Work Travel Expense Deduction Flight Upgrades

meowsers on 20/04/2023 - 11:57
Last edited 20/04/2023 - 11:57

A question for the esteemed accountants among us.

The company has tightened their belts surrounding business class travel on work trips. However I am very tall and need the room so I'll be paying the difference or paying for upgrades.

I'd like to start upgrading my flights or choosing seats for a fee, and saving the receipts for tax purposes.

From what I read surrounding this topic, it appears that there is no issue with deducting travel expenses that are not reimbursed by the employer on work trips. I always follow the travel diary rules etc.

The ATO doesn't really care how you travel (economy vs business etc) but just wondering how to best document / evidence these deductions.

Any ideas or comments?

here's what I've searched so far:
https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Income-and-deductions/Ded…
https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/income-and-deductions/ded…

Financial

Comments

  • bobbified on 20/04/2023 - 11:59

    but just wondering how to best document / evidence these deductions.

    Don't you have a receipt from the airline with the details and a transaction from your credit card account or something similar? That'll be enough.

    • meowsers on 20/04/2023 - 12:19

      Yes I sure do just making sure I didn't need some other obsucre paperwork. The ATO seems to be very vague around "airfare"

      • bobbified on 20/04/2023 - 12:28
        +2

        Generally, if you've spent something on a legitimate work expense, then you can claim it.

        They don't look at (and don't care) whether it's economy or business class. Some companies pay for business class tickets for their staff all time and claim like they would any other expense.

        Don't do your upgrades using points though - things are a little different from the tax point of view when upgrades/flights are done via points redemption.

        • meowsers on 20/04/2023 - 12:35
          +1

          Thanks, I'll definitely pay via cash. I don't get reimbursed for upgrades etc but it's worth it for a 12 hour trip.

          We used to get business class, which is why I figured if they can deduct it I probably can too.

          • bobbified on 20/04/2023 - 12:38
            +3

            @meowsers: Whoa - they won't pay business class for a 12 hour trip? How do they expect you to be fresh and ready to work after a 12 hour flight?

            A few companies changed it from a 6 hour minimum to book business class to 8 hours, but 12 hours in economy is a bit of a stretch for a work trip.

  • deme on 20/04/2023 - 12:09

    However I am very tall and need the room so I'll be paying the difference or paying for upgrades.

    If you need it then tell them it's an accessibility issue.

    • meowsers on 20/04/2023 - 12:36
      +3

      Unfortunately they would just send someone else. I'd rather just suck it up and pay the difference.

      • deme on 20/04/2023 - 13:24

        ouch

      • geekcohen on 20/04/2023 - 14:15
        -2

        Suck it up and deal with all the headaches that go with air travel, no thanks. I'd be happy not to go. Commute to the airport, airport crap (security clearing etc) and then taxi to wherever and back, flight home and then commute back home. No thanks.

        If they really wanted you to go, they would pay for the seat and if they were extra nice, a driver to and from the airport. That is what my company does anyway. Picks you up at home and takes you to the airport. Picks you up from the airport and drops you back at home.

        • meowsers on 20/04/2023 - 14:20

          They pay for everything, meals, driver etc.

          Just not the business class. Also don't earn miles, only status credits due to negotiated fares.

      • Donaldhump on 20/04/2023 - 14:36
        +1

        awesome, who wants to travel for work anyway.

        pick me up at my house with a taxi at 8am no earlier. business class and nice hotel, or no deal. send another person.

  • jv on 20/04/2023 - 13:46
    -1

    just wondering how to best document / evidence these deductions.

    Instagram

    • meowsers on 20/04/2023 - 14:05

      love it.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 20/04/2023 - 14:22

    You can get extra legroom in economy…

    • meowsers on 20/04/2023 - 14:23

      Yes but then the seats can be narrower on some flights especially if you are in an exit row or at a bulkhead due to the tray table being built in.

      • Tee Rex Arms on 20/04/2023 - 14:24

        And on some flights they’re not. Choose your seat appropriately.

        • meowsers on 20/04/2023 - 14:26

          I use seatguru etc, and flyertalk to suss out good seats. However I prefer a lie flat seat as well. Even some business pods (MH) are too short for me. SQ bulkhead business is great for me because it's a bit wider and longer.

          I almost never do Y/Y+ if I can help it just for comfort alone.

  • Donaldhump on 20/04/2023 - 14:35
    -1

    i'd just refuse to fly if i was told go in economy if > 2 hrs. you work for a business after all, not a charity.

    same applies if you put me in a hotel that is a dump.

    if a company wants you to travel for work it has to be at a better standard than your own home and on their time.

    no 4am pickups for a 6/7am flight, no weekend travel, no hotels with a tv from the 1990s, or no wifi.

    i just hate work travel, unless its to some where ripper like mongolia or north korea, where i haven't been.

    only places i ever have to go is adelaide, melbourne, sydney … i do not want to go to them ever again

    • Pootie Tang on 21/04/2023 - 12:56

      Did you not enjoy those cities due to daylight savings and the inability to milk cows at the correct time combined with the devestation unleashed on your blinds?

      • Donaldhump on 24/04/2023 - 10:28

        yes bro its the day light savings that kills me in qld, that is the most lethal insult I have ever copped.

        no i hate those cities because after 50+ visits to each of them it is a tad uninteresting.

        only a push over would get up at 4am to fly interstate for work, unless your getting paid and chauffeured to airport, and put in a nice hotel.

        if the CEO flies business then so should the peons. company doesn't want to pay then fine don't fly me

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