What Expenses Can I Claim As A Company Director
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What Expenses Can I Claim As A Company Director?
Many company directors are unaware that they can claim a range of business-related expenses through their limited company, potentially reducing their personal costs while ensuring the company receives the appropriate tax relief. Understanding what qualifies as an allowable expense is essential to ensure compliance.
In this guide, we outline the most common expenses company directors can claim, the conditions that apply, and the records you should keep to support your claims. Whether you are a new director or reviewing your current arrangements, understanding the rules can help ensure you are claiming all available entitlements while remaining fully compliant.
Two tests to keep in mind
A useful starting point is that the expense must be genuinely business-related. For the company, the cost should be incurred for the purposes of the trade. For the director, any tax-free reimbursement must be properly vouched and relate to the duties of the role.
What expenses are most commonly claimed?
1. Business travel and subsistence
• Mileage for business journeys
• Flights, trains, taxis and parking for business trips
• Hotel accommodation when travelling for business
• Meals and subsistence while away on business
Business travel can be reimbursed tax-free where the journey is genuinely for business and suitable records are kept, such as the date, reason for the trip, distance travelled, and start and finish points.
Not allowable: normal commuting between home and your regular place of work.
2. Home office and e-working costs
Where a director works from home, there are two routes:
• The company can pay a remote working daily allowance of up to €3.20 per day worked at home, free of PAYE, PRSI and USC. Anything above €3.20 per day is taxable.
• Alternatively, the director can claim Remote Working Relief personally on the actual cost of electricity, heating and broadband, apportioned for the days worked at home. Any allowance paid by the company must be deducted from that claim
3. Mobile phone and internet
• Business phone bills
• Business broadband
• Business-related software subscriptions
Phone, broadband and software costs can be claimed where they are used for the business. If there is both business and personal use, only the business element should be reimbursed or claimed.
4. Professional fees
• Accountancy fees
• Tax compliance fees
• Legal fees relating to the day-to-day business
• Business consulting fees
Professional fees can be allowable where they relate to the company’s business, such as accountancy, tax compliance, legal or advisory work. Personal costs, including a director’s personal tax return, should not be treated as a company expense.
5. Training and professional development
• Courses related to your current role
• Conferences and seminars
• Industry training
Training for an entirely new trade or profession is generally not allowable, as it is not incurred in the performance of the existing duties.
6. Equipment and office costs
• Laptops and computers
• Mobile devices
• Office furniture
• Printers
• Business software
• Stationery
Office equipment and supplies can generally be claimed where they are used for the business. Day-to-day items such as stationery are normally claimed when incurred, while larger items such as laptops or office furniture may be treated as capital items for tax purposes.
7. Business insurance
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Public liability insurance
• Employers’ liability insurance
• Office and equipment insurance
8. Marketing and advertising
Costs incurred to promote the business are normally allowable, including:
• Website development and hosting
• Social media advertising
• Search advertising
• Branding and design services
• Printed brochures and business cards
Website development costs of an enduring, capital nature may instead qualify for capital allowances rather than an immediate deduction.
9. Professional memberships and subscriptions
Professional memberships and subscriptions can be claimed where they are relevant to the company’s business and the director’s role. Personal memberships, such as gym or social club fees, should not be treated as business expenses.
Examples of non-claimable expenses
• Personal living expenses
• Ordinary clothing (protective clothing and uniforms are allowable)
• Family or personal travel
• Entertainment of clients and customers – specifically disallowed for corporation tax
• Normal commuting costs
• Personal meals
• Personal tax liabilities
As a general rule, expenses with a personal element should be treated carefully. Personal living costs, normal commuting, private meals, family travel and ordinary clothing are not normally allowable business expenses.
Why careful record keeping matters
Good records are essential. Directors should keep receipts, invoices, mileage logs, subsistence records and bank statements so that expense claims can be supported if Revenue asks to review them.
How can DBASS help?
Understanding what expenses can and cannot be claimed through your company can be challenging, especially as Revenue rules continue to evolve. Claiming expenses incorrectly can lead to additional tax liabilities, interest, penalties and unnecessary stress in the event of a Revenue audit.
At DBASS, we help company directors maximise legitimate business expense claims while ensuring full compliance with Revenue requirements. We can assist with:
• Identifying allowable business expenses
• Setting up efficient expense recording systems
• Reviewing director expenses and reimbursements
• Preparing company accounts and tax returns
• Ensuring your records are Revenue-compliant
Whether you are a newly incorporated company or an established business, our team can help you manage your finances efficiently and ensure you are claiming all the expenses you are entitled to.
Contact DBASS today on 01 849 8800 or email info@dbass.ie to discuss your business and tax requirements.
This article is for general guidance only and does not constitute tax advice. Rates and thresholds are those applying at the date of publication.
