To ask DH to change jobs because of work car?

[itseasybeingcheesy]

I really don't know whether there's a better category for this but please do tell me if you're an Uber expert on tax and work benefits.

DH got a new job in January in the property sector he took it because there was talk of redundancies at his old job and because he really wanted to get into this branch of work and start a career.

The job involves a lot of driving. We weren't told much about the logistics of this other than you'll be covering this region and we provide the car, you get petrol and parking expenses back.

Fast forward four months, he loves job and is doing well. Makes bonuses every month. We are still struggling a bit money wise because I took a lower paid job to get out of a career that was making me ill. We get by but aren't managing to save. We have another baby on the way.

His work finally get around to telling him he needs to put the car in his name for tax as everyone else does and then call HMRC to tell them that. HMRC then immediately deduct about £5000 of his personal tax allowance and we are facing being a couple of hundred pounds worse off each month. Add to this that he only gets back 11p per mile on petrol and we are majorly in the hole on living expenses and struggling even more.

I'm super worried about finances and ask DH to start looking for another job to remedy this situation. He is gutted. Understandably. And is exploring transferring internally within his company but this kind of moves him to the side of the career he wanted.

AIBU? Any other solutions to this gaping hole in our finances other than changing jobs? Would appreciate the perspective of others who have to use a work car and the impact on their income.

There's no right or wrong, you're in a difficult situation.

It's beyond difficult trying to find a job you love and are genuinely happy in so it's a big ask to suggest he changes jobs, however, money makes the world go round so rather than demand he leaves just make it clear you want him to be happy but he needs to find a suitable way around this situation.

That way it's his responsibility to provide that solution.

If you force his hand he may well do what you want but he will resent you and possibly his life with you so don't risk it.

Does he go to different work places every day?
DH has a company car, a 2l diesel. He can only claim 11p per mile. That is really tight, considering the present fuel prices, but he spends a lot of time in the car; it's basically his office. He does 30,000 miles + per year. We did look at taking the allowance and providing our own car, but we'd've had to provide a replacement car if ever our car broke down or was being serviced.

DH is absolutely scrupulous about claiming all his mileage. I couldn't do it, but he does his daily and never lets it build up. Does your DH do that?

My husband took the cash and did the car privately himself because of this reason.
They really don’t make it obvious that they screw you on tax

Can’t you do the marriage tax allowance? It transfers some of your tax free percentage to your husbands income so he doesn’t get taxed so much.

Drvonpatak. I agree.if you can't meet financial obligations in spite of a change of job with improved wage and bonuses then consideration has to be given what the money is being spent on. And another who has children they can't afford. I know I too will be lamblasted

I’ve had a company car for over ten years. Yes your tax code lessens but you don’t lose £5k per year. I have a 2l mondeo diesel and it only cost me deductions of no more that £130 per month. As for a company card to pay fuel or use a credit maybe with a benefit to it and claim your fuel every week? Decline the car and ask for an allowance some of my friends get up to £600 per month but obviously get taxed on that

Can he give the car back and travel for his role by public transport? This would be fully expensed. He should also crunch the numbers to his boss, pitch the success he has had in the role and ask for the amount that makes it viable to do. It costs around £3k to recruit for a £30k job right now, they may not jump with joy but a well thought out and presented pitch should get some movement. Also, look into the benefits provided in detail, could you be leveraging any discount for things like shopping? I get my whole shopping budget and buy a pre paid gift card from my work, saves 8% on my shopping. congratulations on DC3

If he uses a tank of fuel a week that's at least 350 miles, and around £45-50 of fuel. He should be claiming at least £38 of that. So over a month he should be claiming around £160. Yet you're suggesting he only gets half of that...

Is he including his return journeys on his claim? The forms usually require separate entries.

So not Reading to London 120 miles

But Reading to London 60 miles
London to Reading 60 miles.

If he only puts the former, it will calculate the mileage as 60 miles and he'll only be paid one way. If this isn't the issue he needs to query how much he's getting for fuel.

NotThatsimple sorry - been off line for a couple of days . The benefit in kind system still applies .OP you need to check using this calculator cccfcalculator.hmrc.gov.uk/CCF0.aspx and also check exactly how mileage is calculated by the company, as previous posters have said you are losing out here too. Try talking to colleagues about how things work in practice before complaining to the manager . You have to understand how both elements work before you can see if you can a) work the ‘system’ better or b) ask for changes

I'm not sure moonlighting on maternity leave is allowed? Surely you are being paid maternity pay on the assumption you cannot work. Plus looking after a small baby and the rest of the family is a full time job.

@TwistinMyMelon You are allowed to work another job on mat leave provided it started after ML commenced.

”You are allowed to work another job on mat leave provided it started after ML commenced.”

Many employment contracts would prohibit this, so you can’t possibly state with any certainty that this is possible.