Travel allowances and ‘LAFHAs’

The ATO has released a Ruling explaining:

• when an employee can deduct accommodation and food and drink expenses when travelling on work;
• the FBT implications, including the application of the ‘otherwise deductible rule’, where an employee is reimbursed for accommodation and food and drink expenses, or where the employer provides or pays for these expenses; and
• the criteria for determining whether an allowance is a ‘travel allowance’ or a ‘living-away-from-home allowance’ (‘LAFHA’) benefit.

Whether accommodation and food and drink expenses are deductible depends on the facts and circumstances of each case, so the Ruling uses examples to show how to determine the deductibility of these expenses in a range of situations.