Tax Relief on Expenses
 

Hi there

Is there a set figure used in airlines for claiming tax relief on items required to carry out the job i.e. make up , dry cleaning etc for cabin crew. I believe the pilots have a set figure of around 750 pounds for their expenses.

If not how much have you been able to claim as I believe you can backdate for a number of years therefore it could be quite significant.


Cheers

Flat Rate Expenses Claim
 

Hi the figure set by the Inland Reenue for Cabin Crew flat rate expenses is £420.00 per year and you have to claim through your Airlines tax office / district, it takes between 6-15 weeks and you can clam for a maximum of 4 years. Hope this helps.

Cheers thanks for the reply. I was under the impression you could claim for the previous 6 years but I may be wrong.

You can claim for the six tax years prior to the current one so at present (12/10/08) you can claim back to the year ending 5 April 2003, BUT, the Flat Rate Expense (FRE) you are referring to may not have been in place for all those years. I will check tomorrow and post again.

Sorry, this is all news to me and I'm a bit confused.....does this mean all CC can claim this money? If so, how come I've never heard about it although I've been flying for 3 years? Can somebody explain in more detail what it's all about please?

Thanks!

A Flat Rate Expense (FRE) is a standard amount, agreed by HM Revenue and Customs and relevant Trade Unions, for certain professions that add an allowance to your tax code (if you are a UK tax payer) to allow for certain employment related expenses. I can't remember the actual amount for cabin crew but an earlier post mentioned £420 and this sounds about right. Like I said, I'll check tomorrow, and also when it was brought in and post again tomorrow night, and how to claim it (it's easy).

Just a note - you don't get £420, it's tax relief of £420 so, if you are a basic rate taxpayer you'll get 22% of £420. What's that? Just over a £100? It's late and I haven't got my calculator.

Did some reading up at work today. Apparently, and unfortunately, there is no national Flat Rate Expense for Cabin Crew. There are local agreements with some airlines and their tax offices which give some cabin crew fixed amounts so a quick letter to your tax office (their name should be on your P60, or your payroll department will be able to tell you. Remember to include your National Insurance Number on any letter.) will tell you if this is the case. If it isn't you could ask your payroll department to contact their tax office and try to arrange one?

Alternatively, is there a union for Cabin Crew? If there is you could badger them to approach HMRC and negotiate a national rate.

Please note: This is my personal opinion, I am not a licensed financial advisor. For a definite answer drop a line to your tax office - they can be quite freindly really!

arandcee & DAVID ELLIOTT

have you got a link or anything to clarfy the FRE for cabin crew? can only find the one for pilots on hmrc website. trying to sort out the G/Fs tax.

thanks very much and have a good xmas