8 cent 

If you’re interested in learning more about Civil Service Mileage Rates and how to calculate mileage claims click here.  

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The civil service subsistence rates for 2026

Rates for assignments within the State

Overnight allowance

Domestic overnight subsistence rates (from 29th January 2025

Rate category  Rate 
Normal rate  €205.53  
Reduced rate  €184.98  
Detention rate  €102.76  

  

The overnight allowance applies to assignments lasting up to 24 hours. The assignment must be at least 100 kilometres from your employee’s home and regular workplace. 

The rate category is determined by the duration of the assignment:

• The normal rate applies for up to 14 nights.
• The reduced rate applies for the following 14 nights.
• The detention rate applies for each of the next 28 nights. 

For assignments exceeding 56 nights, your employee must apply to Revenue to confirm that subsistence is still available.

The period of subsistence at any single location is limited to six months. 

Day allowances

Domestic day subsistence rates (from 29th January 2025) 

Period of assignment  Rate 
Ten hours or more  €46.17  
Between five and ten hours  €19.25  

 The assignment must be more than eight kilometres from your employee’s home and normal workplace. It’s also worth noting that they can only claim both a day and overnight allowance if they work five hours or more the next day. 

Rates for assignments outside the State

Short term assignment 

Subsistence rates for short term assignments 

Period of assignment abroad  % of normal overnight rate 
First month  100% 
Second and third month  75% 
Fourth, fifth and sixth month  50% 

 These rates can be applied to a single temporary assignment abroad lasting up to six months. 

Long term assignment

A long-term assignment lasts over six months. During the initial month, you can provide subsistence at the overnight rate to help your employee find self-catering accommodation. For the rest of the assignment, you can cover reasonable accommodation costs and 50% of the ten-hour day rate.

If you have remote working expenses

You can make a payment of €3.20 per workday to a remote working employee without deducting:

This payment is to cover expenses incurred such as broadband, heating and electricity costs. 

And for expenses higher than €3.20 per workday 

Your employee’s daily expenses might go over €3.20, and you can reimburse them for these costs. However, if the amount exceeds €3.20 per workday, you need to deduct tax from it.  
 
Make sure to keep records of all the payments made.

What you need to know about Enhanced Reporting Requirements

Starting January 1, 2024, your finance teams in the Republic of Ireland must adhere to updated payment reporting regulations; known as Enhanced Reporting Requirements (ERR). These regulations enhance transparency in expenditure but present challenges for timely compliance. The new reporting requirements are introduced by Section 897C of the Finance Act 2022.

What needs to be reported?

 

1. Small benefit exemption: you need to report the date paid and the value of the benefit.

2. Remote working daily allowance: report the total number of days, amount paid, and date paid.

3. Travel and subsistence payments: report the date paid and amount for each payment under the following categories:

  • Travel (vouched and unvouched) 
  • Subsistence (vouched and unvouched) 
  • Site-based employees (including ‘country money’) 
  • Emergency travel 
  • Eating on site

How to report this

  • Payments must be reported to Revenue at the time of payment or in advance.
  • Submit reports via the Revenue Online Service (ROS), either manually or using accounting or ERP software.

What you need to know about digital record-keeping

In Ireland, you can go paperless by storing receipts digitally instead of keeping paper copies.

However, you must follow certain requirements to comply with the rules on storing, maintaining, transmitting, reproducing, and communicating records electronically.

One example of these requirements is ensuring the scan quality is high enough for the receipt to be easily readable.

You can find all the necessary requirements in Revenue’s Electronic Storage manual. 

4 easy steps to comply with Revenue

Here’s a very brief overview of what you need to do to make sure your business is fully compliant:

Step 1: designate specific individuals at appropriate levels to approve expenses

  • Make sure that each expense is reviewed and authorised by someone with the appropriate level of authority and responsibility within your organisation, thereby maintaining accountability and preventing misuse of funds. 
  • Ensure even the highest-ranking employees submit their expenses for approval.
     

Step 2: maintain a traceable audit trail

  • Make sure that every expense is logged and traceable from submission to approval and reimbursement. 

Step 3: keep valid evidence

  • Always obtain valid VAT receipts and credit card slips for expenses.
  • Attach these receipts to the corresponding expense claims.

Step 4: find an expense management system that fully complies with Revenue’s regulations 

  • It is essential to identify an expense management system, like Capture Expense, that ensures complete compliance with all of Revenue’s regulations.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your business meets Revenue’s requirements and is prepared for an inspection. 

The expenses software for total Revenue compliance

Get all the features and functionality you need to keep your employee expenses compliant, in one central platform. Book a demo to see Capture Expense in action. 

Expenses Software for Total Revenue Compliance

Bringing reimbursements, bills and credit card transactions together in one platform for total Revenue compliance, reduced admin, and more cost savings.