Doing a quick google search threw this, (Not sure if this would be of much help)
https://www.gov.uk/employer-reporting-e ... pensations
Above link goes onto say it is not required for the employer to let HMRC know if the dispensation was for regular business travel. So propbably it was treated as a benefit and not considered taxable income ?
Pg 21 states of the
Tier 1 policy guidance states,
100. Earnings may include, among other things:
• allowances (such as accommodation, schooling or car allowances) that form part of
your remuneration package;
Pg 22 states:
Allowances
102. We will only include allowances (such as those for accommodation or schooling for your
children) in the assessment of your previous earnings if they are part of your
remuneration package and are not paid to reimburse you for money you have
previously spent.
103. We will only accept allowances as earnings if they are declared in your payslips and there
is a contractual obligation on the employer’s part to make these payments.
Pg 21 also states:
101. Unearned sources of income that we will not consider as previous earnings include:
• expenses (such as accommodation, schooling or car allowances) that reimburse
you for money you have previously spent;
So in essence if it is an expense you couldn't have claimed for it as earnings as they are not part of the remuneration. However if the 8000 pounds was a benefit (or allowance) which was part of your remuneration, you should be OK.
How was the 8000 pound claim paid out to you. What does it say in your payslip ?
Also you mentioned you filed returns for all years, do you mean you filed your Self Assessment ? Did you have to do this in spite of being a permanent employee ? As far as I am aware you are only required to file your SAs if you had other income apart from your regular income from permanent employment or if you were self-employed or director of your own limited company.
