HMRC releases the most ludicrous business expense claims of 2016

Being self-employed can come with certain perks – managing your own time, being your own boss and, apparently, claiming questionable items on expenses.

HMRC recently released a list of the most ludicrous claims that self-employed professionals have attempted to write off as business expenses – The Telegraph reports. Last year saw people ask for tax breaks on “Armani jeans as ‘protective clothing’ for painter and decorator”, “international flights for dental treatment ahead of business meetings” and even “pet food, for Shih Tzu ‘guard dog'”.

Ruth Owen, HMRC's Director General of Customer Services, told The Telegraph: “Year after year we receive a number of ludicrous expense claims, ranging from international holiday flights to expensive designer clothing, which we would never uphold.

“Why should the honest taxpayer pick up the bill for others? HMRC will only accept those claims which are genuine, such as legitimate travel expenses or the cost of tools for the job.