UK Government cuts two years off the entitlement period for construction workers' travel expenses claims
(14/01/2010)

The UK Inland Revenue has paid out millions of pounds to construction workers for travel expenses claims going back up to six years. Soon that is all set to change and anyone who may still be entitled to claim over that period may lose out. At the end of January the claim period will be reduced to five years, with a further cut to four years at the end of April.

Said Jan Post of tax claims specialist Rift: “with almost no warning at all, the Government has decided to cut two years off the entitlement period – a step that could save the Revenue millions of pounds but which will cause hardship to many.

“This year a considerable number of our clients have been victims of the recession, which has been particularly severe in the construction industry. Thousands of workers have been laid off, made redundant or are struggling to pick up work here and there. Many of these people are experiencing severe financial hardship – even to the extent of losing their homes. A refund of just £1,000 can make a huge difference.

There are literally thousands of construction workers who, because they are paid on PAYE and use their own transport to travel from site to site, are entitled to refunds on their travel expenses but have never made a claim. In some cases it is because the idea of a long drawn out and complicated battle with bureaucracy is just too daunting – although with expert help it really is very easy. But often workers are simply unaware that they are entitled to this money.

It is still not too late to make a six year claim, but time is running our rapidly as the initial paperwork must be submitted to the Revenue by 31st January.